How do I transfer between colleges at UCSD?

I'm a junior thinking about applying to UCSD, but I'm curious about what it's like to transfer between colleges once you're there. How hard is the process, and are there specific requirements I should know about?

Admissions at UCSD (University of California, San Diego) are unique in the sense that when you apply, you're not just applying to the university as a whole, but you're also applying to one of its seven residential colleges. Each college follows a different core curriculum, also referred to as general education requirements, and has its own administration, advisers, traditions, and housing.

The process of transferring between colleges at UCSD, also known as "intercollege transfer" or ICT, isn't particularly common or encouraged by the university. It's intended for students who, after thoughtful consideration, find that their academic and long-term plans would be better served by a different college's academic requirement.

The ICT process has specific eligibility requirements that need to be met:

1. To qualify for a transfer, you must have completed a minimum of three quarters at UCSD and have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or greater.

2. It is also required that you complete the lower-division writing requirement of your current college and at least two quarters of the area studies/sequence of your current college's general education requirements.

3. In your application for the transfer, you're required to outline a compelling educational reason for the transfer, making it clear why the change would benefit your academic and career pursuits.

The ICT application process typically takes place once a year in the spring quarter, with the actual transfer occurring in the following fall. As of now, there is a moratorium on ICT requests at Revelle College; students can't currently transfer to Revelle College, nor transfer out.

Keep in mind that acceptance standards for ICT applications are high and approval is not guaranteed, given the emphasis the university places on the community of the colleges. Consequently, you should carefully consider which college to apply to initially, taking into account their unique general education requirements and the way they support the fields you're interested in studying.

Lastly, remember that the college you belong to does not determine your major. Any UCSD student can major in any course offered by the university, regardless of which college they belong to. Your college only determines your core curriculum, such as writing and general education courses. Each college at UCSD provides a unique environment and approach to these core studies.