The time has arrived for applicants to California State Universities (CSU) to begin preparing for their transfer journey. All applications opened on Oct. 1 and will be due Dec. 2. For fall admission to the CSU system, students must have the following completed by the end of the spring semester prior to transfer: a 2.0 GPA in CSU-transferable coursework, 60 CSU-transferable units, and 30 of which are general education units. This includes the Golden 4 requirements: Oral Communication (SPCH 101), Written Communication (ENGL 101, 101+, or 101H), Critical Thinking (various options), and Math/Quantitative reasoning various options.
Bridget Bershad, who is an articulation officer as well as a transfer center coordinator, gave particular insight into the application and transfer process. She explained that the minimum GPA required for transfer to the CSU system is a 2.0; however, for “impacted” CSU campuses and majors, this GPA will be higher and will vary by campus and major. “Impacted” means there are more qualified applicants than there is space for at that CSU campus or major. Regarding prerequisite courses, she noted that “students need to complete a minimum of 30 general education units, including the Golden 4 requirements, which are typically fulfilled by completing the CSU GE Breadth or IGETC requirements.” Some CSU campuses and majors require specific major prep courses to be completed for admission, and students should prioritize these courses and consult campus websites and ASSIST.org, along with their counselors, to determine the required courses. She also mentioned that “any course that is CSU-transferable will transfer to all CSU campuses, but the type of credit earned depends on the course and the specific CSU campus and major, and a counselor can help clarify this.” For the application process and deadlines, students applying for Fall 2025 admission will need to apply between Oct. 1 and Dec. 2, 2024, using Cal State Apply, with the deadline extended this year due to Thanksgiving. The Transfer Center is hosting several workshops to assist students with filling out the application.
Audrey Parsighian, a Glendale Community College (GCC) alumni who has recently started her junior year at California State Northridge (CSUN) majoring in Health Administration, shared insights about her transfer journey. She was primarily motivated by the opportunity to attain a bachelor’s degree and pursue her desired career. Parsighian chose CSUN due to its proximity and the presence of many friends attending the university, along with its unique offering of a B.S. in Health Administration. Her transfer application process was smooth and straightforward, although she faced a minor challenge with the submission of her AP scores, which was resolved with a quick phone call and resubmission. Parsighian found meeting with a counselor at her community college particularly beneficial in ensuring she had all the necessary information, credits, and documents prepared for the application. She advises current community college students to select their intended transfer college early and identify the necessary transfer requirements and courses to complete.
Caitlyn Lugo, a current sophomore at Glendale Community College (GCC), shared her thoughts on her ongoing transfer process. She expressed her desire to transfer to a university to complete her bachelor’s degree in business marketing and to gain valuable connections through networking. Lugo hopes to gain more insight into the business industry and be surrounded by the mindsets of other marketing majors. She has identified CSULB, CSUF, and CSUN as her top choices due to their proximity. “I would say all of these play an important role in my decision making. The campus must be an hour away so I don’t have to dorm and I can still live at home while doing school, and the overall atmosphere and environment of people,” she explained. Lugo is most excited about “seeing the different opportunities there are” as she considers her transfer options.
It’s important to focus on key resources that will guide you in your transfer to CSU. Start by reviewing the general education requirements available on the Glendale Community College website, which will help you understand the necessary coursework. For the application process, consult the official CSU site for detailed instructions https://www.calstate.edu/apply. Additionally, ASSIST offers valuable information on course articulation, ensuring your credits transfer smoothly. The Transfer Center at Glendale provides essential resources and a calendar of events to support your transition. Don’t forget to explore FAFSA for financial aid opportunities, the Dream Act application for undocumented students, and various scholarships available through GCC. Utilizing these resources will empower you as you embark on this exciting journey.
Gissel Nolasco can be reached at [email protected].