What's the deal with Santa Monica College IGETC for transfers?

I'm looking into Santa Monica College and heard about IGETC. How essential is it to complete IGETC if I want to transfer? Does it guarantee smoother transitions or has anyone found it complicated to complete?

IGETC, or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum, is a series of courses that California community college students can take to satisfy lower-division general education requirements for any UC or CSU campus.

Here's how it works: When you complete the IGETC and get certified by your community college, it means you've completed all lower-division general education requirements for the four-year school you're transferring to. Having IGETC certification can help provide a smoother transition to a UC or CSU because you won't have to take more lower-division general education classes after you transfer, and can instead head straight into more specialized coursework in your major.

However, it's worth mentioning that completing the IGETC is not a requirement for transferring, nor does it guarantee admission. It's simply a pathway that exists to make the transition smoother once you're accepted and decide to enroll.

As for its complication or convenience, this depends on individual circumstances. Many students manage to complete the IGETC without issue, whereas others might find it more challenging, particularly if they're trying to squeeze in all the required courses, as well as courses for their major, within a specific timeframe. Working closely with your academic advisor to help plan out your course schedule is a good way of managing IGETC and any other commitments you have.

Also, some majors and programs recommend against following IGETC. Instead, they might prefer you concentrate on prerequisite courses for your major, rather than completing the IGETC. Some examples include many engineering, science, or other high unit majors, as if you don't get a jump on your major coursework while in community college, you could need to take additional time to graduate. Before committing to complete the IGETC, check with the university and major department you are interested in transferring to and your community college counselor.

Finally, remember that different four-year institutions can have different prerequisites and general education requirements. So do your research ahead of time and plan your course schedule accordingly, to make your transfer journey as smooth as possible. College resources, including academic advisors, transfer advisors, and university-specific guides, can provide helpful guidance. Good luck!