I've taken classes at a couple of different community colleges, and now I'm thinking of transferring to a CSU. Does anyone have experience with how this works with credits taken from multiple schools?
Yes, it's definitely possible to transfer credits from multiple community colleges to a California State University (CSU). The CSU system generally accepts credits from regionally accredited institutions, which most community colleges are.
When beginning the transfer process, you would submit official transcripts from all of the colleges where you've taken classes. On your application, make sure to list all the schools you've attended. This ensures that the admissions office can take all of your completed coursework into account.
The key part comes in determining which of your credits will apply to specific requirements at the CSU you're transferring to, like General Education, elective, or major requirements. The California Virtual Campus - Online Education Initiative offers a helpful tool called "Counselor Network" where you can ask questions about course transferability and get feedback from college counselors.
Also, review the articulation agreements between the CSUs and your specific community colleges to see how specific courses transfer. These are often listed on a college's transfer center webpage, or on third-party sites like ASSIST, which shows how course credits earned at one public California college or university can be applied when transferred to another.
As always, I'd recommend reaching out to the CSU transfer admissions office you're interested in directly. They'll be able to provide more detailed guidance tailored to your specific situation.
Transferring can sometimes feel complicated with all the details, but be assured, your case is not uncommon and CSU have processes in place to handle this exactly.
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