How I Transferred at a City College to a Top University in California
Every community college is unique, but the general process often is the same. Just discover the corresponding forms/locations at your school. I'd preferably be as precise as possible, rather than being general and appeal to everybody - which isn't possible. I will be speaking from my experience at City College of San Francisco and Universities of California. The following can help in figuring out how to transfer and the best actions to look at when choosing and adding classes.
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Step 1: Go to the Transfer Center
This is quite simple: go to the Transfer Center! A load of knowledge and resources are located here. Spend some time here and look at everything that is offered - especially many of the helpful petition forms! Meet with an advisor and have them help determine your academic career. Finding a GOOD one is key, and that may take a couple tries.
Step 2: Determine What Classes to Take
In the meantime, grab the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program form(s), the IGETC form(s), and the Associates Degree form(s) . You should be taking classes that complete the requirements detailed on these forms, and make sure these are transferable on Assist.org. When you do, you are able to turn in the forms and sign a TAG with any UC (besides UCB and UCLA - which have their own transfer programs); IGETC fulfills the General Education requirements when you transfer and an Associates Degree requirements can usually done consecutively. By the way, State Universities are an option when using the TAG, but UCs will carry slightly more weight in the future.
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Step 3: Take Off The Terrible Grades
Have a bad GPA? Have a ton of D’s/F’s? Not a problem. You may either retake them for a higher grade or apply for Academic Renewal to exclude them out of your GPA computation. However, you're able to only do that one time! So make certain to save it for when you're about to transfer, right before applying for the colleges. It goes without saying, its best to retake the course and obtain a higher grade that can count in your transcript.
Step 4: Pick the Right Classes
Use Rate My Professors to look for all the easy professors/courses, or at least have a look at them to know what to look forward to. These are usually the classes that fill up in a short time, so be quick. Some professors will not be listed or have limited info, so you should be asking your friends if they know of any laid-back classes to take. It’s usually fine even if it gets filled, but you will have to make a bit of extra effort (see below).
Step 5: Quick Words of advice
If a class is full and the professor has announced it several times already, you can STILL add it! Typically, you may just sit in a class long enough until someone drops, which always happen! Keep asking the professor directly - if you’re persistent enough, they tend to give in. They are more willing should you present a significant reason why you would need the class - perhaps its the last class you need to transfer? Create a reason. You may also look at petition forms for late adds, over max units, overlapping schedules, etc.
Most significantly, be in search of opportunities. It seems that numerous fresh college students don't understand that things aren’t handed to them anymore. You must go out and look for it yourself, and the world is full of it! Keep asking questions. Never stop learning, never stop exploring.