How difficult is it to transfer to a UC from an out-of-state college?

I'm currently attending an out-of-state college and considering transferring to one of the UCs. What's the process and how do they evaluate out-of-state credits compared to California community college credits?

Applying as a transfer student to a UC from an out-of-state college is certainly possible, but keep in mind that the process may be more challenging than transferring from a California community college (CCC).

When it comes to the application process, non-CCC students fill out the same transfer application on the UC Application portal as CCC students. Along with the application, you'll likely need to submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities you've attended, along with any AP or IB scores you've earned.

The acceptance rate for transfer students at UCs tends to be higher than for first-year students, but CCC students are given priority in the admissions process. This is due to the UCs' commitment to the California Master Plan for Higher Education that guarantees a space at a UC for all CCC students who meet certain eligibility requirements. That doesn't mean out-of-state students aren't considered, but it does mean that the competition can be steeper.

When it comes to evaluating your credits, the UCs have a system in place to determine whether a specific course at a CCC will satisfy a specific requirement at the UCs. A similar system does not exist for out-of-state colleges, so transferring course credits might be more complicated, and you won't know exactly how many of your credits will be accepted until after you are admitted.

In general, UC schools require that you:

1. Most UC schools require that you have completed 60 semester (90 quarter) units of transferable college credit with a GPA of at least 2.4 (for California residents) or 2.8 (for out-of-state residents). You usually need to have completed coursework in the following four subject areas: English communication, mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning, four courses from at least two of the following subject areas: arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and physical and biological sciences, and language other than English.

2. Be in good standing at the last college or university you attended.

3. Have completed a course similar to English Composition at a UC and received a C or better.

4. If considering certain majors or colleges within the UC system (like the College of Engineering at UC Berkeley), there could be additional course requirements.

Lastly, keep in mind that the competitiveness of the transfer process can also vary between the different UC campuses and the major you're interested in studying, so it's a good idea to research the specific requirements and acceptance rates for the schools and programs you're interested in.