How does transfer credit from community college to UCSD work?

I'm considering starting at a community college and eventually transferring to UCSD. Does anyone have experience with how the transfer credit process works? Are there specific requirements or steps I need to be aware of?

To transfer credits from a community college to a University of California school like UCSD, you need to ensure that the courses you're taking at your community college are transferable. UCSD and other UC schools have an Assist.org website, which you can use to check if the classes you're taking at your community college will count towards the credit at UCSD.

In addition to checking course equivalency, it's crucial that you fulfill the general education requirements for the school you're planning to transfer in to. Each UC campus may have different general education requirements, and at UCSD this involves courses in writing, math, and other breadth requirements.

Furthermore, you also need to meet the major prep requirements for your intended major at UCSD. This means that you will need to take certain courses at your community college which are required for admission into your intended major at UCSD.

The UC system also has a TAG (Transfer Admission Guarantee) program. If you meet certain criteria, you can be guaranteed admission into one of several UC schools, though not all majors are eligible. Some criteria includes maintaining a certain GPA and fulfilling both general education and major prep requirements.

Lastly, although you can technically transfer after one year at a community college, UC schools generally prefer and recommend that you complete at least 60 semester units (or 90 quarter units) before transferring, which typically takes about two years.

In terms of application process, you would apply in the fall of the year before you wish to transfer, similar to how high school seniors apply for college. So if you want to transfer for the 2026-27 school year, you would apply between October 1 and November 30, 2025.

Of course, every student's path to transfer can look different so I would highly recommend reaching out to a counselor at your community college and possibly a admissions officer at UCSD to discuss your specific circumstances and goals. They will have the most accurate and up-to-date information and can provide step-by-step guidance throughout the process.