Transfer Preparation Programs

What's the best way to be academically prepared when you transfer to UC San Diego? While there isn’t one comprehensive answer, there are several programs that can help.

These programs range from guaranteed admission (when certain requirements are met) to completion of your lower-division General Education (GE) requirements at a community college before attending UC San Diego.

• Knowing the requirements and planning your community college program around them can maximize your chances for admission to UC San Diego.
• Completing GE requirements in advance gives you more flexibility in selecting courses once you enroll at UC San Diego.
• Finishing the requirements ahead of time can help you complete your undergraduate education within 4 years.

Consider these factors:

• Whether or not you participate in a transfer preparation program, you must meet UC San Diego's admission requirements.
• Each of UC San Diego's six undergraduate colleges has its own GE requirements. Take these variations into account when choosing your community college courses.
• You are not required to complete all GE courses for admission to UC San Diego, but GE credits can help you earn your degree faster.
• Visit the ASSIST Web site for information on transferable courses.

The programs:

• Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG)
• Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)
• UniversityLink

UniversityLink

• For details on UniversityLink download the brochure (PDF)
• UniversityLink is available to students from feeder high schools, planning to attend participating community colleges, who sign a contract and complete the program requirements.
• UC San Diego provides guaranteed admission to these students, beginning with a fall quarter admission within four years.
• Contracts must be signed and submitted to UC San Diego during the spring term of senior year in high school or during the first fall term after high school graduation at one of these participating community colleges:
  • Cuyamaca
  • East Los Angeles
  • Grossmont
  • Imperial Valley
  • MiraCosta
  • Palomar
  • San Diego City
  • San Diego Mesa
  • San Diego Miramar
  • Southwestern
• UniversityLink provides special programs and events, along with access to UC San Diego admissions counseling.
• Admitted students in this program may also be eligible for an Engelhorn Family Scholarship.

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Questions? Contact your community college advisor or Admissions and Relations with Schools, (858) 534-4831.