So I am currently a first year student attending CSUN. I completed 12 credits last semester and I am working in completing 12 credits this semester. My goal is to go to UCI but I keep reading Community College is my best choice to transfer to UCI. would it be a smart move to with draw myself from csun and pursue the CC route even if it doesnt guarantee me a spot at UCI?
Do it!
I did it and it’s the best decision I ever made. Straight of our high school, I went to CSUF (mainly because it was the only school I got accepted to). During my time there, I realized it wasn’t the school for me. So I left. I had 22 units & a 1.89 GPA. I enrolled into my local community college, retook the classes I failed and now I’m in the process of transferring! I only got accepted to UCSC so far, but it’s still early and I hope to hear from the rest of the UCs too.
Here is a few things to know:
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After this semester, enroll in your local community college and take at least 30 units. The UCs will consider you as a CC applicant, so you will get priority over the other types of transfers.
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Beware of the maximum credit limit! Because you attended at another university, you have a limit on how many units you can earn. Here’s the list: http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/files/uc-transfer-maximum-limitation-policy-chart.pdf
(Keep in mind that some of your units from CSUN might not transfer) -
You actually can guarantee yourself a spot at UCI, if you meet their TAG requirements. Their maximum credit limit is 90 units. As long as you don’t exceed that, have a 3.4 GPA by the summer before you apply for TAG and maintain that GPA until you transfer, you will get into Irvine.
Here’s the link to the TAG requirements: http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/files/tag-matrix.pdf
Thank you so much! I’m so nervous that in the end I wont get accepted to a UC but thats a risk I’m willing to take. 
Just one more question sorry! The maximum credit is 70 right? But i read somewhere it could be 60. By the end of next spring semester i could complete 62 credits if i follow the plan. Should i transfer out at 62 or try to achieve the 70?
At how many credits did you transfer out of your community college?
60 units is the minimum amount you need to transfer. 70 unit is the maximum that will transfer to the UCs. If you complete more than 70 units, you will be fine. They will give you subject credit for anything over the 70 units. Just don’t exceed 90 units, or else you’ll be at risk of being denied.
First, would those 62 units be just from the community college? Or is it 62 units from both the community college and CSUN? If the 62 units are from both schools, make sure that the courses from CSUN will transfer! You don’t want to put yourself in a situation where one class might not transfer, thus putting you at 59 units. You need to have 60 units. The best way to find out what classes will transfer is to use assist.org and see what classes from the community college are similar to the classes you took at CSUN. If all of the classes you took have a similar class at the CC, then it is very likely that those courses from CSUN will transfer to the UCI. If all of your classes from CSUN transfer, then you’ll be fine with the 62 units.
At my CC, I will be completing 72 units. Since I completed 22 units at CSUF, I have 94 units. I exceed the 90 unit limit. However, I repeated some classes and some of them aren’t transferrable, so I think I have 77 units.
Definitely go for it, especially if you can qualify for UCI’s TAG because that should take away any worries about getting in!
I was in your shoes almost exactly a year ago, but I went to CSULB and really wanted to go to UCSB so I finished up my freshmen year at CSULB and have spent this last year at a CC. So far I have been accepted to my 2nd choice school, Cal Poly Slo, and will hear back from UCSB soon.
A few words of advice, especially if you want to transfer as quickly as possible:
-Meet with as many counselors at your CC as possible, just to make sure you are taking the exact classes you need and you aren’t wasting any time with unnecessary ones. A second opinion can save you a lot of time.
-Take summer courses, they are usually pretty quick and easy and they help ensure that you will be at that 60 unit mark by the time you transfer.
-Look at other schools you would be happy to transfer to, it will ease the stress of having to be accepted to UCI by having a few back ups.
Were any of you getting Cal Grants ^^^??? If so, do you know what will happen/happened to them?
@paquetusepa I was getting Cal Grant A, then when I went to a CC it was put into reserve. That means I can use that reserved money once I transfer to a four year.
http://www.csac.ca.gov/doc.asp?id=1372
Just saw your reply! How did you put it in reverse?
@paquetusepa
I believe it happens automatically if you were getting Cal Grant A. At least for me, it was. If you were receiving Cal Grant B, talk to the financial aid office at your CC. They will be able to put it on reserve.
@49erToRaiderToDK
Have you heard any news from UCSB!
@562Cornejo
Really? I tried calling Cal Grant but it takes so long to get a hold of someone. How long did it take for you to transfer by the way? I started off at a UC and finished a quarter but withdrew due to a family death. I’m supposed to be at CC for about 2 years.
@paquetusepa
I started taking classes at CC the summer after my last semester at CSUF. I thought I was able to transfer last year, but didn’t realized my bad grades would follow me around so I got rejected everywhere. I ended up staying an extra year. So I was at CC for about 2 years, as well.