Transfer Application Assistance

Apply to CSUs via the Cal State Apply application.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Transfer: October 1 – November 30
• Spring Transfer: July 1 – August 30

How To Apply

1. Meet with a counselor to determine if you are applying with or without an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT, AA-T, AS-T)
2. Create a Cal State Apply account
3. Choose your campuses and majors (one major per campus)
4. You will enter all your coursework (Academic History)
   • Report all college classes exactly as they appear on your transcripts
   • Don't forget in-progress and planned classes o Include classes from other colleges (such as SAC)
   • Add AP exam credits and dual enrollment courses, if applicable
5. Submit your application and pay the fee
   • Fees are charged per campus
   • Eligible students may receive fee waivers for up to 4 CSU campuses

After You Apply

• Check your email regularly, including spam/junk folders.
• Log in to each campus applicant portal and review your "To Do" list.
• Complete any supplemental requirements.
  • Some campuses require an additional application (e.g., CSULB Supplemental Application).
  • Some majors may require auditions, portfolios, or program-specific materials.
• Submit the Transfer Academic Update (Fall applicants only).
  • Report fall grades and any schedule changes in January through Cal State Apply.
• Submit transcripts by campus deadlines.
• Monitor your admission status.
  • Fall Transfer:
    • Admission decisions: February–March
    • Accept offer and submit deposit by May 1
  • Spring Transfer
    • Admission decisions: October–November
    • Accept offer and submit deposit by the campus deadline
• After accepting your offer, you will need to check your CSU student email for next steps like signing up for orientation/registration, housing applications, and final official transcript deadlines.

Application Guides & Information

• Transfer | CSU
• Cal State Apply Applicant Help Center
• Application Fee Waiver | CSU
• Attend a CSU Application Workshop (SCC Transfer Center)

Apply to UC campuses through the UC Application.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Transfer: October 1 – November 30
  • Fall TAG Applicaton: September 1 - September 30
• Winter/Spring Transfer: July 1 – July 31 *
  • Winter/Spring TAG Application: May 1 – May 31
  • *Only select UC campuses accept Winter/Spring transfers.

How To Apply

1. Create a UC Application account
2. Choose your campuses and major(s)
3. Enter your Academic History
   
   • Report all college coursework exactly as it appears on your transcripts.
   • Don’t forget in-progress and planned courses
   • Include courses taken at other colleges (such as SAC).
   • Add AP exam credit and dual enrollment coursework, if applicable.
4. Complete the Personal Insight Questions
   • Transfer applicants submit four short-answer responses (350 words maximum each).
5. Submit your application and pay the fee
   • Application fees are charged per campus.
   • Eligible students may receive fee waivers for up to four UC campuses.

After You Apply

• Check your email regularly, including your spam/junk folder.
• Log in to campus applicant portals and complete any requested items (if applicable)
• Submit the Transfer Academic Update (TAU).
  • Fall applicants: January
  • Winter/Spring applicants: September
• Monitor your admission status.
  • Fall Transfer
    • Admission decisions: March–April
    • Accept your offer and submit your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) by June 1
  • Winter/Spring Transfer
    • Admission decisions: October–November
    • Accept your offer and submit your SIR by the campus deadline
• After accepting your offer, you will need to check your CSU student email for next steps like signing up for orientation/registration, housing applications, and final official transcript deadlines.

Application Guides and Information

• Applying as a transfer | UC Admissions
• Filling out the application | UC Admissions
• Personal insight questions | UC Admissions
• Attend a UC Application Workshop (SCC Transfer Center)

The Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program allows eligible California community college students to secure guaranteed admission to select UC campuses if they meet specific GPA and course requirements. TAG gives a guaranteed admission pathway, but it does not force a student to attend their TAG school.

Participating campuses include (some majors are excluded):

• University of California, Davis
• University of California, Irvine
• University of California, Merced
• University of California, Riverside
• University of California, Santa Barbara
• University of California, Santa Cruz

TAG Timeline

UC TAG requires students to complete both the TAG application (within the UC Transfer Admission Planner portal) and the regular UC Application. BOTH must be completed for a student to be considered for TAG admissions.

• Fall Transfer
  • Submit the TAG application: September 1 – September 30
  • Submit the UC transfer application: October 1 – November 30
• Spring/Winter Transfer:
  • Submit the TAG application: May 1 – May 31
  • Submit the UC transfer application: July 1 – July 30

TAG Requirements

• The TAG program has overall eligibility AND campus/major specific eligibility. Review the UC TAG Matrix, which is updated each academic year, on the UC TAG Website
• See a counselor or attend a UC TAG Workshop (SCC Transfer Center)

Many private and out-of-state universities use the Common Application for transfer admission.

Application Period

• Deadlines vary widely by university, but many transfer deadlines fall between February and April. Use campus-specific transfer admissions websites to view deadlines.
  

Steps to Apply

• Review campus-specific transfer admissions websites to get specific
  information deadlines and what documents will be required
• Create a Common App for Transfer Account
• Select Colleges/Programs
• Complete the Transfer Application
  • Includes providing information on your academic history, activities, and short essays required by each school.
• Submit Supporting Materials
  • Many schools require transcripts, recommendations, or additional essays.
  • Some schools may require specific common app documents to be submitted like the College Report or the Mid-Term report. Only submit these documents if the university requires them.
• Submit the Application and Pay Fees
  • Application fees (and fee waivers) vary by institution

Application Guides & Information

• Common application guide for transfer students
• The Common App for Transfer Help Center
• Attend a Common App workshop (SCC Transfer Center)

Some of your transfer applications may require you to write personal statements or essays. These responses are a chance to go beyond grades and tell your story.

• Focus on experiences that shaped your academic goals, challenges you’ve overcome, and why transferring is the next step in your journey.
• Be specific: use concrete examples rather than general statements, and connect your experiences to your intended major and future.
• Take a step back from your application – what has already been said or represented? What else do you want them to know about you?
• Before submitting, revise carefully and get feedback! The Transfer Center helps with UC Personal Insight Question/Personal Statement review. Stop by the center or give us a call to make an appointment.

Guides & Information

• Personal insight questions | UC Admissions
• Attend a UC Personal Insight Question Workshop (SCC Transfer Center)