Lesson 7: Preparing for Transfer - Print Version:

Learn: 7.1: California Higher Education Opportunities

Remember, you may want to have a copy of the Study Questions (that you printed out from the Introduction page) as you read through the text. This will help guide your reading and focus your attention on the main points of the reading.

The following table provides a comparison of four different higher education options. These options include attending:

  • A community college
  • A California State University (CSU) campus
  • A University of California campus
  • A private college or university within California

Another option students have would be to attend a four-year college out of state. Students considering this should consult the catalog for that school to learn how it compares with the information listed in the table below. Students should also contact the Transfer Center or Counseling Center for campus-specific information.

Here' s the table which will open as an Acrobat .pdf file. The table can also be found on page 19 of your Orientation Guide.

Depending on how your browser is set up, the table will open either within another browser window or within Adobe Acrobat. In either case, to resume this lesson, just come back to this page.

Another tip: you can adjust the zoom percentage at which you view the document. For example, viewing it at 100% will show the text clearly, but the whole table may not fit in the window. If you view it at 25%, you will probably see all the table, but the text may not be clear. You can go back and forth between the various percentages by changing the setting down in the lower left hand corner of the window (see graphic below):

Notes:

  • Community Colleges: There are more community colleges in California than in any other college system. They are designed to provide more immediate entry into vocational and career opportunities. They are also designed to provide transfer credit to four year colleges. Finally, they are intended for anyone interested in upgrading learning skills and pursuing life long learning experiences. They are the least expensive educational opportunity within the college system. Anyone can attend a community college if at least 18 years old and even earlier under certain conditions.

  • California State Universities (CSUs): With 23 campuses state wide, the CSU system is the largest four-year college system in California. In addition to offering the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Sciences (BS) degrees, they offer pre-professional training (i.e. law, medicine) and Master degrees. They cost more than community colleges but are less expensive than UCs and many private schools. There are minimum requirements for entry as indicated.
  • University of California: There are only 10 UCs in California and they are both more expensive in cost and more difficult to gain entry into. They have many of the same majors as do CSUs but also offer other majors including those that lead to Master degrees, doctorates and professional degrees (i.e. law, dentistry).
  • Private Colleges and Universities: Private colleges in California vary in terms of their programs as well as the philosophy behind each school. The minimum requirements for entry also vary from campus to campus. In general, private colleges tend to be the most expensive source of education in California.

 
 

Learn: 7.2: California's Higher Education System

The following graphic (p. 9 in the Orientation Guide) shows a model in the shape of a pyramid of California's higher educational system. The model is shaped this way to reflect the number of students who work upwards towards higher education goals. The model indicates approximately how many years and units it takes full time to complete a particular level of the pyramid. It also indicates the number of quarter units associated with being a freshman, sophomore, junior and senior. Finally, the model indicates what course are transferable to CSUs and UCs.

You can also link to the different systems (UC, CSU, CCC) by clicking on the linked text. Please take the time to link to some campuses that interests you.

 

Learn: 7.3: Steps For Transfer

For students who wish to extend their education to include the Bachelor degree, De Anza offers the first half of many Bachelor degree programs. Students typically transfer after completing their freshman and sophomore work at De Anza.

Each four-year institution has a basic pattern of lower division general education requirements and specific major requirements which should be fulfilled before a student transfers.

In addition to the illustration below, there is also a chart on page 29 of your Orientation Guide.

Freshman & Sophomore = Lower Division
Junior & Senior = Upper Division

Notes:

  • The UC system requires all transfer students to complete a minimum of 90 transferable units.
  • The CSU system requires all transfer students to complete a minimum of 84 transferable units.
  • Students who wish to receive an A.A. Degree from De Anza before transferring need to complete 90 degree applicable units.

 

Learn: 7.4: Frequently Asked Questions on Transfer

How do I decide if I should transfer?

If you want a four-year degree - Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Science (BS) - you are a transfer student and must plan to take the appropriate courses. You may also want a two-year degree - Associate of Arts (AA) or Science (AS.). With good course planning, you can earn an Associate degree and count the courses toward transfer.

