Hi! I'm studying at Mesa College and hope to transfer to a CSU. What are the key requirements and steps I need to follow? I'd appreciate tips from anyone who's been through this.
Hey there! It's definitely a process, but by taking the right steps, you can definitely make your goal a reality.
First, you need to check whether you meet the CSU transfer requirements. For California community college students looking to transfer, CSU requires that you have 60 transferable semester units with at least a 2.0 GPA. Also, you need to complete the Golden Four Requirements, which include a course in Oral Communication, Written Communication, Critical Thinking, and Mathematics.
Next, you’ll want to create an educational plan with a counselor at Mesa College. Having a solid plan in place will ensure you’re on the right track to completing the necessary coursework for transfer.
You should also take advantage of the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) also known as a Degree with a Guarantee. This is an agreement between California Community Colleges and CSU schools that guarantees students who earn specific associate degrees will be guaranteed admission to the CSU system, with junior standing.
Start investigating specific CSU campuses and what they offer. This will help you shortlist your options and determine where you would like to apply. The quality of programs, campus culture, location, size, and other factors could all play into your decision.
Remember to fill out the FAFSA as early as possible to see if you qualify for any financial aid. The FAFSA opens October 1st each year.
The application for CSU schools opens in October and goes until the end of November for the following fall admission. Make sure to apply within this window or you won't be considered!
Lastly, be aware that some CSU campuses or programs may have additional criteria for admission. For example, popular majors might be "impacted" and require a higher GPA or additional prerequisite courses. And while CSU is test-blind and doesn't consider SAT or ACT scores, certain impacted programs may require additional factors such as portfolio reviews, auditions, or specific coursework.
Hope this helps, and best of luck with your transfer journey!
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