I'm at a community college and really want to transfer to a UC. How do I make sure my classes will transfer? Are there specific requirements or agreements I should be aware of to make sure everything counts?
Absolutely, transferring from a community college to a UC institution has a clearly outlined process. Here are the steps involved:
1. Articulation Agreements: Check with your community college academic advisor or counseling office for “articulation agreements”. These agreements are carefully created documents that outline what courses at your community college can seamlessly transfer to specific UC campuses.
2. Assist.org: An essential tool for any California student considering transfer is Assist.org. This website is a database that outlines what courses at your community college satisfy general education requirements or major pre-requisites at a UC campus.
3. IGETC: Another important avenue to ensure that all your lower-division general education requirements will transfer is through completing IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum). IGETC outlines a pattern of courses you can take that will satisfy all lower-division general education requirements at UC campuses.
4. UC Transfer Admission Planner (UC TAP): This online tool is designed to help you track and plan your coursework. The planner prompts you to add all your courses by term and provides a cumulative GPA. Additionally, after inputting your completed and planned courses, it will tell you if you are satisfying IGETC.
5. Major Preparation: In addition to satisfying general education requirements, you need to complete major preparation courses. The major-specific requirements for transfer students can also be found using Assist.org or on each UC's admissions website.
6. Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG): UC has a Transfer Admission Guarantee program with all six of its campuses for qualifying students. This means that if you meet certain requirements, including courseload and GPA expectations, you can be guaranteed admittance into a UC school.
Remember, it's always best to communicate with transfer advisors or counselors at both your current community college and the UC campus you're aspiring to attend to ensure you're on the right track. They are there to help and guide you in this process!
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