How do I decide where to transfer?

  1. First, decide on a major in order to plan your classes accordingly. Not all colleges offer all majors. Ask a staff person in the Career Center (in room OTI 3 -see map) about using EUREKA. Eureka is a computer software program which has a Programs of Study database that gives an explanation of majors and shows which state colleges and universities offer those majors.

  2. Next, consider some very practical matters:
  • Type of Institution:
    Do you want to attend a California State University (CSU) such as San Jose State or a University of California (UC) school such as UC Santa Cruz or an independent (private) college such as Santa Clara University?
  • Competitiveness:
    How difficult is it to be admitted into the school or major? What kind of GPA is needed to be accepted? Keep in mind the minimum GPA to be eligible for consideration is often much lower than the actual GPA you will need to be selected. Also, are there additional prerequisites which must be completed before transfer?
  • Costs:
    How much can you and your family afford? CSUs are the least expensive, followed by the UCs. In general, independent universities are the most expensive. Cost, however, should not be the primary factor in your decision. Most colleges offer comprehensive financial aid and/or scholarship packages for qualified applicants.
  • Location, size, and college/community environment:
    There are numerous family and lifestyle factors to consider in choosing a college. How far away from your family and friends do you want to be? Do you prefer an urban or rural community? Do you care whether the college has a large or small population? Is a diverse student population important, and are cultural activities important to you? Are support services available? Will you need to find a job? What about campus clubs or Greek life? You can probably think of additional questions relevant to your lifestyle.

To help you with these questions, you need to be proactive in your college search. Read through different college catalogs and related literature, many of which can be found in the Transfer Center. Your instructors are a good source of information as well.  De Anza hosts Transfer Day each fall and reps appear at De Anza throughout the year to meet with interested students.

However, at some point, you should visit the campuses that appeal to you. Try to experience the campus in some way. Talk to students and listen to what they have to say. Take a guided tour and try meeting with a college rep or a major advisor.


Once I've decided on a major and a transfer school how do I prepare?

  • Articulation agreements for the major:
    Obtain the articulation agreement for your major and transfer school. If no articulation exists, then look up the lower division major requirements in the transfer school's catalog and attempt to find the equivalent De Anza courses using our catalog. A De Anza counselor can assist you with this process.
  • General education:
    Select and follow the appropriate GE pattern.
  • Additional requirements:
    Become aware of additional requirements or eligibility criteria which may be in effect with specific schools and/or majors. Examples could include higher than average GPAs or limited application filing dates.
  • Personal essay:
    If you are planning on transferring to a UC, then you will have to write a Personal Essay. You can begin to think about what kind of content you want to put in it. If you want to be able to say you were involved in some kind of student club or government, volunteer work, community service or work experience, then this would be a good time to become involved. Many private schools require some variation of the Personal Essay. Research the topics you might have to write about and allow yourself plenty of time to write a good essay.
  • Educational plan:
    After you have completed the Ed Plan for this class, come into the Counseling Center and develop a long-term Ed Plan that will show when you will be eligible to transfer.
  • Application:
    Fill out and submit your application to transfer during the appropriate time period. Students are applying more and more each year online. However, applications to the UCs and CSUs are available in the Transfer Center and Counseling Center. During the month of November, application workshops are held on a weekly basis. Contact the Transfer Center or Counseling Center for the schedule.

 

Application Filing Periods
Univ. of California (UC) Applications Accepted
Fall quarter/semester
Nov. 1 - 30 of the previous year
Winter quarter/semester
July 1 - 31 of the previous year
Spring quarter/semester
Oct. 1- 31 of the previous year
   
Note: All UCs are on the quarter system except Berkeley which generally accepts students (with few exceptions) for the Fall semester only.
   
California State Univ. (CSU) Applications Accepted
Summer
February of the same year
Fall sem./qtr.
Nov. 1 - 30 of the previous year
Winter qtr.
June 1 - 30 of the previous year
Spring sem.    
Aug. 1 - 31 of the previous year


Can I transfer at any time or must I complete all requirements before I transfer?

