The Community College Transfer Track: A Positive Pathway to Earning a Bachelor’s Degree

1. Presented by: TANYA ILARDE Counselor/Transfer Center Director Merritt College The Community College Transfer Track: A Positive Pathway to Earning aBachelor’s Degree

2. Goals for this Presentation: • Introduce you to the community college transfer pathway • Help you understand how you can effectively prepare for the community college transfer pathway and successfully transfer to a four-year college/university in a timely manner • Answer your questions regarding the community college transfer pathway

3. Definition of a Transfer Student • A transfer student is a student who has completed coursework at one college and applies/transfers to another college. • The definition of a transfer student varies according to each college, with an emphasis on units and transferring institution. • For the purpose of this session, we will focus on a “California community college transfer student.” • The University of California defines a California community college transfer student as a student who has completed at least 30 UC-transferable units and the last 2 semesters of study at a California community college.

4. Transfer Quiz • ____% of University of California graduates start at a California community college. • ____%of California State University graduates start at a California community college. • True or False: You MUST obtain an Associate’s degree to transfer to a four-year institution. • True or False: Students who attend a CSU have a better chance of transferring to a UC campus than a CA community college student. • True or False: Students are penalized by four-year institutions for attending multiple CA community colleges.

5. Transfer Quiz • True or False: When a CA community college student transfers with 60+ units to a UC or CSU, high school gpa and SAT scores are NOT considered. • True or False: Students who transfer from a CA community college to the UC system do just as well academically and often better than students admitted as freshmen. • True or False: Private and out-of-state institutions do NOT have transfer agreements with CA community colleges. • True or False: A CA community college student may transfer to a four-year institution after one academic year.

6. Transfer Quiz Answers • 33 %of University of California graduates start at a California community college. • 66 %of California State University graduates start at a California community college. • False: You MUST obtain an Associate’s degree to transfer to a four-year institution. Exceptions: Private/out-of-state may prefer the AA degree; NCAA athletes may need the AA degree. • False: Students who attend a CSU have a better chance of transferring to a UC campus than a CA community college student.

7. Transfer Quiz Answers • True: When a CA community college student transfers with 60+ units to a UC or CSU, high school gpa and SAT scores are NOT considered. • True: Students who transfer from a CA community college to the UC system do just as well academically and often better than students admitted as freshmen. • False: Private and out-of-state institutions do NOT have transfer agreements with CA community colleges. Note: Not all have transfer agreements. • False (UC/CSU) & True for privates: A CA community college student may transfer to a four-year institution after one academic year. • False: Students are penalized by four-year institutions for attending multiple CA community colleges.

8. The California Master Plan for Higher Education (1960) • Requires the UC and CSU systems to give PRIORITY ADMISSION to two groups: California residents coming from high schools and CA community college transfer students. • Private institutions are not bound by the Master Plan and have their own requirements. Stanford University has a 1-2% transfer rate, inclusive of ALL transfer students. However, most CA private institutions are committed to admitting transfer students.

9. Transfer Institution Options • Public • University of California (UC) – 9 undergraduate campuses • California State University (CSU) – 23 undergraduate campuses – Due to state budget and impaction status, some CSU campuses are only admitting “local admission area” students. Contact the specific campus for impaction status. • Private / Independent • “traditional”/ non-profit – ex: Stanford, Mills, USF, USC • for-profit – ex: University of Phoenix, Kaplan, DeVry • Out-of-State (Public and Private) • Includes Historically Black Colleges and Universities

10. Transfer Opportunities • Transfer Center - All CA community colleges have a Transfer Center. • Transfer Admissions Guarantees (TAG) with 7 of the 9 UC campuses, partner CSUs, and selected independent and out-of-state colleges and universities • Concurrent Enrollment Program with four-year colleges and universities • Four-year college and university events and activities – Transfer Day, visits from admissions representatives, campus tours, conferences • Transfer programs - such as Puente, Daraja, MAP @ Merritt College, etc.

