I’m going to attend a four-year university OOS and then try to transfer to a UC. I want to have the GE courses for my major (biology) completed before I transfer so my application has a better chance of getting accepted. I’m having some confusion because my current school goes by semesters (hours) and UC(LA) is by quarters (units).
Say a certain category of GE courses requires 3 courses, 15 units minimum (5 each). At semester schools it is typical for one course to be 3 semester hours, which is 4.5 units (I believe you just multiply 1.5x). If I were to take three courses in that category at my school (9 semester hours), that would convert to 13.5 units.
Would they accept this because I still took the required number of courses in each category? Or would I have to take two courses in each category just to meet the minimum unit requirement? I already shot UCLA Undergraduate Admissions an email but I have yet to receive a response. Just wondering if any of you know how this would work. 
You just need to take the minimum unit requirement, basically. You need 60 semester units or 90 quarter units by the end of your sophomore year to transfer. Hope that helps.
Yes but to graduate with your major from UCLA you need a certain number of quarter units completed in the respective GE categories. By converting semester units to quarter units, the same number of courses doesn’t meet the minimum unit requirement. That’s why I’m a bit confused as to what I should do.
60 semester units = 90 quarter units.
You would have to take an average of 15 semester units per semester, or 30 per year, to be able to transfer. 3 classes in one semester is generally a light courseload; you’ll have to increase it in order to be eligible to transfer to another 4-year.
It’s far easier to transfer from a California Community College than an OOS 4-year college, so if you have your heart set on transferring to a UC, I recommend that route. 2-years at a CCC should give you California residency, such that you won’t have to pay out of state tuition at a UC (I THINK - I know people who’ve done this, but I don’t know the exact details of what it takes to get CA residency.)
Sorry I think you’re misunderstanding. I’m taking more than 3 courses a semester (I’m taking 4-6). By 3 courses I was referring to how many courses are required in some Foundation Areas in GE requirements. I know how many units are required to transfer, however my question is about GE courses. Having GE courses done before I transfer isn’t a requirement but it will increase my chances. When UCLA receives my application, they will review the courses I took that are eligible to count as GE courses on a case-by-case basis. In this situation, the same number of GE courses at my school equals less quarter units than the same number of GE courses at UCLA. Same number of courses, but less unit credit. I wanna know if they’ll be okay with that because of the difference in semester/quarter or if I will have to take way more units than required. I think I’ll give Undergraduate Admissions a call this coming week.
I know how to get CA residency but it would be tough. Tuition cost isn’t a factor for now.
You need to speak with someone at the UC. I think I know what you’re saying and there are unit minimums for a course to get credit. For instance IGETC is 3 semester/4 quarter minimum per course or you will not get credit. In other words, a 3 quarter unit course will not fulfill IGETC gen ed, as it is under the minimum 4 qtr units. They also will not combine disparate courses to fulfill one course requirement (example: Eng 120 and 121 at 3 qtr units cannot be combined into one course, even if a related subject). They will do it possibly if in a legitimate sequence they approve, but you will always lose units, as they’ll combine courses to fulfill one (English 1a,b,c composition series - you take a and b, you might get 4 qtr units and have it count as one comp course.
I assume it is similar with breadth. But the only person that can adequately answer this is the UC.
I see. You’re right I should speak to someone at a UC because this is fairly technical. I heard they make exceptions if you are fairly close (0.5-1 units off).
If you have 59.999 units, they will not cut you slack, so don’t count on that.
Re: CA residency, it is much more than just living in CA and going to school here. You have to prove intent to live here past graduation, which is pretty difficult to do.
I second golden cub about the CC-> UC route. Also, make sure you are staying under the unit limit by not taking upper division classes.
That’s not what I’m talking about, I know I need 60 units to transfer. My question is about whether or not I will meet the minimum units required for GE courses specifically.Thanks for the help though, I’ll just call them soon.
Since you just started, just make sure every GE course is at least 3 semester units and you should be golden. Three unit semester courses will all translate into the correct minimum quarter units in terms of GE. And for English do the entire year, not part of it.
The way they calculate some units as I noted above, in incomplete series, you will probably lose some units. But yes, I have heard, depending on course situation, you might get a half point more at one UC than another - if it’s in a variable position. But you are way ahead of yourself. That’s unlikely and I wouldnt worry about it.
Just make sure you have 60 transferable semester units. Every CCC (except two) is on the semester system and it all works out fine.
@revofev go to the link noted below. Lower down on the page click on UC eligibility courses and go through the list. If your major requires IGETC for gen Ed, go through that list.
I chose UCLA because it’s the quarter system and a random CCC on the semester system. It notes the courses at the CCC that fulfill the UCLA gen Ed courses. Look and see what the units are for the CCC courses. Use that as a gauge as to the units you need your course to be.
You can choose any UC.
You can also plug in major and see the courses required for the major as well as the semester unit count for the CCC matching course. This should alleviate your fears. It will also tell you if the major wants IGETC at the top.
http://web1.assist.org/web-assist/tcaAgreement.do?inst2=none&inst1=none&type=ucop&ia=MATEO&ay=15-16
Btw, if a UC course is, say, 4 semester units and a course is accepted as matching that is 3 semester units, you only get the 3 units. In other words, you only get the equivalent of what your college awarded you.,
Thank you very much! This is exactly what I was looking for. I’ll focus on having at least 60 valid semester units completed, the rest should fall in place hopefully.