El Camino College Transfer to CSU Requirements

What are the specific transfer requirements if I want to transfer from El Camino College to a CSU? I'm a bit overwhelmed by the information and would love some advice from anyone who's done it or knows the process.

Transferring from a California Community College like El Camino College to any CSU (California State University) campus is a process designed to be as smooth as possible. However, it's important to follow each step carefully:

1. Units: You should complete a minimum of 60 CSU-transferable semester units (90 quarter units). Out of those, at least 30 units should tackle general education (GE) requirements with grades of 'C' or better.

2. Golden Four Requirement: Students must also complete the "Golden Four" in general education courses with a 'C' grade or better. These include Oral Communication (speech), Written Communication (English composition), Critical Thinking (logic or argument development course), and Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning.

3. GPA: To be eligible for transfer, you'll need to maintain a GPA of at least 2.0 or higher. Although this is the minimum, some more competitive CSUs and majors require higher GPAs for consideration.

4. Major Specific Courses: Depending on the major you want to transfer into, there may be prerequisite courses required. It's best to approach an academic advisor to plan these out.

5. Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT): If possible, consider completing an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT). An ADT simplifies the transfer process between California community colleges and CSU campuses by guaranteeing admission into a CSU campus, albeit not necessarily to the exact campus or major desired.

6. Recommended: You should also visit ASSIST.org, a student-transfer information system that presents data on how course credits can be applied when students move from a California Community College to a CSU or UC campus. You will be able to see what courses at El Camino align with course requirements at your desired CSU campus and can plan out your courses accordingly.

7. Application Timeline: Plan to submit your CSU application during the filing period, which typically falls between October and December for fall admission and between August and September for spring admission.

Remember, every CSU campus may have slightly different degree requirements and course offerings, so it's worth investing some time speaking to an academic counselor or the transfer center at El Camino College. They can help guide your course selection based on the specific CSU campus and program you're aiming for.