As one of the best public university systems in the world, the University of California is beloved by many Chinese international students and local American students alike. Most people think of going straight from high school to a four-year university, but that's not the only path to a prestigious education.
Often overlooked, community colleges are an excellent route to transfer into top schools. About 20% of UC students are admitted via transfer from community colleges, and in California alone, over 10,000 community college students are accepted each year.
CC to UC Timeline
May: Plan your course schedule for the upcoming year to meet all transfer requirements.
July: Prepare and participate in extracurricular activities, clubs, etc.; start drafting your personal insight essays.
August: The UC application opens for all applicants; you can create an online account and review the specific materials required this year. Look at the essay prompts and begin brainstorming with your essay advisor.
September 1–30: The UC TAG (Transfer Admission Guarantee) application period is open; after September 30, it cannot be submitted.
November 1–30: All students planning to enroll at UC in Fall 2022 must submit their online application and essays during this window.
January of the following year: Update your application with final official grades from the fall term.
March–April of the following year: UC begins releasing admission decisions!
June 1 of the following year: Submit your SIR (Statement of Intent to Register) and confirm your enrollment choice.
July 1 of the following year: Send official final transcripts to the UC admissions office.
August of the following year: Update your I-20, apply for visas, change your status, and complete pre-departure preparations.
How to Prepare for a UC Transfer
1. Start with Math and English
Most community colleges require you to take placement tests in math and English upon enrollment. No matter what level you place into, make sure you eventually complete two college-level English courses (College Writing level) and at least one transferable math course. Begin these courses as early as possible, as some UCs require you to finish English and math by the end of your first fall term.
2. Prepare your major prerequisite courses
Once you know your intended major, check the specific course requirements for that major at the UCs you're interested in. Your major may have prerequisite courses you need to complete before transferring. Be sure to distinguish between required courses (must take) and recommended courses (optional).
3. Prepare your general education courses
General education courses give you a broad foundation across disciplines; requirements vary by university. See the next section on Minimum Transfer Requirements for details.
4. Keep the UC minimum transfer requirements in mind
As you plan your major and target campuses, you must also meet the minimum transfer requirements. Your major prep, general education, GPA, and total units will all be considered. Regularly check your progress to stay on track.
Minimum Transfer Requirements
1. Complete the Seven Course Pattern
- Two transferable English courses
- One transferable math course
- Four transferable courses from at least two of the following subject areas:
Each course must be at least 3 semester units and UC-transferable. For non-major courses, a grade of C or better (or Pass) is required. AP exam scores of 3, 4, or 5 can be used to satisfy corresponding course requirements. It is strongly recommended to complete English and math requirements early.
Students who complete the IGETC pattern and their major requirements can earn an Associate Degree from their community college. You can also follow the IGETC for UC to complete courses in six areas: 2 English, 1 Math, 3 Arts and Humanities, 3 Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2 Physical and Biological Sciences, and 1 Language (other than English). Each course must be completed with a grade of C or better. Below is a detailed breakdown of the IGETC areas (with link)
https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/admission-requirements/tran...
Similar to the Seven Course Pattern, courses must be transferable, and non-major courses must receive a grade of C or better. AP exam scores of 3, 4, or 5 can be used to satisfy corresponding requirements. It is advisable to complete English and math early. Note that IGETC courses do not have to be completed at a single community college; you can take courses at other community colleges to fulfill IGETC.
2. Complete at least 60 transferable semester units
No more than 14 semester units may be taken Pass/No Pass.
3. Minimum Overall GPA
For admission to UC from a community college, the minimum GPA is 2.4 for California residents and 2.8 for international students. Some campuses and majors may have higher GPA requirements. Note that simply meeting the minimum GPA does not guarantee admission.
4. Major Course GPA
You must complete the required/recommended courses for your intended major with a grade of B or better. Other GE courses require a C or above.
What Courses Should I Take?
If you're unsure which courses you need at your current community college to transfer to your target UC, you can visit https://assist.org/
This website is well-known; many students hear about it from their counselors when they first enroll.
For example, say you want to transfer from Irvine Valley College to UC Irvine:
Click "View Agreements" and you'll see a screen like this. Then on the right, you can select your major—for instance, the popular Business Economics at UCI—and you'll be taken to the detailed course list.
The top section, "Major Preparation," lists the required courses you must complete before transferring.
The bottom section, "Additional Approved Courses," shows major courses you can complete early, so you won't have to take them at UC, where courses tend to be more challenging.
Summary
The four points above are the minimum requirements set by the UC admissions office.
For the first requirement, completing the IGETC general education pattern ensures that all community college students receive a well-rounded education across disciplines—similar to what we call a holistic development. Regardless of which UC campus or major you choose, you'll need to complete these general education courses. The fourth point varies for each student, depending on your specific community college and the major you're transferring into at UC.
If you're interested in the UC TAG (Transfer Admission Guarantee) program or want more transfer information, feel free to scan the QR code below for a consultation.
