Transferring community college credits to UCR—what to know?

I'm thinking of transferring from community college to UCR. How does the credit transfer process work specifically for engineering programs? Would love to hear from anyone who's done it or has insights!

From what I understand, transfer students are quite common at University of California schools, including UC Riverside, so they should have a solid process in place to assist with transferring credits.

You should start by checking out the ASSIST.org system – it's an online tool for California community college students to see how course credits might transfer to University of California and California State University schools. This system is often updated with the most recent course equivalency information so it's a good place to look for which of your existing credits would likely transfer.

When it comes to Engineering programs at UCR, you'll likely be entering the Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering (BCOE). They list specific requirements and prerequisite courses for each of their engineering programs on their website. Make sure to check out these requirements against the courses you have taken so that you can ensure alignment.

Remember, just because a course is equivalent does not necessarily mean it meets the specific requirements of your intended engineering major. For example, some engineering programs may require more advanced calculus or physics classes than what may be considered equivalent for a general education requirement.

Once you've reviewed these resources, the next step is to get in touch with UCR's Admissions Office and an advisor at BCOE. They can provide personalized, detailed advice that matches your unique situation. They will likely suggest you apply for admissions first and once you're admitted, the Office of the Registrar will conduct an official evaluation of your credits.

One final tip: keep copies of all your course syllabi and coursework from your community college. In cases where the credit transfer isn't clear-cut, these materials can be useful for UCR officials to determine course equivalence.

Best of luck with your transfer! UCR has a robust engineering program, and a lot of students have successfully made the transition from community colleges over the years. You're joining a good company.