Transfer Facts vs. Fiction
The Saddleback College Transfer Center staff and college administration
p to 40% of all university students in California begin their academic careers in one of our state’s 113 community colleges. Despite the overwhelming success of California’s Community College system, which serves as a model for the world, many people are still confused about the reality of transferring. These are just a few of the questions we frequently address:
Do universities really want transfer students?
While there are a small handful of universities that restrict transfer admissions, the majority welcome transfer students. The CSU and UC systems give the highest priority in their admissions to California Community College students, and there are a number of guaranteed and priority admission agreements available for transfer students. Students who were denied admission to a particular school as a freshman applicant are often admitted as transfers.
Transfer students don’t do as well at the universities, do they?
The latest data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center shows that transfer students graduate at a higher rate nationwide – 71% vs. 65% - than students who start as freshmen at four-year schools.* And elite and highly competitive schools such as UCLA have also confirmed that transfer students complete their upper-division university coursework in the same amount of time.
* ”Baccalaureate Attainment: a National View of the Postsecondary Outcomes of Students Who Transfer from Two-Year to Four-Year Institutions,” published 8/2013
Aren’t community college classes easier than the courses students would take in their first two years at a university?
Not at all. Our course articulation agreements ensure the transferability of classes and specify that transfer classes taught at the community college include the same content with comparable rigor as equivalent courses at the universities.
Transfer students get a different diploma, right?
Nope. There’s no asterisk, and the title on the UC, CSU, or private university diploma is exactly the same for all graduates, regardless of where they started their academic career.
What are the drawbacks of starting your academic career at a community college?
A California Community College can be an excellent setting, but it’s not the right fit for everyone. While the community colleges offer hundreds of majors and degree or certificate programs, some students may want immediate access to a specialty program that’s only available at a certain school. Others may want to attend a school where many students live on campus, or where they have Division 1 sports. There can be a variety of resources available at any given school which may not be available at another. Skilled counselors and advisors can help guide students to a college or university that is the right fit for them, even if it’s a campus other than their own.
What are the benefits of attending community college?
Again, the answer is different for everyone. For starters, students can get the same course content as they could get in the first two years at a university, but at a far lower cost. And it’s often easier to get courses than at the most impacted universities. Students who are still deciding on a major or prefer a campus which offers personalized support may also find a home at a community college. And just as the CSU and UC systems have their areas of specialty, community colleges also offer a wide variety of programs not found at other schools. With 112 community colleges in California, most students can find a campus that is readily accessible.
Do universities really want transfer students?
While there are a small handful of universities that restrict transfer admissions, the majority welcome transfer students. The CSU and UC systems give the highest priority in their admissions to California Community College students, and there are a number of guaranteed and priority admission agreements available for transfer students. Students who were denied admission to a particular school as a freshman applicant are often admitted as transfers.
Transfer students don’t do as well at the universities, do they?
The latest data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center shows that transfer students graduate at a higher rate nationwide – 71% vs. 65% - than students who start as freshmen at four-year schools.* And elite and highly competitive schools such as UCLA have also confirmed that transfer students complete their upper-division university coursework in the same amount of time.
* ”Baccalaureate Attainment: a National View of the Postsecondary Outcomes of Students Who Transfer from Two-Year to Four-Year Institutions,” published 8/2013
Aren’t community college classes easier than the courses students would take in their first two years at a university?
Not at all. Our course articulation agreements ensure the transferability of classes and specify that transfer classes taught at the community college include the same content with comparable rigor as equivalent courses at the universities.
Transfer students get a different diploma, right?
Nope. There’s no asterisk, and the title on the UC, CSU, or private university diploma is exactly the same for all graduates, regardless of where they started their academic career.
What are the drawbacks of starting your academic career at a community college?
A California Community College can be an excellent setting, but it’s not the right fit for everyone. While the community colleges offer hundreds of majors and degree or certificate programs, some students may want immediate access to a specialty program that’s only available at a certain school. Others may want to attend a school where many students live on campus, or where they have Division 1 sports. There can be a variety of resources available at any given school which may not be available at another. Skilled counselors and advisors can help guide students to a college or university that is the right fit for them, even if it’s a campus other than their own.
What are the benefits of attending community college?
Again, the answer is different for everyone. For starters, students can get the same course content as they could get in the first two years at a university, but at a far lower cost. And it’s often easier to get courses than at the most impacted universities. Students who are still deciding on a major or prefer a campus which offers personalized support may also find a home at a community college. And just as the CSU and UC systems have their areas of specialty, community colleges also offer a wide variety of programs not found at other schools. With 112 community colleges in California, most students can find a campus that is readily accessible.