Guaranteed UC transfer via Pierce College – is it worth it?

I'm residing near Pierce College and heard they have a guaranteed transfer program to UC schools. Has anyone used this pathway, and what was your experience? I'm particularly curious about credit transfer and major requirements.

Sure, it seems you're asking about the UC Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program. The TAG program provides a streamlined pathway for students at California community colleges, like Pierce College, to guarantee admission into one of the UC institutions.

Firstly, it's important to note that not all UC schools participate in the TAG program. As of now, six UCs -- Davis, Irvine, Merced, Riverside, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz -- offer guaranteed transfer pathways for students from California community colleges. So, if you're interested in transferring to UCLA, UC Berkeley, or UC San Diego, the TAG program won't apply to you.

How does TAG work? It's quite simple. You need to attend a community college in California for a minimum of two years, and you must complete 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are transferable to UCs. This typically includes general education requirements and prerequisites for your intended major.

Of course, the requirements for each major differ at each institution. For some majors, all prerequisites must be completed prior to transfer, while for others only a portion of the prerequisites must be complete. The UC Transfer Admission Planner (TAP) helps students track their progress towards meeting these requirements.

In terms of your question about credit transfer, given that the program lays out specific requirements for transfer admission, including coursework, it stands to reason that credits earned towards completion of these requirements at Pierce College would be transferable.

Personally, I think the TAG program could be a great option. It provides a lower risk, less expensive pathway to earning a degree from a UC school. It might be a particularly viable path if you missed out on admission to one of these schools out of high school or you're looking to save money on tuition fees for the first two years of your degree.

It's recommended that you connect with a counselor or the transfer center at Pierce College to get more details on this program and how it can be tailored for your specific needs and goals.