In recent years, with the surging popularity of California community college transfers, many students have experienced the “real advantage” of the CC transfer path. In addition to UC campuses, some students are also setting their sights on other well-known California institutions like USC and CSU.
Taking USC as an example, nearly half of its transfer students in recent years have come from various California community colleges, and in the 2022–23 academic year, 24% of transferred students were Asian. SMC and PCC are the two community colleges that send the most students to USC.
Today, CheersYou（清柚教育） will walk you through the requirements for transferring from California community colleges to both USC and CSU, helping you gain a better understanding.
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Community College Transfer Requirements for USC
Credit Requirements
Unlike transferring to the UC system, private schools like USC generally have no minimum transfer credit requirement. You only need to have completed at least one year of full-time study with strong academic performance.
Competitive candidates typically take 14–16 credits per semester. However, if you earn fewer than 30 transferable credits by the end of the spring semester, the school will primarily evaluate your high school record and/or SAT or ACT scores.
Note: The School of Cinematic Arts requires 48 credits for transfer into the Film and Television Production program.
Course Requirements
Before transferring to USC, you must complete a course equivalent to USC’s lower-division writing requirement, Writing 130.
You also need to meet the minimum math requirement: Algebra II in high school or Intermediate Algebra in college with a grade of C or higher. Many majors may have additional math requirements.
Additionally, you must fulfill USC’s General Education (GE) requirements.
Language Proficiency Requirements
All international applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores from an English proficiency exam approved by USC.
Approved exams and minimum score requirements are:
- TOEFL (or TOEFL iBT): minimum 100, with at least 20 in each section
- IELTS (or IELTS Indicator): 7
- PTE: 68
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 650
- ACT English: 27
* China’s TOEFL ITP Plus is not accepted
If you are unable to take an approved exam, you may take the Duolingo English Test, with a minimum score of 130. Upon enrollment, you must also take the International Student Examination offered by USC’s American Language Institute.
Transfer Timing
USC accepts sophomore and junior transfer students.
It is recommended to transfer as early as sophomore year so that you can take more general education and elective courses at USC. Becoming part of the USC community early offers more opportunities to engage in campus life and build connections that can help after graduation.
If you have completed most of your general education requirements before transferring, you will have more time at USC to pursue a double major, a major/minor combination, or credit-intensive majors.
Transcript Requirements
You must submit official transcripts from all colleges attended, regardless of whether you completed all courses or degree requirements.
Failure to do so may be considered a violation of academic integrity, leading to revocation of admission or dismissal.
The average transfer admission GPA in previous years has been between 3.75 and 4.00.
Pass/No Pass
Up to 24 semester credits, including a maximum of 4 credits in general education, may be taken on a Pass/No Pass basis. Typically, only one core literacy course may be taken Pass/No Pass.
To check whether your specific community college courses meet USC transfer requirements, you can visit the school’s official website:
https://atweb.usc.edu/articagrmt/artic.aspx
Community College Transfer Requirements for CSU
There are three main pathways for transferring from a community college to a CSU: ADT (Associate Degree for Transfer), Upper-Division Transfer, and Lower-Division Transfer.
ADT stands for Associate Degree for Transfer, which functions as a degree guaranteeing admission to CSU. Students who meet the minimum CSU eligibility requirements are guaranteed priority admission.
ADT Application Requirements
- At the time of application, have already earned or be in the process of completing an approved ADT degree
- Complete at least 18 semester or 27 quarter credits in the major or area of emphasis, along with a set of approved GE requirements
- Submit the online application to desired CSU campuses by the published deadline
- Submit all required transcripts and documents by the published deadline
- Meet the admission eligibility requirements of the specific CSU program you are applying to
- Comply with any other stipulated admission requirements
If, upon enrolling at CSU, you have completed at least 60 semester or 90 quarter transferable credits, you are considered an Upper-Division Transfer (UDT) applicant.
UDT Application Requirements
- Complete a minimum of 60 semester or 90 quarter credits of transferable coursework
- Minimum overall college GPA of 2.00
- Be in good standing at the last college or university attended
- Have completed 10 general education courses with a grade of C- or better
LDT Application Requirements
With the new application season fast approaching, community college students must start preparing early to secure a spot at their dream schools.
CheersYou（清柚教育） wishes everyone a smooth application process and success in getting into your dream school~
