What's needed to transfer to a CSU from Santa Ana College?

I'm aiming to transfer to a Cal State school from Santa Ana College. What are the key requirements I should be aware of, and how does an Associate's degree fit into this plan?

To transfer to a Cal State (CSU) school from a California community college like Santa Ana College, you need to meet certain eligibility requirements, which generally include:

1. Complete at least 60 semester (or 90 quarter) units of transferable credit. Most CSU-bound students will have completed an Associate’s Degree for Transfer (ADT), which comes in two forms: an Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) or an Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T). These are special degrees offered through the California Community Colleges system that are designed to provide a clear path to a CSU major and baccalaureate degree.

2. Earn a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 in all transferable units attempted.

3. Be in good standing at the last college or university attended (i.e., you're not on academic probation due to grades or conduct issues).

4. Complete and earn a grade of "C-" or better in a minimum of 30-semester units (or 45 quarter units) in CSU-approved general education coursework, with at least one course each in Written Communication, Oral Communication, Critical Thinking, and Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning.

The CSU system also has a program called the Lower Division Transfer Pattern (LDTP) intended for students — such as yourself — who plan to transfer before they have completed 60-semester units. If you pursue LDTP, you would work with a counselor at Santa Ana College to identify courses that meet CSU lower-division general education requirements, as well as pre-major coursework.

However, the Associate’s Degree for Transfer mentioned above is generally the most straightforward path, as it guarantees admission into the CSU system (although not necessarily to a particular campus or major) and ensures you enter the CSU system with junior standing.

Also, note that while the general rules apply to all CSU campuses, some campuses and majors have more competitive admission criteria due to higher demand, so please check the specific requirements for the campus and major you're interested in.