UC Application Portal
Apply to all UC campuses through one application.
How to Use ASSIST.org
Open ASSIST.orgASSIST is the official website that tells you which community college classes fulfill major requirements at each UC or CSU campus. Use it every time you build or change your education plan.
- Go to ASSIST.org and choose “By Major”.
- Select your community college.
- Select your target university (UC or CSU) and then your major.
- Open the Articulation Agreement by major for the most recent academic year.
- On the left side, find the university requirements; on the right, find the matching CC classes.
- Write down or highlight the exact CC courses you still need and plug them into your term-by-term plan.
- Save or download the PDF and bring it to a counselor appointment so you can double-check your plan.
Tips: Use ASSIST to compare how requirements change between campuses for the same major, and always re-check when a new catalog year starts because agreements can change.
UC Application & Transfer Resources
UC Transfer Requirements
Official UC rules on units, GPA, and basic eligibility for transfer.
UC Transfer Pathways
Recommended major preparation for common majors across all UC campuses.
UC PIQ (Personal Insight Questions)
Guidance and examples for the Personal Insight Questions section of the UC application.
UC GPA & Unit Basics
Check UC-transferable unit minimums (usually 60 semester/90 quarter) and GPA expectations.
UC Admissions Homepage
Central hub for UC requirements, campuses, majors, and financial aid.
CSU Application & Transfer Resources
Cal State Apply
Single application portal for all CSU campuses.
CSU Transfer Requirements
Admission requirements for upper-division and lower-division CSU transfers.
Impacted Majors & Campuses
See which CSU programs and campuses are impacted and may have higher GPA or extra criteria.
Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT)
Learn how an ADT can guarantee admission to a CSU in a similar major.
CSU Campuses
Explore all CSU locations and find campus-specific transfer information.
Planning Tools: UC TAP, TAG, and General Education
UC TAP (Transfer Admission Planner)
Track classes, units, GPA, and major prep — and submit a Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) to participating UC campuses.
- Required if you want to file a UC TAG.
- Lets UCs send you reminders and guidance.
- Can often import into your UC application.
UC TAG (Transfer Admission Guarantee)
TAG lets you secure guaranteed admission to one UC campus (if you meet all requirements).
- Participating campuses: UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, UC Santa Cruz.
- Requirements usually include a minimum GPA (often around 3.4) and specific major preparation.
- Must file a TAG via UC TAP by the UC TAG deadline.
General Education (IGETC & CSU GE)
Most students follow one of these patterns to cover lower-division GE before transferring.
- IGETC — works for most UC and CSU majors; some STEM/engineering majors may prefer campus-specific GE instead.
- CSU GE Breadth — GE pattern specific to CSU transfer.
IGETC Information
CSU GE Breadth
Example GE pattern (your college will have its own PDF): SDCCD IGETC Sheet
Common Transfer Questions
What is TAG? Which UCs offer it?
TAG (Transfer Admission Guarantee) is a program where you can lock in admission to one UC campus if you meet the GPA and course requirements for your major.
If you maintain at least around a 3.4 GPA (exact GPA varies by campus/major) and complete the required major prep and units, you can get guaranteed admission to one of these campuses: UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, UC Santa Cruz.
You apply for TAG through UC TAP and still must submit the regular UC application.
Do I need IGETC?
No, IGETC is not required to transfer. It is one way to complete lower-division GE before transfer, but not the only way.
Some majors (especially in STEM, engineering, and high-unit majors) may recommend following a campus- or major-specific GE pattern instead of full IGETC.
Always check ASSIST.org and talk to a counselor before deciding.
How many units do I need to transfer?
For most UC and CSU upper-division transfer paths, you need at least 60 UC-transferable semester units (or 90 quarter units) completed by the end of the spring term before you transfer.
Some campuses or programs may recommend more units or specific course patterns — always confirm on ASSIST and the university website.
Do UCs accept AP credit?
Yes. Many UC campuses will grant credit for AP scores of 3 or higher, and some scores may clear GE areas or major preparation.
Each UC campus has its own AP credit chart, so always check the AP/IB/A-level credit page for the specific campus you want to attend.
What if my community college doesn’t offer a required course?
First, double-check ASSIST for alternative courses or notes. Sometimes another course at your college can substitute.
If there is no equivalent course at your CC, you may need to:
- Take the class at another community college (in-person or online), or
- Plan to complete it after transfer if the campus allows that.
Talk with a counselor and use ASSIST plus university websites to confirm what is acceptable for your target major and campus.
Quick Official Links
Financial Aid
UC Campuses — Transfer Pages
Always verify dates, GPA cutoffs, and requirements on the official university or state websites. This site is for guidance only.
Last updated: January 28, 2026