How to Transfer Community College Credits to a UC?

I'm considering transferring from a community college to a UC school. Can someone explain the transfer process? I'm a little worried about whether all my credits will be accepted, so any tips would be great!

Transferring from a California Community College to a University of California (UC) campus follows a very systematic process designed to make the transition as smooth as possible for students like yourself. Here are the main steps:

1. Identify Articulation Agreements: The first thing you'll want to do is understand the articulation agreements between your community college and the UC schools you're interested in. These agreements map out which courses at your community college are equivalent to the courses at the UC campus, ensuring that your credits transfer directly toward your intended major or general education requirements.

2. Complete IGETC: You can help secure the transfer of general education courses by completing the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC), a series of courses that community college students can follow to satisfy lower-division general education requirements at UC schools.

3. Follow a Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG): Six UC campuses offer guaranteed admission to community college students who meet specific requirements. If you choose this path, you’ll need to complete a specific set of courses and maintain a certain GPA.

4. Apply for admission: Just like when applying as a freshman, you’ll need to apply. This will involve writing responses to Personal Insight Questions unique to transfer students.

Before transferring, it's advisable to meet with an academic advisor at both your community college and potential UC campus to discuss your course schedule, making sure you're fulfilling all necessary prerequisites and requirements.

Do remember that you need at least 60 semester units (90 quarter units) to transfer. The good news is that UC schools give the highest priority to California Community College transfer students.

Lastly, keep in mind that not every credit may transfer over, especially if the course in question isn’t part of the articulation agreement and doesn't have a direct equivalent at the UC school. Hence, your meticulous planning and consultation with academic advisors are key in ensuring the maximum number of credits can be transferred.