How do I transfer from a community college to a UC school?

I'm thinking about starting at a community college because it's more affordable, but I want to transfer to a UC school later on. What are the main requirements I should focus on to successfully transfer?

Transferring from a community college to a UC school can be a strategic and cost-effective way to achieve your academic goals. The University of California system has a well-established route for community college transfer students, and they even reserve a certain number of spots just for these transfers.

First, you'll need to make sure you meet basic eligibility requirements for transfer. You should have at least 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of UC transferable college credit. Be aware that no more than 70 semester/105 quarter units of lower-division courses can transfer, but any additional units would still be used to determine admission eligibility.

You'll also be expected to maintain a GPA of 2.4 or higher for California residents (or 2.8 for non-residents). Some majors and campuses may require a higher GPA, so it's important to look specifically at the major you're planning to pursue.

Next, you should fulfill the "7-course pattern" requirement, which involves two transferable college courses in English composition, one transferable college course in mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning, and four transferable college courses from at least two of the following subject areas: arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and physical and biological sciences.

Also, keep in mind that it's important to complete prerequisites for your intended major. Each UC campus and each major has its own set of required courses that you should take before transferring. These are often foundational courses within your major’s field. For example, if you're planning to major in biology, you may need to take introductory courses in biology and chemistry at the community college before transferring.

You can also benefit from the UC's Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program which provides guaranteed admission to one of six UC campuses (UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, and UC Santa Cruz) to students at participating California community colleges. Each TAG program has its own set of criteria, so it's important to review those guidelines. If you meet the criteria and submit a TAG application within the given time frame (generally in the fall one year before you plan to enroll), you could secure your admission early.

Lastly, you should have a thorough interaction with your academic advisors both from your community college and from the UC school you are aiming to transfer to, as they can provide you with the most updated and accurate information about your transfer process.

So in summary, plan your courses wisely, maintain a good GPA, and make use of resources like the TAG program to streamline your transfer process. It might seem daunting at first, but with proper planning and guidance, you'll be well on your way to a UC campus.