Help with transferring to UCs!

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

So I go to a cc in SoCal, and I am hearing different things from different people, even different counselor a as to what I am supposed to do in order to transfer to a UC. I am a first year student wanting to transfer to UCI majoring in psychology. I’ve heard of the ASSIST website but I am wondering what courses do I have to take to transfer to UCI or any other UC. I’ve heard from my counselors that I need to fulfill the IGETC requirements and my major requirements in order to transfer but other students are telling me that for transferring and programs such as TAG I need just major requirements, and what it says on ASSIST. What do I need to do?

Thanks for any help

2

This is for transferring during my junior year by the way

3

assist.org will give you the classes you need to complete the lower division requirements at different UCs. Make sure you read it carefully, since some classes are REQUIRED and others RECOMMENDED. Also, it may list a ton of classes, but only say you need 1 or 2 of the ones listed.

IGETC is the equivalent of General Education at the UC level. It is not required, but it can be helpful to clear your GE requirements and allow you to start taking upper division courses right away.

TAG uses major requirements, a certain amount of units, and GPA. Will you have 30 units COMPLETE (not including in progress) and a 3.4 by September?

Here are some useful links:

assist: http://web2.assist.org/web-assist/prompt.do?ia=UCI&ay=15-16
IGETC: http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/glossary/igetc.html
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/transfer/general-education-igetc/igetc/
TAG: http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/files/tag-matrix.pdf
UCI TAG: http://www.admissions.uci.edu/applicants/tag.html

Edit: Also, a good thing to keep in mind when planning courses is Major Prep > IGETC

4

If that’s really what you were told then find different counselors. While it is often recommended since it ensures you have satisfied the GE requirements no matter what UC or CSU you end up at, it is not a requirement as implied by “need”.

I’m hoping this is just a case of you not completely understanding what the counselors are saying. When you ask them “what should I take” they will of course recommend IGETC plus major requirements but they shouldn’t be tellling you that you must take IGETC. Note, too, there is such a thing as being certified for partial IGETC meaning you fulfilled the GE requirements in some areas but not all.

5

@mikemac is correct that IGETC is not required for UC Irvine.

Source: http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/transfer/preparation-paths/psychology-majors/ucirvine-psychology.html

However, to keep your options open, UCLA and Cal Psychology require IGETC or equivalent and UCSD highly recommends it as well. Generally, as a non-STEM major it’s good idea to complete it regardless of where you go.

Edit: Added source

6

I agree with @sdgoldenbear, completing IGETC will keep you competitive at all four UCs, and that link he posted suggests even Irvine’s psych dept says IGETC will get you toward your degree quicker. There’s no real win for you not to do IGETC.