What does it take to go to a university? It depends!

Are you transferring to a public or private university? Are you a new student at Southwestern College or a continuing student? Do you have units from other community colleges or universities? Do you know what you want to major in? Are you taking classes to prepare? What is your grade point average?

Your answers to these questions will shape your academic path. The basic requirements to transfer to a public university are:

  1. 1.     Transferable classes totaling 60 semester units. Not all SWC classes transfer. Some classes may transfer to California State University campuses but not the University of California. English 114 is an example.
  2. 2.     General education classes for your target university. San Diego State, for example, requires completion of the CSU General Education Breadth. Transfer to a UC campus requires IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum). These forms are available in the Transfer Center.
  3. 3.     Preparation courses for your major. These can be found at www.assist.org. This website contains agreements between Southwestern College and all of the public universities in California regarding courses to prepare for your major.
  4. 4.     A competitive grade point average. Requirements vary depending on universities and majors.

Requirements to transfer to a private university vary, and may include SAT/ACT scores, an interview and letters of recommendation.

We encourage you to attend a Steps to Transfer workshop and schedule an appointment with Transfer Center counselors to develop your education plan. The Transfer Center website is www.swccd.edu/~transfer.