What's the process for transferring to ucsd from a community college?

I'm planning to transfer from my community college to UC San Diego. Can anyone share insights on the transfer process, including GPA requirements and any other important factors?

Transferring from a community college to UC San Diego (UCSD) is a feasible pathway for many students thanks to UCSD's commitment to ensuring access for students from all walks of life. Here's what you need to know about the process:

1. Meet the Minimum Requirements: To be eligible for transfer to any UC school, including UCSD, you need to complete at least 60 semester units (or 90 quarter units) of transferable college credit. Most community college classes are transferable, but you should verify this with your counselor or use the UC Transfer Admission Planner. Additionally, you need to have a GPA of at least 2.4 if you're an in-state student. However, admission to UCSD usually requires a GPA much higher than this minimum.

2. Complete the General Education (GE) Requirements: UCSD offers two paths to fulfill General Education requirements: IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum) and the Partial IGETC, which can be completed at your community college. The IGETC contains courses in areas such as English, Math, Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, and Physical and Biological Sciences. Completing the IGETC or Partial IGETC does not guarantee admission, but it can strengthen your application.

3. Use the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG): UCSD, along with other UC schools, offers TAG, which can guarantee admission for community college students who meet specific requirements. Please note that some UCSD colleges and majors do not offer TAG, so ensure to see if your intended major/college is TAG eligible.

4. Prepare for Your Major: UCSD looks at how well you're prepared for your major. This means fulfilling prerequisites for the major as per UCSD's guide. For some majors, UCSD expects applicants to have completed certain courses before transferring.

5. Submit the UC Application: The UC application opens August 1 and the filing period is from November 1-30. This application is where you'll list your coursework, GPA, activities, work experience, and write personal insight questions.

6. Submit the UC San Diego Supplemental Application: If UCSD requests further academic information through a supplemental application, you will need to submit this in January.

Remember, the admission process is competitive and holistic, meaning UCSD looks at more than just grades, they consider your essays, involvement in extracurricular activities, work experiences, and potentially other achievements.

Good luck on your journey to UCSD!