CSU to CC to UC

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

I didn’t do so hot in high school, so I didn’t bother to apply to any UCs. Fortunately, I did get into CSULA. So I decided to go there thinking I’m going to apply to transfer my second year. Then I come to find out it is nearly impossible to transfer from a CSU to a UC. My plan is to transfer to my local cc (PCC) and apply to transfer from there. I know how extremely hard it is to get classes at ccs so I’m worried I might fall behind a year, and I don’t want that. I want to finish this first year at CSULA (2014-2015), attend PCC this upcoming school year, (2015-2016) apply to transfer this upcoming fall, (2015) and be at a UC by next school year (2016-2017). I’m thinking about talking to a counselor about this, but I’ve heard a few stories about how some are not very supportive of this transition. I’d really like to hear from you all. Is this possible? Any advice on what I should do? Have any of you had success in doing this? Am I making the right choice? Literally, any information you have will be beneficial to me. Please!!!

Another thing, I hope to get into either UCLA or Berkeley, what are my chances?
Major: English
GPA: 3.95 (Thus far, Spring quarter not included yet)
I do plan to get into clubs at PCC because it is literally a block by my house. Will that help in any way? What about other UCs? How hard will it be for me to get into those? Once again, I could use all the information you have. Please!!!

2

Also, is there anyone specific at PCC to whom I should speak with to better my chances?

3

Probably any counselor at PCC can help you figure out a plan. I would go see one.

Also, use assist.org to know your pre reqs, but you’ll have to guess when it comes to CSULA courses that satisfy the requirements. Did you only take lower division classes at the CSU?

Also, look into the TAG program as a back up since both UCB and UCLA are competitive. Also look into the TAP program for UCLA at PCC http://www.pasadena.edu/transfer/specialprograms/scholar.cfm

I know @fullload knows the difference between some of the different english majors at UCLA (like AmLit, I think?), so I will defer to him.

4

@dannycampos626 howed it go?!

5

So far I have only taken lower division GE courses and one lower division major course. I don’t really have access to TAG since CSUs don’t really condone transferring to a UC–I will look into it though. I have used assist and have compared some courses that equate to cc courses, and these cc courses equate to UC courses. Thus far, I seem to be on the right track for iGETC. I only need three courses in humanities and two courses in science–possibly even one if the current science course I’m taking fulfills that part of the contract–to finish the iGETC. I will also look into the TAP program. Thanks for the advice.

6

Okay, since you have taken upper division coursework, make sure you are aware of the unit max. @lindyk8 has a better understanding of it, so I will defer to her.

You are eligible for TAG after a certain amount of CC units. Also, IGETC is determined by PCC, so make sure you are satisfying those requirements.

7

I haven’t taken any upper division units. The major course I took was lower division. And as far as TAG, how many CC units do I need to be eligible? Or can my CSU units satisfy those CC units required?

8

You need 30 semsester/45 quarter units to be eligible, and they have to be CC units.

http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/files/tag-matrix.pdf

9

forget about TAG unless you plan on spending 2 years at a CC. All the UCs require 30 units under your belt just to submit a TAG app (which you do in Fall of the year prior to when you want to xfer), as shown in the chart linked by @luckie1367

I suggest making an appt as soon as you can to talk to the xfer counselors at PCC. It is true that at some CCs the counselors may not be well informed, but PCC is the 3rd highest source of UC xfers according to http://www.latimes.com/local/education/la-me-uc-transfers-20140515-story.html

10

I’m a CSU>CC>UC as well.

I currently am finishing up the Spring semester at my CSU, while also taking a class at a CC, and will be doing 6 classes at CC this summer (3 at 2 different ones), and also loading up on about 6 classes in the Fall as well. I am basically in the same situation as you, and am fighting to keep a 4 GPA as well. If you utilize this summer well enough, you could potential have a very comfortable Fall/Spring semester…That’s basically what I decided on doing, as the summer will be a short, quick and painless death.

If you have any questions feel free to message me.

11

I know I’m responding to this thread a year later, but I thought I’d do so because I have a pretty amazing story. So, I decided to avoid the whole CSU>CC>UC route, because I didn’t want to get stuck at a CC an additional year. Despite not having priority when it came to applying, I got into many UCs. The list goes as follows:

  • UC Riverside
  • UC Santa Cruz
  • UC Davis
  • UC Los Angeles

I got denied from the following:

  • UC Santa Barbara (They recommended I appeal though)
  • UC San Diego

I haven’t heard from the following:

  • UC Irvine
  • UC Berkeley
  • UC Merced

I also got into USC!

I appreciate everyone’s replies, and I wish you all the best in your academic careers!

1 Like
12

Wow congrats @dannycampos626 !!! Where are you going?

13

@choirsandstages I don’t know yet; I’m still deciding whether I should go to USC (18k) or UCLA (6k). I’m considering switching my major to CS, which would be easier to do at USC.