What's the IGETC at Sierra College all about?

I've heard about the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum at Sierra College but I'm not entirely sure what it is. If I plan to transfer to a UC or CSU, should I definitely follow this path?

The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) is essentially a group of courses that community college students in California can complete to fulfill their general education requirements for either the University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU) systems prior to transferring. By satisfying these requirements through the IGETC at Sierra College, you'll be prepared to transfer without needing to take additional lower-division general education courses upon arriving at your new university.

However, following the IGETC isn't always the ideal path for every transferring student. There are some factors you may want to consider:

1. Major-Specific Requirements: Some majors, particularly those in STEM fields, have very precise prerequisite courses you need to take before transferring. Students in these fields might spend more time fulfilling major requirements rather than finishing the IGETC.

2. University/School-Specific Requirements: Some UC colleges or majors don’t accept IGETC, and instead, have their specific requirements students need to fulfill.

3. Time or Units Constraint: Completing the IGETC in addition to your major prerequisites could potentially delay your transfer if you have a heavy workload.

Before you decide to follow the IGETC, I recommend meeting with a counselor at Sierra College. This way, you can develop an education plan that's tailored to your specific transfer goals. It's also a good idea to regularly check the articulation agreements between Sierra College and your intended UC or CSU campus to ensure that the courses you’re taking will indeed transfer and fulfill the needed requirements.