University of California Transfer Information Session
A member of the admissions team at the University of California Irvine presented a transfer information session for our applicants. Here are the key takeaways!
Explore What’s Available
Find what you need before you execute. That means exploring majors and deciding where to apply. Take advantage of the “alternate major” option, too. The UCs ask that you choose a primary and an alternate major. Sometimes they are not able to admit you for your primary major due to space limitations, so choosing an alternate major will allow the schools to give your application another look.
Use the Resources to Execute
Use assist.org to help you execute. It is the official database to help you find transferable courses to a UC, so it can help build a path for any campus. Note the difference between required transfer courses and additional recommended courses. The required transfer courses are what will be considered when the UCs evaluate your application. The additional recommended courses are just that: additional.
Assist.org is only meant for those who are attending a California community college. Other ways to get this information for out-of-state students is to review the course catalog at the UC you want to attend, going to a UC information session, or visiting the UC school’s website directly. Please know that many UCs do not offer pre-evaluation of transcripts because they receive hundreds of thousands of applications a year!
Another resource is the TAP, Transfer Admissions Planner. It helps track your progress by listing out your coursework. It also migrates that information to the UC application. It’s just a tool, though; just because you are listing classes here doesn’t mean you will get credit for them.
How to Apply
The UC application opens on August 1 and October 1 to November 30 is the filing period, meaning applications can only be submitted during that time. You should hear back from the UC schools in April, and you have until June 1 to decide whether you will attend if you were admitted.
You need to complete 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of transferable college credit to start as a junior
Use assist.org if you are at a California community college to find UC transferable courses
Non-transferable courses will not count towards minimum unit requirements
Complete the following 7 course pattern:
2 transferable courses in English
1 transferable mathematical concept and quantitative reasoning course
4 transferable courses from at least the following two areas:
The arts and humanities
The social sciences and behavioral sciences
The physical and biological sciences
In addition to these, certain UC campuses might have major requirements or GPA major requirements. For example, at UC Irvine, you need to have a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 and B grades or better in order to be admitted to the computer science major.
Personal Insight Questions
These are the UC essay questions. Note that they’re not called essays, though, and that’s because each PIQ is meant to answer a question specifically. There’s no need to build a narrative the way you would do for the Common App essay, for example.
Tips for Personal Insight Questions
Each responses is 350 words maximum
You must answer 4 questions. 1 is required for all transfer applicants and you can choose the other 3
Select questions that best fit your roadmap
Choose prompts that fit your background
Share what you feel comfortable sharing
Break down special circumstances. Only you know what you’ve been through, and they want to hear that.
Tell them who you are. The UC application will have basic data, so use the essays as a way of sharing your experiences with the UCs.
Use the Additional Comments section if you feel you have more to say that is relevant to the admissions committee.
Military-Specific Information
The UC system does not grant credit for work experiences, military credit/recruit basic training, vocational or technical training. No credit is offered for examination results in CLEP or DANTES.
Reach Out for Help
Follow University of California Irvine Transfer Admissions (@ucitransferadmissions) on Instagram to take part in their IG live sessions.
They also offer one-on-one virtual appointments that you can sign up for to talk to someone directly.
Need personalized help evaluating your options or have questions about transferring to the University of California system? Sign up for free admissions support with Service to School & get started on your journey!
