How do I transfer to UCLA from a community college?

I'm currently attending a community college and aiming to transfer to UCLA. What steps should I take to ensure a successful transfer, and are there specific requirements or tips I should keep in mind?

Navigating the transfer process can be challenging, but being proactive about understanding the requirements and process can make things much smoother. Here's a roadmap.

- GPAs for Admitted Transfers: UCLA, being one of the most competitive public universities in the US, requires an impressive GPA. The average GPA of admitted transfer students is usually around 3.7, but some majors may require higher GPAs.

- Assured Admission: Look into the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program, which offers guaranteed admission into one of the campuses in the UC system to community college students who meet certain eligibility requirements.

- Major Preparation: Nearly all successful applicants complete two semesters in English composition and one semester in college-level mathematical concepts. More importantly, you should focus as much as possible on completing major preparation for your intended major. This is crucial for UCLA due to its competitive nature.

- General Education: Complete as many of the general education requirements (also known as breadth requirements) as you can prior to transfer. These general education courses cover a broad range of subjects and help in broadening your academic experience.

- Complete 60 semester/90 quarter units: In order to be a transfer student, you must have this. UCLA puts a lot of weight on the completion of these units.

- Application: Start your application early – you usually submit it a year prior to when you plan to start (so if you're finishing your 2nd year in Spring 2023, you'll apply in Fall 2022 for Fall 2023).

- Personal Insight Statements: Spend considerable time on these. They don't need to be about overcoming adversity - it's equally important to speak to your passions, interests, and experiences that have shaped your college journey.

Remember, attending a California community college not only saves you tuition money, but also gives you priority admission over other applicants at public universities in California. Continually network and reach out to college counselors either through your current institution or UCLA's transfer center, they'll provide extremely helpful in your journey.