Community college is the second road into the UC system.
- Path design: target campus and major requirements, prerequisites, IGETC.
- TAG: lock in admission through Transfer Admission Guarantee where eligible.
- Ongoing management: course selection and GPA each term, transfer essays and activities.
How to start
Start with a placement assessment. We use it to set the level and class, then confirm the year plan with the family. For schedules, tuition, and bundle offers, request the 2026-27 program guide through the form below.
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Contact a counselorFrequently Asked Questions
What GPA does a transfer from Irvine Valley College need?
Irvine Valley College (IVC) follows the same transfer rules as every other California community college. There is no single cutoff; requirements are published by campus and major. Popular majors such as computer science, engineering, and business admit well above the stated minimum. Set the target campus and major in the first term and plan each semester against the course and GPA requirements listed on ASSIST.
What is TAG, and which campuses offer it?
TAG is the Transfer Admission Guarantee, which lets eligible students lock in admission in advance. Six campuses participate: Davis, Irvine, Merced, Riverside, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz. Berkeley, Los Angeles, and San Diego do not. The application is normally filed in the fall, so coursework has to be arranged a year ahead.
What is IGETC, and is it required?
IGETC is the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum; completing it satisfies lower-division general education for UC and CSU. Not every major requires it, and STEM majors often prioritize major preparation courses instead. Path design decides that trade-off based on the target major.
How long does the transfer take?
Two years in most cases. UC expects transfer students to complete 60 transferable semester units before entry, along with the required writing and math courses and the major preparation sequence. Missing units or prerequisites is the main cause of delay, so each term's registration is checked against the major's list.
Does a transfer application need essays?
Yes. The UC transfer application uses Personal Insight Questions, with the question on preparation for the intended major required and the rest chosen from prompts. These are written differently from high school essays: the focus is the academic path and readiness for the major, not a personal growth narrative.
When should Irvine students begin planning?
In the first term of community college. Transfer review rests on completed coursework and GPA, both largely set during the first year and hard to repair later. Consultant meetings cover path design, TAG, term-by-term registration and GPA tracking, and the transfer essays and activity record, in person in Irvine or online.
