How to Transfer

1. Begin the Career Exploration process: take a self assessment at California Career Zone or My Next Move.

2. Enroll in a counseling course such as COUN 51 or COUN 71.

3. Browse the books and resources in the Transfer Center.

4. Check out the resources listed on the Transfer Center website under Choosing a Major & University.

5. Expect this to be a process; it takes time and lots of research to make a smart major choice.

1. Create a list of top choice schools and back up schools.

2. Consider things such as cost, location, perceived prestige, culture of school, distance, career center services including internships, majors offered, etc. 

3. Check out the resources listed on the Transfer Center website listed under Choosing a University

4. Go on campus tours. 

5. Visit with representatives from different colleges and universities. Many schools make regular visits to the MPC. Check out the Calendar.

6. Attend Transfer Day, MPC’s large college fair held every Fall semester.

1. Schedule an appointment to meet with a counselor every semester to create and follow up on your Education Plan that will outline the classes you need to take to transfer to the university and major of your choice. 

2. Complete the required English and math courses as early as possible.

3. Following the IGETC pattern for UCs or CSU GE Breadth pattern for CSUs will work for many students. However, it is not recommended for students who plan on majoring in STEM fields such as Engineering, Biological and Physical Sciences or other majors that require extensive lower division major preparation.

4. Use assist.org to learn which courses are required or recommended to complete for a particular major at a UC or CSU.

5. To learn about courses you should take for private or out of state schools, look up the admission information for each school on their websites and consult with your MPC Counselor for further guidance.

Some questions to consider:

1. What is the minimum GPA to apply?

2. What is the minimum number of transferable units you need to have completed? Maximum?

3. What are the general education requirements?

4. What are the pre-major requirements for your chosen major?

5. When is the application deadline?

For UC and CSU schools:

1. Most students apply in the Fall semester after they have completed 30 transferable units, which is approximately one year before they plan to transfer

2. There is one online application students use to apply to the CSUs and one online application to apply to the UCs:

   • Click here to Apply to any of the 23 CSU campuses

   • click here to Apply to any of the 10 UC campuses

   • The Fall application deadline is generally November 30th for all camouses in both the CSU and UC systems

3. The UC application requires short answer responses to Personal Insight Questions; the CSU application does not include any personal statements.

4. Some CSU campuses and/or majors may require a supplemental application – be sure to research this early on in the application process

1. Apply for admission on time

2. Apply for Financial Aid (priority deadline is March 2)

   • FAFSA

   • California Dream Act

3. When applying for admission, be sure to include information from every college or university you attended previously.

4. After applying, there will be other documents and/or materials that need to be submitted with specific deadlines. Check your email regularly as that is how most schools inform you of what needs to be submitted and when. Commonly requested documents after you apply include:

   • Letter of intent to enroll/register

   • Official transcripts

   • IGETC or CSU-GE Breadth certification

   • Official test scores such as AP, SAT, ACT (when applicable)

1. Research all the resources available to you at your new school including those for transfer or re-entry students

2. Connect with your academic department and academic advisors

3. Secure housing (if applicable)

4. Understand your transportation needs and plan for them

5. Check for a bank branch near your new school or consider switching banks

6. Sign up to attend the transfer student orientation at your new school

1. Request CSU General Education or IGETC Certification
2. Schedule an appointment with your counselor to petition to graduate for your associate's degree and/or certificate
3. Submit final official transcripts to include your final official grades from your last term at MPC.