How do guaranteed transfer agreements work for students coming from junior colleges in California? I'm curious about transferring to a four-year university and want to know what the process entails and what requirements need to be met.
Guaranteed Transfer (TAG, Transfer Admission Guarantee) programs provide community college students in California with a clear pathway to transfer into certain four-year colleges in the state. They involve agreement contracts between the student and the university, promising admission to the school, as long as certain requirements are met.
Firstly, you will need to complete a minimum amount of transferable units at your community college. The specific number varies between universities, but it's generally around 60 semester or 90 quarter units.
Secondly, you need to maintain a certain GPA. The specific requirement varies from school to school but typically ranges from 2.4 to 3.4 on a 4.0 scale. Some programs may also specify that no grade can be lower than a C in major prep or GE courses.
Next, it's also common to ask you to fulfill general education or major-specific coursework. These could be specific core classes related to your intended major, or satisfying the general education breadth requirements for transfer.
It's also worth noting some institutions may ask you to complete the TAG program application, usually a year before you plan to enroll at the four-year institution. It usually needs to be done alongside your regular University of California or California State University application.
Lastly, not all campuses or majors are available for TAG, especially at highly competitive schools or programs. In the UC system, UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC San Diego do not participate in the TAG program.
To ensure you meet all the requirements, it's crucial to work closely with your community college counselor. They can help guide you through the process, making sure you're on track to fulfill your TAG contract.
Remember, participating in the TAG program doesn't stop you from applying to other schools via the regular transfer process, and can be a good way to have a guaranteed option while still trying for other schools.
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