I'm currently at Skyline College and thinking about transferring to a CSU. What requirements should I be aware of? I want to make sure I have a clear understanding of what’s needed.
To transfer from Skyline College to a CSU (California State University), there are a few main criteria that you should focus on:
1. GPA: Traditionally, the CSU system requires a minimum GPA of 2.0. However, this is the absolute minimum requirement. A higher GPA will improve your chances, especially for more competitive campuses or majors.
2. Completion of Lower-Division General Education Units: California's community colleges and the CSU system have an agreement that allows you to complete the first two years of general education at the community college level. Doing this will fulfill lower-division GE requirements for CSU. This option is called the CSU GE-Breadth.
3. Completion of Major Pre-requisites: Many majors at CSU have lower-division pre-requisite courses that you should complete before transferring. These are often part of the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT), but not always, especially for more specialized majors. Skyline College's Transfer Center can help guide you on which courses to take, or you can consult the website ASSIST.org which provides a comprehensive list of these courses based on major and CSU campus.
4. Completion of 60 Transferable Units: To apply as an upper-division transfer student, you will need to complete 60 transferable semester units (or 90 quarter units) by the time you transfer.
5. Good Academic Standing at Previous College(s): You must also be in good academic standing at your last college or university i.e., not on suspension or disqualified.
One piece of advice often given is to have backup CSU campuses in mind. Some campuses and majors are in high demand and may have additional requirements or higher GPA thresholds. So, preparing for multiple options will help ensure successful transfer. Good luck with your transfer process!
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