Transfer Student-Friendly Colleges in California

I've just started at a community college but I will want to transfer to a four-year California college after I get my AA. I'd appreciate if someone could suggest the top colleges in California known for being supportive of transfer students?

Absolutely, there are a number of colleges in California that are known to be supportive of transfer students and have made an effort to create pathways for students transferring from community colleges.

1. The University of California (UC) system has a program called Transfer Admissions Guarantee (TAG) for students transferring from California's community colleges. Six UC campuses (Davis, Irvine, Merced, Riverside, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz) offer guaranteed admissions to students from California community colleges who meet certain academic criteria. This is a wonderful program in that it assures admission for students meeting the criteria, taking a great deal of stress out of the transfer process.

2. The California State University (CSU) system also embraces transfer students with open arms. The "Associate Degree for Transfer" (ADT) allows California community college students to earn an Associate’s degree and then guarantees admission to a CSU campus in a similar major.

3. The University of Southern California (USC), while more selective, has a strong network of support for transfer students including a designated Transfer Student Success Center. Furthermore, they have articulation agreements with all California community colleges specifying how certain course credits will transfer.

4. Stanford University, although highly selective, has also made strides in accepting more transfer students and provides plenty of support once they are on campus.

Remember, it's not just about getting in. You need to find a school where you will be supported and can thrive as a transfer student. Reach out to the transfer admissions officers of these universities to get a sense of their transfer community and services.