This depends on your transfer school, your major, and, in some cases, your high school record. The rule of thumb, however, is that you transfer as a Junior after completing 84 (CSU) to 90 (UC) transferable quarter units. Many four-year schools and majors are 'impacted' (overcrowded) and highly recommend you complete all of your major requirements and the minimum requirements of GE to be competitive for acceptance. See the specific articulation agreement for your choice of major and school for further clarification.


Can I transfer without declaring a major?

Again, that depends on the transfer school. Some campuses particularly in the UC system, do not accept undeclared majors. Others (most CSUs and a very few UCs) admit students without a declared major. Be sure to find out this information well ahead of time.


What are the current minimum UC transfer eligibility requirements?

  • 90 UC transferable quarter units (De Anza courses #1 - 49)
  • 2.4 GPA (2.8 GPA for International Students)
  • Completion of English: EWRT 1A
  • Completion of Critical Thinking: EWRT 2 or PHIL 3 or SPCH 9
  • Completion of a Math course more advanced than MATH 105: Math 10, 11, 44, or 49A AND 49B
Plus four courses from at least two of the following subject areas:
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Physical and Biological Sciences
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences

Note: All courses required for admission must be completed with a grade 'C' or better.


What are the current minimum CSU transfer eligibility requirements?

  • 84 CSU transferable quarter units (De Anza courses #1 - 99)
  • Of those 84 units, 45 units must be in GE
  • 2.0 GPA
  • Completion of English: EWRT 1A or ESL 5 ('C' or better)
  • Completion of Oral Communication: SPCH 1 or 10 ('C' or better)
  • Completion of Critical Thinking: PHIL 3 or PHIL 4 or PHIL 5 or PHIL 7 or SPCH 8 or SPCH 9 or SPCH 15 or EWRT 2 ('C' or better)
  • Completion of one math course more advanced than MATH 105 ('C' or better)

Note: Most UC and CSU campuses and majors require additional preparation courses and sometimes a higher GPA.

 

Learn: 7.5: Transfer Admission Agreement (TAA)

A Transfer Admission Agreement (TAA) offers guaranteed admission to participating UC, CSU, and independent colleges and universities. If you complete a TAA contract and meet all of the requirements listed in the TAA, you are assured admission. Students typically complete a TAA after their freshman year at De Anza.  TAA's are usually written between August and September, depending on the college or university.

The Transfer Center offers some workshops in TAAs. The Transfer Center and Counseling Center can provide you with more information on TAA timelines and eligibility. The Counseling Division Web site also has information online about TAA's.

Participating colleges and universities include:

California State Universities (CSU)

  • San Jose State University
  • San Francisco State University
  • Monterey Bay
University of California (UC)
  • UC Davis
  • UC Riverside
  • UC San Diego
  • UC Santa Cruz
Independent Colleges
  • Notre Dame de Nameu University
  • Santa Clara University
  • University of the Pacific
  • University of San Francisco
  • Kettering University

 

Learn: 7.6: The Transfer Center

The Transfer Center provides resources and services to assist students with planning a smooth and successful transfer. The array of services include:
  • University catalogs:
    A library of catalogs from UCs, CSUs, and private institutions is available for your use. Research universities to learn more about campus environments, programs, majors, and services.
  • Curriculum guides for De Anza degrees and certificates.
  • Articulation sheets for San Jose State and UC Berkeley as well as CSU and IGETC GE sheets.
  • Computers with access to ASSIST:
    A web-based California service that specifies courses by campus for your major.
  • Transfer Admission Agreements (TAA):
    Obtain information about guidelines for guaranteed admissions to certain colleges and universities. Prepare in advance to ensure that you meet the requirements and deadlines.
  • Information workshops:
    Attend workshops on important transfer topics - UC and CSU applications, GE, TAAs, and transfer requirements.
  • University representative visits:
    Meet with four-year college reps that visit campus regularly. Check the bulletin boards in the Transfer Center and the Counseling Center for the schedule.
  • Drop-in advising for answers to quick questions.

Location: M3
Telephone: (408) 864-8841

Also, be sure to check out the Transfer Planning Web pages.