11. Transfer Admission Basics • UNITS • Most UC and CSU campuses only admit upper-division transfer students, with at least 60 transferable units. • Private institutions admit according to their unit requirements (e.g., 12, 24, etc.). • GRADE POINT AVERAGE • Eligibility vs. Selectivity • UC – minimum eligibility 2.4 (admitted GPAs for selective campuses and majors are much higher!) • GENERAL EDUCATION • LOWER DIVISION MAJOR PREPARATION Other factors that may be considered – academic rigor; special talents, achievements, awards, skills, interests, experiences that demonstrate unusual promise for leadership, other significant experiences or achievements that demonstrate promise for contributing to the intellectual vitality of a campus; academic accomplishments in light of life experiences and special circumstances; location of college and residence (CSU)

12. Sample Educational Plan - Psychology Fall 2011 Note: A full-time student is enrolled in 12 units.English 1A –4 Math 13 – 4 Psych 1A – 3 Couns 24 - 3 14 units Spring 2012Summer 2012 Fall 2012 English 5 –3 Comm 20 –3 Geog 1 - 3 Biol 10 – 4 Posci 1 -3 Hist 7A – 3 Music 10 - 3 Human 2 - 3 Psych 1B - 36 units *MCB 61 @ UCB – 3 13 unitsPE - 1 13 units Apply to UC/CSU for Fall 2013 Spring 2013Summer 2013Fall 2013 CIS 1 – 4courses not acceptedSTART AT UCB, CSUEB Span 1A – 5 PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR PE 9 – 1 Anthro 1/1L – 4 *via the Concurrent Enrollment Program 14 units

13. Sample Educational Plan - Biology Fall 2011 Note: A full-time student is enrolled in 12 units.English 1A –4 This student will complete 78 units. Math 1 (PreCalculus) – 4 Chem 30A – 4 Hist 7A - 3 Music 10 - 3 18 units Spring 2012Summer 2012 Fall 2012 English 5 –3 Math 3A - 5 Math 3B - 5 Math 50 (Trig) - 3 Chem 1B - 5Chem 12A - 5 Chem 1A - 5 Biol 1A - 5 Psych 1A - 3 10 unitsPhysics 4A - 5 Human 2 – 3 20 units 16 units13 units Apply to UC/CSU for Fall 2013 Spring 2013Summer 2013Fall 2013 Phil 1 – 3 coursework not acceptable Soc 1 - 3 START AT UC Biol 1B - 5 Chem 12B - 5 Physics 4B - 5 21 units

14. Benefits of the Community College Transfer Pathway • Cost effectiveness - $26 per unit x 60 units = $1560 • If not admitted to four-year of choice, the student has another opportunity to apply. • The student has more time to decide on which school to apply to. (unless impacted CSU) • The student may have less pressure with transitional and college readiness issues. • Community college instructors are generally known to be more student-centered.

15. How is the economy affecting the transfer pathway? • Cost – may increase from $26 per unit to $36 per unit • UC and CSUs are increasing admission of out-of-state/non-resident applicants; more CA students attending out-of-state schools? • UC and CSUs are admitting less students; community colleges will need to reduce student enrollment • UC, CSU, and community colleges are offering less classes • Students may need to attend multiple community colleges. • More students will need to attend community colleges • Admission trickle down effect from UC and CSU • Parents of 4-year university students can no longer afford tuition – incoming freshmen and current students • Less classes at UC and CSU – students will attempt to enroll in equivalent classes at community colleges concurrently • More aggressive recruitment by for-profit private institutions • CSU campuses will become more regional • Students will need to be more focused and proactive.

16. Cost of Community College

17. Tips for Transfer Success • Community college IS college! • Apply to your community college early (before summer)! Go to www.cccapply.org to apply to any CCC. • Sign up for orientation and Math/English assessment early! (before or early summer) Orientation will vary at all colleges. • Take the Math/English assessment seriously! Your placement will determine your placement and how long it will take you transfer. (Ex: 2 semesters of English classes vs. 6 semesters) AP exam scores may also be used. • Enroll in a college success course. • Meet with a Counselor to develop a complete student educational plan. • Utilize campus resources and connect: tutoring, transfer services, student organizations, scholarships, etc. • Attend four-year institution events such as CAL DAY, etc.

18. Important CA Community College & Transfer Links • www.cccco.edu – California Community College Chancellor’s Office • www.cccapply.org – CA Community College application system • www.peralta.edu – Peralta CC District • www.universityofcalifornia.edu – UC info • www.csumentor.edu – CSU info • www.aiccu.org – California private/indigents • www.hbcumentor.org – HBCU info • www.assist.org – UC/CSU/CCC articulation site

19. Tel: 510.436.2559 Email: tilarde@peralta.edu TANYA ILARDECounselor/Transfer Center Director