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Transfer Steps

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Planning to Transfer to a University?

Transfer 101 is your go-to workshop for understanding key steps in the transfer process. This workshop will cover just about everything you need to know, including: transfer coursework, guaranteed admission programs, application timelines and more. There's also time for questions and answers. Sign up for a Transfer 101 workshop below!

Sign Up

 

Key Goals: Discover & Connect

Welcome to San Diego City College - a place many of us call home, and a community committed to your success. This phase of your transfer journey is about more than choosing a major or career. It’s a time to reflect, get to know more about  who you are, what you care about, and what kind of future you want to build.

This phase focuses on exploration - getting to know yourself, your interests, your options, and your community college. Here, you’ll reflect on your goals, discover what interests you, and begin connecting with the people and programs that will support your success.

We’ve outlined six key action steps at this stage to help you get started. You may move through these action steps in your own way; each one is designed to support your growth and help you move toward transfer with clarity.

Expand the tabs below to explore the key actions you'll take in this part of your journey!

College isn’t just a new place - you're stepping in to a whole new system. Understanding what’s expected of you makes a big difference and can even impact how long it takes you to transfer. Your professors will expect that you understand the time commitment it will take to complete your assignments, the policies on adding and dropping courses, etc.

Confusion

Learning the “college culture” means understanding how and where to ask for help, how to navigate deadlines, and how to show up for your own success.

To get started:

  • Review key semester and academic deadlines found in the class schedule and your mySDCCD portal.

  • Take a PERG 120 Course (College Success & Lifelong Learning)

  • Review your syllabi for each class carefully, writing down key assignments and deadlines

  • Work with your counselor to determine how many hours you need to study per week

  • Sign up for a time management workshop in the Tutoring Center.

We want you to navigate the transfer process as smoothly as possible. Explore the various programs that support transfer students early and find a community! To build your support network you may: 

  • Attend the Summer Transferpalooza Conference to connect with other new transfer students and transfer programs. 
  • Explore programs like Umoja, Puente, Hermanos Unidos Brothers United (HUBU), and the MESA Program.
  • Ask your peers at the Welcome Center about their experiences navigating college, what programs they were part of, etc.
  • Check in with a Counselor regarding programs and services that may support your goals.

College is a time when many students begin asking big questions like, “Who am I?” and “What am I doing here?” Dr. Dan Siegel, Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at UCLA, reminds us that identity isn’t fixed - we are always becoming. This allows us to have grace for where we are, and this makes your time here especially meaningful.

During your first semester (or even earlier), we invite you to explore what matters to you: your values, your interests, and your vision for the future. The more you understand about your “why,” the more grounded and confident you’ll feel as you make decisions about your major, career, and transfer path. Knowing your why can help you remain connected with your goals (or even "your purpose") when the journey feelings challenging.

To support this process, you may: 

  • Enroll in a Personal Growth course like PERG 120 or PERG 130 for a structured path toward self-discovery
  • Spend some intentional time thinking about yourself, your future, and defining what success looks like to you.
  • Journal about your goals, dreams and direction.
  • Meet with a counselor to support self-exploration.

Please know that some students find it helpful to name their ‘why,’ while others find motivation in different ways. 

Over the course of your first semester, or even your first year, you'll want to actively pursue this question: What kind of career do I want? To find this out, consider things that interest you, and that you're curious about. You may want to do some some self-exploration where you can examine your needs, values, interests, skills, strengths and personality type. You may wish to: 

Please know that it's okay to not have your career completely figured out! You're not "behind" if your career hasn't been decided.

Enjoy this time of exploration and remain open to discovering more about yourself and careers that may suit you!

Your major is the course of study that you will pursue in college. Some majors are career-specific, meaning they prepare you for a specific career, such as Nursing and Accounting. Other majors, like English or Psychology, are great foundations and can prepare you broadly for many careers. To identify your major you may: 

Even if San Diego City College does not have your exact major, you can still plan for a successful transfer with the support of your counselor.

What are you looking for in your transfer university? Which colleges have your major? You'll want to narrow down your transfer options as you prepare to move into stage two of your journey.

To identify your transfer options, you may: 

  • Attend a Transfer workshop in the Transfer Center, or online.
  • Research colleges and universities that have your major.
  • Narrow down potential schools based on what matters most to you - cost, location, opportunities, fit, etc.
  • Speak with university representatives at our Fall or Spring Transfer Fair. You may reach out to representatives any time with questions through our Explore Universities page. 

Key Goals: Prepare & Plan

In this part of your journey you'll focus on gaining information and awareness about transfer requirements so that you can effectively prepare and plan for the road ahead.

By now, you may have a one or two-semester education plan. Now it's time to step forward and meet with a counselor at San Diego City College to discuss and perhaps refine your transfer goals. Your counselor will help you develop a long-term, personalized education plan aligned with your major and target universities.

Expand the tabs below to explore the action steps that will help you get ready to transfer! 

Reading a map while walking

An important action step in the transfer process is creating an educational plan with a counselor. 

An educational plan is a roadmap of classes that ensures you’ll be on track to meet the transfer requirements for your major at your chosen universities.

Your plan will outline the courses you need, including general education (GE), major preparation, and electives (if applicable), as well as a timeline for submitting your transfer application.

Your plan may also include recommendations to strengthen your transfer application and prepare for your career, such as taking honors courses, engaging in extra-curricular activities, internships, etc.

All counselors do transfer counseling! Meet with your counselor or contact the Transfer Center or General Counseling Department to connect with a counselor.

Start building relationships with your potential transfer schools. 

Many universities provide opportunities for virtual advising for prospective students wanting to explore opportunities at their campus.

