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FAQs

Transfer Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Thinking about transferring, but not sure where to start? Below you'll find answers to common questions, plus a few helpful things to know along the way. If you have additional questions please reach out to your counselor or the Transfer Center at 619-388-3722 to schedule an appointment.

1. Can I transfer as an undeclared major?

Many universities do not allow students to transfer as undeclared. Unlike freshman applicants, transfer students typically need to choose a major in order to submit an application. There are some exceptions.

Your major determines some of the courses that you complete at City College. In fact, some schools may require that students complete a series of “major preparation” courses prior to transfer. Waiting too long to select a major may prolong transfer.

If you need support with choosing a career, consider taking a personal growth class such as PERG 130 (Career & Life Planning). You may also discuss your career options with your counselor, or meet with a counselor in the Transfer/Career Center (room A-301).

2. City College doesn’t have the major I want. What should I do?

Community colleges don't offer every major but, for transfer students, completing the right coursework often matters more than the major itself. Meet with a counselor to build an education plan that includes general education and major preparation coursework, or an appropriate Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) if applicable.

3. How many units do I need to transfer?

California community college students receive the highest priority for UC and CSU transfer admission when they apply as upper-division (junior-level) transfers with at least 60 transferable semester units, that includes specific coursework.

Transfer units are typically made up of specific general education and major preparation courses, and may include elective units if needed to reach the 60 unit minimum.

For private or out-of-state colleges, you may be able to transfer with as few as 12-24 units, depending on the institution. 

4. What’s the maximum number of units I can transfer into a university?

At CSU and UC campuses, a maximum of 70 lower division transferable semester units may be transferred and count toward your bachelor's degree. Units beyond 70 can still satisfy major prep, general education, and other requirements. Private and out-of-state colleges set their own transfer unit limits, which may be higher or lower.

If you’ve previously attended a four-year college or university, have completed upper division transfer units, or have earned a bachelor’s degree, meet with a counselor to discuss your units.

5. How long will it take me to transfer?

The amount of required transfer coursework varies by campus and major. Students in majors with fewer prep requirements, or who've completed courses through Dual Enrollment in high school, may finish in as little as two years. STEM majors and others with extensive prep may take longer. A counselor can help you map out a realistic timeline based on your major and goals.

6. What GE pattern should I follow: Cal-GETC, IGETC, or CSU GE Breadth?

Starting Fall 2025, Cal-GETC is the single general education (GE) pattern for transfer to both the UC and CSU systems. Students who began community college before Fall 2025 and have maintained continuous enrollment may continue to follow the IGETC or CSU GE Breadth, or switch to Cal-GETC if it's beneficial.

In some cases, students may choose to follow the lower-division GE pattern of their specific transfer university. 

Keep in mind:

  • SDSU Guarantee: Students who wish to be considered for admission through the SDSU guarantee program must complete either Cal-GETC, IGETC, or the CSU GE Breadth.
  • UC transfer: At minimum, students need to complete the 7-course pattern along with GPA and unit requirements. However, completing a full GE pattern can also help you meet graduation requirements at your transfer school.
  • STEM majors: Meet with your counselor to determine the best pattern for your major.

7. If I received a D or an F grade in a course do I have to repeat it?

It depends on the course. Major preparation courses, coursework applied to your major for an Associate Degree or Associate Degree for Transfer, and courses used to meet Cal-GETC or IGETC must be completed with a C or better. 

If you receive a D in an elective course, it may still count toward your transfer units. F grades do not count for credit. 

If you received a D, F or NP grade at City, Mesa, or Miramar, you may choose to enroll in the course again. Once the course is completed, Academic Renewal by Course Repetition is automatically applied and noted on your transcript, and the original grade is no longer calculated in your GPA. The original grade will still appear on your transcript with a notation that academic renewal was applied.

If you no longer need the course and don't wish to repeat it, you may be eligible for Academic Renewal Without Course Repetition. Certain requirements apply; meet with your counselor.

Note: If you received a D or F at an institution outside of the SDCCD and want to repeat the course at City, speak with your counselor. Some transfer institutions have their own academic renewal policies and may still include the original grade in their GPA calculation. 

8. What is an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT), and do I need one?

An ADT (AA-T or AS-T) is a special associate degree designed for transfer into the California State University (CSU) system. If you're applying to a CSU campus, an ADT can give you some advantages:

  • Guaranteed admission in the CSU system at junior standing
  • Priority admission consideration at CSU campuses with a similar major
  • Only 60 more units needed to finish your bachelor's degree after transfer
  • .1 bump in your transfer GPA at some impacted institutions

Important: The ADT guarantees admission to the CSU system, not to a specific campus. If you are not admitted to the CSU campuses that you apply to, your application can be redirected to a CSU campus that has space for your major (or similar major).

UC-bound students may also find it beneficial to complete an ADT when it aligns with your major and/or if you’re also considering CSU campuses.

If there is no ADT for your major, you’re encouraged to meet with your counselor to discuss other Associate Degree options that you can choose to complete, often with no additional coursework required. These associate degrees do not carry the ADT benefits noted aboved.

