What should I know about Saddleback College's CSU transfer requirements?

I'm planning on transferring to a CSU after attending Saddleback College. What are the main requirements I need to meet? It'd be helpful to hear from someone who's been through this process.

Transferring from a community college, like Saddleback College, to a California State University (CSU) requires you to follow certain guidelines and meet certain requirements to ensure a smooth transition.

1. Units/Credit Hours: Transfers are typically required to complete a set amount of credit hours or units prior to applying for transfer. For CSU, you're generally required to complete at least 60 semester units or 90 quarter units.

2. General Education (GE): CSUs require students to complete their lower-division general education requirements, also known as breadth requirements. These include classes in areas such as English composition, mathematics, arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and natural sciences. At Saddleback College, you'll want to follow the CSU GE Breadth Requirements to ensure you're taking the necessary courses.

3. Major Preparation: Courses that align with your intended major should be included in your course load at Saddleback College. Some CSUs may also have prerequisites that you need to complete for your major. These requirements can usually be found on the CSU campus’s website or through a tool like Assist.org, a student-transfer information system that provides information on how course credits earned at one public California college or university can be applied when transferred to another.

4. GPA: A competitive GPA is important for CSU transfers. The minimum GPA to be eligible to transfer is 2.0 in all attempted credits; however, some campuses and majors may have higher standards, so it's wise to aim above that to increase your chances.

5. Golden Four: The CSU system requires you to complete with a C or better, a series of general education courses known as the "Golden Four" - oral communication (public speaking), written communication (English composition), critical thinking (logic), and mathematics.

6. Impacted Majors: Be aware that some campuses and programs are impacted due to a large number of students. This means there's more demand than there is capacity, so it could potentially restrict the number of students accepted into these programs.

Essentially, you’ll need to make sure you’re fulfilling both your general education and major-specific requirements while also maintaining a competitive GPA. Lastly, make sure to consult with Saddleback College’s transfer center and an academic counselor to ensure you're meeting all necessary requirements and deadlines. They can give you tailored advice and help troubleshoot any issues you come across.