Local campuses like SDSU, UCSD, San Marcos and Point Loma Nazarene create time for students throughout the year for in-person transfer advising with Admissions Counselors. 

Additional ways to connect:

  • Attend our fall or spring Transfer Fair in October and April of each year.
  • Connect with university representatives through virtual appointments or by sending an email.
  • Create a CSU Transfer Planner or UC Transfer Admission Planner account for communication from your favorite schools and programs.
  • Visit campuses in person through one of our university tours, on your own, or virtually.
  • Join university webinars and workshops to learn about admissions, financial aid, and student life.
  • Follow universities on social media to stay updated on deadlines and opportunities

Explore our events and workshops page for information on upcoming transfer visits and events.

Stay on track for transfer by completing the required coursework for your university and major. Transfer success depends on meeting general education (GE), major preparation courses, and GPA requirements, which vary by institution.

Most public colleges and universities in California require a minimum of 60 transferable units, including GE and major prep courses, for admission consideration.

Some students will complete the CSU General Education Breadth, IGETC or the Cal-GETC Pattern (new for students beginning fall 2025 or later) in order to meet general education requirements.

Key Goals: Apply, Decide & Transition

This is the final phase of your transfer journey, where you apply, decide, and prepare to transition to the university. It’s an exciting time filled with opportunities and big decisions and, with the support of a counselor, and other significant people in your life, you’ll finalize your transfer plans, submit your applications, and prepare for your transition.

Expand the tabs below to explore the key actions you'll take to make transfer happen!

It’s time to apply!

Complete and submit your applications for CSU, UC, private colleges, HBCU's, and out-of-state universities by the published deadlines.

The CSU and UC application deadline for fall admission is November 30 each year.

Not sure of your school's application deadline? Check in with your counselor or the Transfer Center in room A-301.

Be sure to double-check your application for accuracy prior to submission.

We recommend attending an application workshop - either through the Transfer Center or your prospective university - and attending a Transfer Application Lab for support with your application.

View our application resources pages for support..

Once you submit your application, check your email regularly for important information and to-do items from your schools. Many of these items will have deadlines so please check your email often.

The Transfer Center offers "Next Steps" workshops each December to help you understand what comes after your application is submitted. In these workshops you will:

  • Learn what to expect after you apply
  • Understand important deadlines that follow the application
  • Know when and how admissions decisions are typically released

Most City College transfer students are eligible to earn a certificate or degree prior to transfering, including the Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T, AS-T).

We encourage students to apply for graduation one semester prior to the anticipated graduation term (i.e., spring graduates are encouraged to apply during the fall semester prior.)

If you're uncertain whether or not you're eligible for graduation, please make an appointment with your counselor or visit the Transfer Center. 

Note: Students who apply for graduation are not required to participate in the commencement ceremony.

Graduation Information

Maximize your opportunities to make college affordable by submitting a FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) by the priority deadline of March 2.

You are encouraged to submit your application as early as possible. The FAFSA and CADA applications typically open on October 1 of each year. 

Explore scholarship opportunities at San Diego City College, through external organizations, and at your transfer university. Visit our Grants & Scholarships page for information about scholarships.

Many universities require that students apply for financial aid in order to be considered for a scholarship. You are encouraged to apply even if you don't think you qualify.

Once you receive your admissions offers, take some time to compare financial aid packages, review the academic programs, and campus resources to make an informed decision.

If you’re on a waitlist, get informed about your next steps.

If you were not admitted to your top choice, ask your counselor whether or not an appeal is appropriate for your situation. 

The Transfer Center is here to support you - no matter what admissions decisions you receive.

It's time to get ready for your next chapter!

Check your university portal so that you submit the following on time:

  • Statement of Intent to Enroll/Register (typically by May 1 for CSU; by June 1 for UC)
  • University fees
  • Official Transcripts (multiple may be required)
  • Housing application
  • Immunizations
  • CSU GE/IGETC/Cal-GETC Certification
  • AP/IB scores, etc

Many schools offer workshops for admitted students in the spring so that you understand what is needed to make a successful transition. Review the Transfer Center calendar or our events page for admitted student workshops held on campus in the spring. 

Additional transfer events and orientations for admitted students are available in your portal or on your university’s website.

Reaching for the stars

You did it!

Now’s the time to seek out campus programs and connect with your new university’s Transfer Center. Most campuses have one - and they often offer events, resources, and support specifically for incoming transfer students like you!

Building community early can make your transition that much smoother. Find information for some of the university transfer centers below:

 

General Timeline for Fall Transfer Students*

August

Begin working on your CSU application and/or UC application(s).

Work on your UC Personal Insight Questions 

September 30th

Submit your UC TAG application (by the September 30th deadline)

Oct. 1st–Nov. 30th

Submit your UC Application and/or CSU application(s).

January 31st

Complete the UC Transfer Academic Update and/or Academic History Update (CSU) by January 31st. Note that some schools may have a Supplemental application due in January (CSULB, SJSU, and others).

February 15th

Apply for Graduation in your mySDCCD portal for your Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT).

March

Housing contracts become available for CSU campuses.

Housing: Since campus housing is highly impacted and assigned first-come, first-served, it is recommended that you submit your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR), housing contract or application, and first housing payment as early as possible.

May 1

CSU Deadline to submit your Intent to Enroll (for many campuses), and transcripts if requested.

SDSU Transfer Admission Timeline

June 1

Deadline to submit your UC Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) and other documents as required.

UC Transfer Admission Dates & Deadlines

June 30

Deadline to submit your final transcripts/documents for coursework completed through end of spring

July 15

IGETC Certification, AP/IB scores due to the UC

September

Fall Quarter/Semester begins

 

*This is a general transfer timeline. Some campus timelines may vary. Please check your specific campus for exact deadlines.