The Community College Advantage

The University works in partnership with California's community colleges to make admission attainable for transfer students. Specifically, California community college students receive:

Priority consideration The University gives junior-level community college students first priority over other transfer applicants, including those from four-year institutions and UC's own intercampus transfer students.

Help choosing courses   Articulation agreements with all of the state's community colleges identify which courses satisfy the requirements of individual UC campuses.

Guaranteed admission  Seven UC campuses offer guaranteed admission to California community college students who meet specific requirements under the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program. And all campuses offer a variety of programs in support of transfer admission for community college students. More specific programs and support services are available to help transfer students earn their UC degrees once they have enrolled.

What You Need to Do

Thinking carefully about the campus and major you want to apply to is one of the most important steps to take before you transfer to UC.

Choose a major. Transfer students can select from among hundreds of majors across the UC system, from the humanities and social sciences to engineering and professional programs. Deciding early where your interests lie will help you choose courses that will put you on the path to your chosen major.

Choose a campus. As important as selecting a major is deciding which campus you want to attend. While all UC campuses have accomplished faculty, outstanding facilities and challenging academic programs, each has unique features that set it apart. There are a lot of factors to consider: the academic programs (not all majors are available at all campuses), the campus setting and the size of the student body, to name just a few. You may also want to think about the distance from your home, the surrounding community, and the cultural and recreational activities available. Try to visit the campuses you're considering. They all offer tours and programs for prospective students.

Whether you choose the oldest UC campus or the newest, a major in engineering or in dance, you will be among the most talented and motivated students to attend any university.

What to Expect When You Transfer

Your academic experience at UC will be challenging and stimulating. You will be stepping into a new environment, and much of your success in adjusting will depend on your own initiative. Here are a few tips that may help:

Expect rigorous coursework. You likely will take most of your coursework at the upper-division (junior and senior) level, which is more demanding. Subjects will be presented in more depth and with a tighter focus than in the broad-based survey or foundation courses you took to prepare to transfer.

And while some of your classes may be larger than you are used to, big lectures are typically paired with small group discussions. Many campuses also offer seminar-style courses each term that enable you to have more one-on-one interaction with instructors.

Plan for a faster pace. Transfer students familiar with the semester system may find that it takes some time to adjust to the different rhythm of the quarter system. Every UC campus except Berkeley and Merced operates on the quarter system, with three 10-week terms in the academic year. (Berkeley and Merced have two semesters in the academic year, each 16 to 18 weeks long.) The faster pace means learning to budget your time well — you cannot afford to get behind in your reading or coursework — and expecting midterm exams to come around more quickly.

If you do transfer to a UC campus on the quarter system, try not to take more than 12 units your first quarter. This will give you time to get a feel for the change without being overwhelmed.

Give courses priority over work. Many community college students are used to fitting part-time classes around a full-time job. UC expects you to do the opposite, and will help you connect with financial resources that can allow you to keep your work hours manageable (see page 30). The best way to deal with all the changes you'll encounter is to allow more time for your studies at UC.

Seek out career contacts early. Establishing a relationship with your UC professors requires effort beyond attending weekly lectures. Visit them during office hours. Ask about internships
or research prospects in your field. Professors often are the key to unadvertised opportunities
that can give you vital career experience, particularly if you plan to attend graduate school. Campuses have career centers that can help you research your career or graduate school options.

Get involved. Each UC campus offers hundreds of clubs and organizations where you can quickly get to know your fellow students. Or take the lead yourself and form a study group. Many campuses also have transfer centers and specialized support services to help smooth your transition.

Prepare for your major. Most important in making the transition is your academic preparation at community college. The more comprehensive and challenging your community college program, the better prepared you will be for University work and the better your chances for academic success.

Concentrate on classes required as preparation for upper-division work in your intended major. Completing your major-preparation coursework while at community college can make you a more competitive applicant and help you graduate sooner after you transfer.