How do economics majors fare when transferring from community college to UC schools?

I'm interested in economics and considering starting at a community college in California. How successful are econ majors when they transfer to a UC school?

Transfer success from community colleges to UC schools can actually be quite high, especially for motivated students. According to the University of California's own statistics, about 20% of UC bachelor degrees are awarded to students who have transferred from California community colleges. This shows that it's a common and viable path.

Economics is a popular and respected discipline within UC schools such as UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC San Diego, to name a few. The success rate of transfer students into the economics programs at these institutions, though, largely depends on the individual's academic performance and rigor of their community college curricula.

To boost your chances of successful transfer, some proactive steps can be beneficial. Start by working hard to maintain a high GPA at your community college, ideally 3.5 or above. Take some math courses alongside your economics courses as they are often required for economics programs. You may also want to take advantage of programs like TAG (Transfer Admission Guarantee) that seven UC campuses offer to community college students.

Become familiar with the IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum) which lays out the lower-division general education courses you should take in community college that will be recognized by UC schools. Ensure that you've met the prerequisites needed to declare an economics major at the UC campus where you plan to transfer.

Finally, utilize resources available for community college students such as academic counselor appointments and transfer advising to help position yourself best for this transition.

Remember that anxiety about transfer admissions is normal, but statistically speaking, community college transfers fare well within the UC system, including in economics programs. Commend yourself for planning ahead and asking about this now - having such a forward-thinking attitude can truly set you up for success in your academic journey.