Can someone explain to me how this transfer process works? I know it is quite difficult, but I still want to know.
Do colleges give out fee waivers for us to apply, or is that only during highschool? Will I still have to send in SAT/ACT scores? I am thinking about transferring to a UC for my 3rd year, so do I start applying in sophomore year? I am currently a freshman at a CSU.
Anyone? 
Go to your guidance office. The California system is/can be very complicated, and much of it has changed recently – supposedly to make things more uniform. Go talk to the people who deal with this on a daily basis – not us’ns out here.
I’m curious about how CSU students would go about transferring. Do they try to complete breadth and similar major classes? Or is there something similar to a letter of reciprocity (guessing not)?
@goldencub. First one. They try to match via assist.
Assist won’t tell you much about CSU -> UC course articulations.
You definitely have to keep in touch with an advisor at the UC you want to transfer to. Some even post course equivalences online if they’re on top of their game. Definitely call them, and ask about what courses are equivalent. Calling is probably better than e-mail too! Good luck