Guides for Transfer Students

If you’re planning to transfer from a community college to a four-year university, there are a few things to know to ensure your transfer is as seamless as possible.

Become a Competitive Applicant

• To be eligible for admission to a UC campus, transfer students must complete a minimum of 60 UC-transferable semester (90 quarter) units, and have a recommended GPA of 3.0 or better in those courses.
• Completion of the 7-course pattern is another important factor for transfer applicants. Complete math and English as early as possible.
  • Two transferable courses in English Composition
  • One transferable course in mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning
  • Four transferable college courses chosen from at least two of the following subject areas:
  • Arts and humanities
  • Social and behavioral sciences
  • Physical and biological sciences
• Plan ahead using tools like Assist.org or the UC Transfer Admission Planner (TAP) to ensure you’re on the right track and all your courses are transferable to your chosen institution.
• Major Preperation
  • Certain majors may have required or recommended coursework
  • Consider taking courses from other CCCs or online UC-transferable courses if your CCC doesn’t offer a major preparation course
  • Take full course sequences at one CCC
• Campus major preparation information for transfers
  • UC Berkeley | admissions.berkeley.edu/transfer-admissions-information-by-college
  • UC Davis | ucdavis.edu/admissions/undergraduate/transfer/selective-major-requirements
  • UC Irvine | admissions.uci.edu/apply/transfer-students/requirements
  • UCLA | admission.ucla.edu/apply/transfer/deciding-on-major
  • UC Merced | admissions.ucmerced.edu/transfer/major-preparation-schools
  • UC Riverside | admissions.ucr.edu/transfer/majors-preparation-guide
  • UC San Diego | admissions.ucsd.edu/transfer/transfer-major-preparation
  • UC Santa Barbara | admissions.ucsb.edu/selective-majors
  • UC Santa Cruz | admissions.ucsc.edu/transfer-students#screening-major-requirements
• UC Transfer Personal Insight Questions (PIWs):
  • One required question; respond to 3 of the 7 other questions
  • Required PIQ for transfers: Please describe how you have prepared for your intended major, including your readiness to succeed in your upper-division courses once you enroll at the university.
• The California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) is the singular general education pathway for California Community College (CCC) students to fulfill lower-division general education requirements necessary for transfer and admission to both the California State University (CSU) and the University of California (UC).

After Admission

• Tips on best practices for quarter vs semester mentality/workload
  • If you are a community college student, take advantage of 8 week courses during your semester to experience the fast pace of college courses.
  • Adjust Your Time Management
    • The quarter system moves quickly, with each quarter lasting about 10 weeks. You'll need to stay on top of your assignments and study schedule from the start. Create a detailed calendar or planner to track important deadlines and exams.
  • Prioritize Your Classes
    • With less time per quarter, it’s crucial to focus on your most challenging or important courses. Attend every class, participate actively, and stay engaged with the material to keep up with the fast pace.
  • Develop Efficient Study Habits
    • Since the quarter system demands quicker comprehension of material, efficient study habits are key. Break your study sessions into focused intervals, review notes regularly, and don’t hesitate to seek help early if you're struggling with the content.
  • Get Involved Early
    • Opportunities for involvement, such as clubs, internships, or research, can also move quickly in the quarter system. Start exploring and getting involved early in the quarter to make the most of your time and enhance your college experience.
  • Plan for Breaks
    • Quarters often have shorter breaks between them compared to semesters. Plan your rest and recovery time wisely to avoid burnout. Use breaks to refresh but also to prepare for the upcoming quarter, especially if you're taking a demanding course load.
• Best practices on your first quarter/semester on campus
  • Utilize campus resources designed to assist transfers with their transition and success, such as the Triton Transfer Hub at UC San Diego or Transfer Centers at other campuses
• Best practices for Undergraduate Research HUB

• K-16 collaborative paid summer internships
  • https://k16talentpipeline.org/students/
• Stay Motivated! 
  • Videos and stories of students who have transferred to UC, CSU, Privates

Additional Resources

University of California - Transfer Planner

• English (PDF)
• Spanish (PDF)
• Vietnamese (PDF)
• Hmong (PDF)