9. What does it mean that my major is "impacted"?

A campus or major is impacted when it receives far more qualified applicants than it has space for. Impaction often means the campus uses additional criteria, such as higher GPA standards, completion of major prep courses, and/or local admission area priority (for CSU campuses), to guide admission decisions.

Commonly impacted CSU campuses: SDSU, CSU Long Beach, CSU Fullerton, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and San Jose State. Some majors at other CSU campuses are also impacted. 

UC campuses: All UCs are competitive, and some majors are more selective than others, often using additional criteria beyond the minimum requirements.

A counselor can help you understand impaction at your target schools and plan the strongest preparation given your major.

10. What GPA do I need to transfer?

Minimum GPA requirements are 2.0 for CSU and 2.4 for UC (California residents). The UC requires a 2.8 minimum GPA for non-residents. These are minimum GPA requirements, often not the GPAs that are competitive for admission. Local private colleges such as USD will also have competitive admissions. Students desiring guaranteed admission to SDSU must meet specific course and GPA requirements.

If you are concerned about your GPA, talk to a counselor. There are options, including academic renewal and strategic course planning.

11. Is there a way to guarantee admission to a college as a transfer student?

There are several programs that provide guaranteed admission for transfer students who meet specific criteria. Below are the most common guaranteed pathways:

  • Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT): Guarantees admission to the CSU system for students who complete an ADT, though not necessarily to your first-choice campus or major. ADTs also give you priority consideration at participating CSU campuses for similar majors. See majors offered in the SDCCD. Some private and independent California colleges accept the ADT for guaranteed admission through the AICCU Pathway.
  • SDSU - SDCCD Guarantee: Guaranteed admission to most SDSU majors exclusively for City, Mesa and Miramar students who meet the program requirements.
  • UC Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG): Qualified students can get guaranteed admission to one of six UC campuses (Davis, Irvine, Merced, Riverside, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz) if they meet specific requirements, and their major is available through TAG. UCLA, Berkeley, and San Diego do not participate in TAG.
  • UC San Diego UniversityLink: Guaranteed admission for students with a household income of less than $40,000 with a 3.5 transferable GPA. Students must sign an agreement in their senior year of high school or first year of community college. Former foster youth and active duty military or veterans have exceptions to these requirements.
  • CSU Transfer Success Pathway (TSP): A guaranteed admission program to any CSU campus with a participating TSP major. Students must sign in their first semester of college, no later than October 31, meet program requirements, including transferring within 3 years.
  • HBCU Transfer Guarantee: California community college students who earn at least 30 transferable units or an ADT with a 2.0 GPA or higher are guaranteed admission to over 35 partner Historically Black Colleges and Universities through this statewide agreement.

12. Do I need a minor?

A minor is a secondary focus of study that you may choose alongside your major at the university to support your career goals, prepare for graduate school, or simply because you’re interested in the field. Most minors require 18 or more units to complete. Students are not required to have a minor. Not every school offers minors, and not every major has one available.

13. When should I start applying for transfer?

Most schools offer admission for all majors for the fall semester. The timeline for fall transfer to UC and CSU campuses is below:

  • August 1: UC and CSU applications open for the following fall. Students can begin filling out most sections of the application.
  • October 1: UC and CSU application filing periods begin for the following fall. Students can submit the application beginning October 1.
  • November 30: UC application deadline for the following fall. CSU priority application deadline (including SDSU and most impacted campuses; some campuses will extend their deadlines).

Some CSU campuses offer spring admission. Spring applicants will apply July 1 - August 31 for the spring 2027 cycle. Beginning with the spring 2028 cycle, the application filing period will be from July 1 - July 31. Once the filing period begins, you may check Cal State Apply to see if your campus has openings. Note: SDSU historically has limited options for spring transfer students.

Some schools require supplemental applications in addition to the applications noted above (e.g. CSULB, SJSU, UC Berkeley Haas School of Business), and some majors require portfolios, auditions, etc.

Private universities and out-of-state schools set their own deadlines. Review each campus's website or check-in with your counselor. 

14. How many schools should I apply to?

There's no magic number, though your list may include a balance of the following:

  • Schools where admission is likely based on your GPA and major preparation, or guaranteed through programs like UC TAG, the SDSU - SDCCD Guarantee, CSU TSP, and the HBCU Transfer Guarantee.
  • Schools that are less impacted where your GPA and major preparation align well with admitted students.
  • Highly competitive or impacted campuses or programs where you're a strong applicant, though the campus admits a limited number of transfer students.

Even with guaranteed admission, applying to more than one school on your list gives you choices in case something unexpected comes up through the application process, or your life changes course. 

Some students already have a dream school in mind, while others are still deciding and seeing how life (and scholarships) unfold. Give yourself options and apply to schools that match your needs and interests.

Application fees are $70 per CSU campus and $80 per UC campus. Many students who qualify for financial aid will also qualify for up to four CSU and four UC application fee waivers, which means those applications are free.

