Hi, I am a currently a senior in high school planning to attend UCSC this fall. I hope to transfer to UCB as a biomedical engineering major and I was wondering if anyone has any tips or recommendations when it comes to transferring.
If you want to transfer, it’s best to go to a CCC. It’s incredibly difficult to transfer between UC campuses. Not impossible, just very difficult, especially to UCB as a STEM major.
If you’ve decided to go to UCSC and transfer to Cal, just make sure you keep a high gpa, plan out taking the necessary courses for your major in advance, have enough units, and so forth. Assist.org is a great resource to see which classes articulate.
Agree with ^^^. UCB is the hardest to transfer UC-UC. Not that it can’t be done, but difficult. Plus, you might have a lower GPA at UCSC making it more difficult. It may be less glamorous but you could have a pretty clear shot if you go CCC-UCB.
@goldencub @lindyk8 Why would it be easier at a CCC?
@Shajaatx UC’s accept more CC students for transfer because they cannot get a Bachelor’s degree at a CC. If you’re going to a UC, you probably don’t have as good of a reason to transfer, it’s more that you want to rather than you need to. Also, CC’s are easier than UC’s, so you would be able to maintain a higher gpa at a CC than at UCSC (probably).
@goldencu do you by know anything about assist.org? If so, in the required courses for admission section, are the right hand column classes equivalent to the classes at the college you want to transfer to? Also, are those what they consider GE classes?
Yes, the right hand courses are the courses that match the UC courses (the term is articulate). You can look up any community college in assist, pick a UC, and then a major and see the major req and what classes articulate to the UC ones. The major req remain the same, but the actual articulated courses and whether or not they are available will be different at each CCC.
Re breadth/ ge, look at the top of the page on assist listing the major req. It will say breadth or IGETC. IGETC is another form of ge requirements. You either fulfill UGETC or breadth, depending on major. An easy way to check out IGETC if you know your CCC is just google IGETC and the community college name. That particular IGETC form should show up and will tell you all the courses at that CCC that fulfill the IGETC categories.
Depending on UC campus, anywhere from 90-94% of transfers come from the CCCs.
If you want more information, I am attempting to transfer from UCSC to other UCs as an engineering major. But like the above posters, I would HIGHLY recommend going to a community college. You’d have much more resources and a greater advantage
CC is the way to go.
Also, do we need to complete all GE’s to transfer?
At CC, there is a general education program that many people (myself included) follow, called IGETC. It’s easy to complete in your two years, just make sure it’s done. If you have AP test units, that can probably knock out some requirements, which is always great.
And yes, it’s really best to complete all GE’s. I think there are some other requirements to be done before graduation at UC’s, but I’m not really familiar with them.
And also, just to clarify, I have to take all required classes as said on assist.org, and I should finish my GE’s?
[Also, sorry for all the questions.]
Do you think it is possible to finish all requirements in one year?
I’ve heard of someone who took over 60 units in a year (33 semester units one semester) and she got into Cal. That’s just a crazy example, so yes it is possible, but highly unlikely. I could never do that, and I’m sure about 99% of other CC students would agree.
It IS possible, however, to finish everything in a year if you have a large amount of AP units (from passed AP tests, with a score of 3 or higher). Then it’s possible, but still it’s incredibly difficult to finish all of your prerequisites for your major, fulfill your general education / IGETC, and transfer in a year. If you’re going to a CC, plan on staying there for two years. You need at least 60 units + prereq’s + general education fulfilled (it’s better to complete it than not) to transfer, it’s almost impossible to transfer in a year unless you have unusual circumstances and plan everything in advance, but I highly recommend not to attempt to do that.
Ah I see. If I want to finish in two years would you recommend I take the summer sessions?
@shaj It depends. Do you have AP credit?
You need at least 60 semester units. That’s at least 15 units per semester (15x4=60), unless you take summer classes (which are quickly-paced, but are a good way to increase the amount of units you have in a short amount of time). Lets say you take two classes, or about 6 units in the summer. Then you wouldn’t have to take 15 units for two semesters.
I’ll give you the details of my transfer plan, so you get an idea. Classes are generally 3-4 units. A full courseload is 12+ units, but people often take more than 12. I’d suggest not taking too many courses your first semester of college, but I digress:
I had a 3 on an AP Literature exam, which translates to 5.333 UC units and knocks out English 1A (introductory college english) from my general ed.
Fall 2014: 13 units
Spring 2015: 14 units
Summer 2015: 7 units
Fall 2015: 13-14 units
Spring 2016: 13-14 units
With them all added, I’ll have about 66.33-68.33 units. I think the cap for transferable units is 70 semester units, although I could be wrong. I planned out all of my classes ahead of time to be sure that I will have finished my IGETC, major prerequisites, and take enough units without having too much on my plate. Some people might not want to take summer classes, and some might. If you do, try not to take too many courses. I’d maybe suggest taking a course or two (introductory courses) at a CC before you attend, if you do wish to go that route. UCSC is still a great school, and I have friends who love it there. Community college is still a great option if you want a second chance to apply to college with a blank slate (high school grades are not counted).
It isn’t too difficult to transfer in two years; some people take more or less time, but it’s definitely manageable. Talk to counselors ahead of time to make sure you’re taking what you need to take, plan out everything really far in advance, and don’t overwhelm yourself.
Ah thank you for the information. Also, do you know TAG is? I kind of get a sense of what it is but am not fully sure. And can I use it even if I am trying to transfer from a UC?
@Shajaatx no, TAG is only for CC students.
@Shajaatx If you were to go to a CC, you would not be able to TAG to UC Berkeley, UCLA, or UCSD, but you will for any of the other UC’s. Essentially, if you keep a certain GPA (I’m not sure exactly what it is, I think 3.4?) and complete all of some necessary requirements, you will get guaranteed transfer into that certain school. You have to complete all of the necessary requirements, though.
Again, as luckie said, no, TAG is not for UC students.