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TRANSFER TO A FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY

PATHWAY TO THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITYCommunity college offers many ways to prepare you to transfer to a four-year college or university. One way is the new Associate Degree for Transfer program (AA-T/AS-T), which makes it easier for students to transfer between the California Community Colleges and California State University (CSU) systems. This program gives you the opportunity to complete both your associate and bachelor’s degrees in only 120 units. For more information on the Associate Degree for Transfer, visit ADegreeWithAGuarantee.com.

PATHWAY TO THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIAApproximately 15,000 community college students transfer to a University of California (UC) campus every year, many via UC’s Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program. The majority of UC campuses offer the admission guarantee if you meet the criteria. The UC system also provides an online Transfer Admission Planner tool to help you along the way. You can find the tool at http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/transfer/index.html.

PATHWAY TO AN INDEPENDENT COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITYCalifornia’s independent colleges and universities are a good choice for many students. There are more than 75 non-profit, independent colleges throughout the state. More information about each institution can be found at www.californiacolleges.edu.

HOW DO I CHOOSE?To find out which transfer pathway is right for you, meet with a counselor and visit the Transfer Center on your local community college campus to review your options and learn how to develop an education plan that meets your goals and needs.

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ASSESSMENT CENTERPlacement or assessment examinations will determine the level of English and math courses you need to enroll in. You can’t “fail” a placement or assessment exam – these exams simply help you choose the correct courses. Check with your college to find out when and how to take the placement exams.

COUNSELINGWorking with a counselor from the start is a great way to develop a plan, succeed in your classes, and stay on track with reaching your transfer goal.

EOPSIf you are struggling academically, facing financial hardship, or having a hard time with your language skills, the Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) office can offer support.

TRANSFER CENTERPlanning to transfer begins immediately. Stop by your college’s Transfer Center to become familiar with the available resources. Counselors are there to help you explore your options and develop a plan to transfer to a four-year college or university.

IMPORTANT OFFICES AND PROGRAMS

Photo CreditsSpecial thanks to the following colleges:City College of San FranciscoCollege of the DesertFolsom Lake CollegeLos Angeles Pierce CollegeSan Joaquin Delta College

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1. ENROLL IN THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF YOUR CHOICETo enroll in a California community college, you must submit a completed application to the admissions office, or apply online at www.cccapply.org.

2. TAKE YOUR ASSESSMENT EXAMS & COMPLETE ORIENTATIONThe next step is to complete orientation and take English and math placement tests. Visit your community college Assessment Center to schedule an appointment. The placement tests will help you choose an appropriate level of courses to enroll in, and orientation is a great way for you to become familiar with the college and its available services. To see how orientation, assessment, and education planning can keep you on the fast track, visit http://stepforward.cccco.edu.

3. MEET WITH A COUNSELOR After completing your placement tests, make an appointment with a counselor to discuss your course choices, educational goals and transfer plans. This is when you should develop an initial education plan to help you set your priorities, and create a transfer timeline so you can stay on track in reaching your higher education goals. When meeting with your counselor, you will most likely be asked if you plan to transfer to a UC, CSU or private college. By knowing where you want to go early on, you will be able to develop a complete education plan and reach your goals faster.

4. REGISTER FOR CLASSESYou will register for classes each semester or quarter, either in person at the registration office or online. Be sure to begin your math and English courses your first year.

5. APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AIDYou may be able to receive financial aid from federal, state and institutional programs, in the form of scholarships, grants, loans and work study. Visit the California Community Colleges “I Can Afford College” website, at www.icanaffordcollege.com, for information on the many types of aid available, and when and how to apply.

6. SELECT A SPECIFIC FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY Choosing the college or university you would like to attend is one of your toughest choices. If you haven’t already determined where you would like to transfer, now is the time to make that decision. Make a list of what’s important to you and compare the results against each college you are considering. Meet with campus representatives, and visit the colleges. If you cannot visit in person, many campus websites offer online video tours.

7. APPLY TO YOUR FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY OF CHOICETo be as competitive as possible, keep your grades up in community college and make sure you meet the admissions requirements for the college/university and the major that interests you. Submit all application materials by the posted deadlines.

SEVEN STEPS TO SUCCESSFULLY TRANSFERRING

TRANSFER BEGINS DAY ONEIf you’re interested in advancing your academic career, there’s never been a better time. Starting your higher education at a California community college is a great way to take your general education and major preparation courses at a lower cost, and then transfer to a four-year college or university to complete your bachelor’s degree.

Nearly 90,000 California community college students transfer to four-year colleges or universities each year. Twenty-nine percent of students graduating from University of California, and 51 percent from California State University, started at a community college.