How does transferring from Sacramento City College usually work?

Thinking of transferring from Sacramento City College to a four-year institution. How does the transfer process typically work? Are there any resources or counselors that can help simplify this process for me?

Transferring from a community college like Sacramento City College (SCC) to a four-year university is a multi-step process that involves careful planning and preparation. Given the fact that you're in California, the transfer process might be substantially streamlined if you consider transferring to a University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU) institution, due to the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) programs and Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) programs that exist between the California community college system and these universities.

For UCs and CSUs, you will typically need to complete a certain set of courses referred to as "general education" (GE) requirements, and also prerequisite courses for your intended major. In addition, you'll need to maintain a minimum GPA, usually around a 2.4 for CSU and 2.8 for UCs for California residents, but this can vary depending on the university and/or program.

Make sure to keep track of application deadlines for your intended transfer universities. CSUs and UCs generally have a filing period from October 1 to November 30 for fall admission of the next year.

Start your transfer process by speaking with a counselor or advisor at SCC. They can help guide you on course selection, discuss transfer requirements for different institutions, and illuminate the entire process. Most community colleges also have a "transfer center" that may offer workshops or information sessions about the transfer process, particularly for California-based students looking to transfer to UC and CSU campuses.

In addition to reaching out to SCC's counselor, it's also a good idea to reach out to the admissions office of the four-year universities you're considering transferring to. Admissions representatives can provide a wealth of information and insights into their respective universities' transfer processes, deadlines, and specific major requirements.

Most importantly, start planning your transfer as early as possible. The earlier you start planning, the more likely you are to meet all the criteria needed to transfer and to successfully be admitted to your university of choice. Good luck with your transfer journey!