15. I’m considering a school out of state. How does transfer work?

Out-of-state transfer takes a bit more planning, and students do it successfully every year. Each university sets its own transfer requirements and timeline. Start by checking the admissions website directly to learn what is required for transfer students, including unit requirements, application filing periods, GPA, etc.

Work with your counselor to create a plan for out-of-state transfer. A few things to keep in mind:

  • If you're looking at a school in the western U.S., check whether it is part of the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE). WUE offers significantly reduced tuition for residents of participating states.
  • If you're considering an HBCU, the Common Black College Application makes the process easier. One application fee covers multiple HBCUs. If you're applying to an HBCU partner school, your counselor can share an application code that waives the application fee for a limited number of partner colleges. Sign up through the HBCU program database to make sure you receive information about HBCU programs and scholarships.

16. I have previous college credits. Do I have to report those grades on my application or can I start over?

Students are required to report every college attended even if they would prefer to start over. Prior college attendance can be verified through national enrollment records. Leaving an institution off your application can result in your admission offer being rescinded or your degree being revoked. 

Students are encouraged to submit outside transcripts as soon as possible, and submit a request for transcript evaluation through JIRA once all transcripts have been received.

17. How will I afford a four-year university?

The tuition at a four-year university is higher than at City College, especially if you’re considering private and out-of-state schools. The good news: many students who transfer into CSU and UC campuses graduate with little to no debt. Here are some tips:

  • Submit your FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) for the coming year as soon as possible during the filing period, and include every campus you're considering. Each financial aid office will review your aid based on their cost of attendance.
  • Know your limits. Pell and Cal Grant have lifetime limits. If you've been enrolled at City for several years, check with our Financial Aid Office to see what you have left.
  • UC Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan. Most California families with household incomes under $100,000 have their UC system-wide tuition fully covered by the UC Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan, in combination with other aid. Complete your FAFSA or CADAA on time to ensure you’re eligible.
  • Apply for transfer scholarships. Many schools offer scholarships specifically for transfer students. National University and the University of San Diego offer generous scholarships for transfer students. Many UC campuses review your Personal Insight Questions to assess for scholarship elibility.
  • Out-of-state options. The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) offers reduced tuition at participating schools in the western U.S.
  • Follow instructions from each campus carefully. Aid offers, deadlines, and required documents vary, and missing a step can delay or reduce your aid.

A counselor or financial aid advisor can help you think through your options.

18. What happens after I submit my transfer application?

Submitting your transfer application is a major milestone, but you’re not finished yet. Here's what to expect after you submit your application:

  • Expect a confirmation email from each campus soon after you submit your application.
  • Watch for a separate email from each campus inviting you to create an applicant portal account. This usually arrives within a few weeks of submitting your application. Set up your portal right away. This is where you'll receive important to-do items like transcript requests, supplemental applications, and verification steps. Check it regularly, and check your spam and promotions folders too if you haven't received anything by the end of December.
  • By the end of January, CSU applicants must complete the Academic History Update in Cal State Apply; UC applicants must complete the Transfer Academic Update (TAU) inside of the UC application. Both are due by January 31. Missing these will disqualify you from admission at many schools.
  • Some campuses and majors may require supplemental application material, portfolios, auditions, etc. Review this information on the department websites and in your portal carefully.
  • CSU campuses begin sending decisions as early as February, UC campuses typically notify students throughout the month of April.

19. What is GE Certification?

GE Certification confirms that you have completed the lower division general education requirements for transfer using the CSU GE Breadth, IGETC, or Cal-GETC. Once certified, the university does require that you complete additional lower division general education courses. There are a few exceptions. Please check with your counselor. Note: Most students are required to fulfill a series of upper division general education courses established by your transfer institution in order to graduate from the university. If requested, your GE certification will be sent to the university that you choose once accepted.

20. Besides GE courses, how do I know which courses transfer to my university and major?

The following resources may be helpful in determining which courses transfer:

  • ASSIST.org: The official source for course articulation between California community colleges and UC and CSU campuses. Shows exactly which City College courses meet major prep and GE for your target campus and major.
  • San Diego City College Course Catalog: Transferable courses are noted in the course description with either a CSU, UC or private college notation. 
  • Transferology: You may use this to match courses you took outside of the San Diego Community College District to SDSU courses, for example.
  • Counselor appointment: Work with a counselor to discuss your transfer course plan.

If you've completed coursework outside of the San Diego Community College District, submit your transcripts as soon as possible, then request a Transcript Evaluation. This process may take a few months to complete.

21. How can I visit the campuses I’m interested in?

The City College Transfer Center tours local campuses each year, and occasionally an out-of-area school. Some universities offer college tours and fly-in programs at no cost to students. For example, UCSD’s SPACES program hosts a southern California college tour of a variety of UC campuses. Students are strongly encouraged to create accounts in the CSU Transfer Planner and/or the UC Transfer Admission Planner (UC TAP) so that you can follow campuses and programs of interest and receive information and opportunities from the programs you’re most interested in. There are also many virtual opportunities to connect with campuses and programs including webinars and virtual campus tours.