University of California (UC) Application Guide

Let Us Help You Transfer to a UC

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Welcome to the SAC University Transfer Center's University of California (UC) Application Guide. Are you ready to apply for transfer to your ​top UC's? If you are unsure if you meet all transfer requirements, please​​ contact us online​​ to schedule a UC transfer check appointment. We are here for you every step of the way! There are nine UC campuses that offer both undergraduate and graduate education. One third of UC students are transfers, and California community college transfers are prioritized over other transfers. By attending Santa Ana College you can stay close to home, save money, and can make progress towards a UC degree. We offer programs such as U-Link that help students meet the requirements, and ​University Transfer Center workshops on how to take part in the UC Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program. If you have any questions, please be sure to visit the University Transfer Center in S-110 or call 714-564-6165 for any questions.

​Click here to apply to UC campuses​

SAC Specific Graduation Petition Information

Steps to Apply

  1. Gather your materials. Here's what you'll need (source): 

    • ​​Transcripts from all schools attended for reference. You'll need to refer to these as you fill out your application to ensure that your information is accurate. 

    • Test scores. Did you take AP, IB, TOEFL, or IELTS exams? Be sure to have these scores ready for reference. 

    • Annual Income for the last year and current year (your parents' if you're a dependent; your income if you're independent). This is optional unless you're applying for an application fee waiver or for the Educational Opportunity Program).

    • Social Security number, if you have one. This is used to match your application to things like your test score report, final transcript(s) and, if you're applying for financial aid, your Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

    • ​Citizenship status. You must enter your country of citizenship (or "No Selection"). If your country of citizenship is outside the United States, you'll need to provide your immigration status and your visa type.

    • Credit card. If you prefer to pay by check, you can mail your payment.​ 

      • The non-refundable application fee is $70 for each UC campus ($80 for international and non-immigrant applicants). The UC will waive application fees for four campuses for qualifying US citizens, permanent residents, and applicants eligible for AB540 benefits. 

  2. Click here to begin the application. 

    • ​Follow the UC Transfer Application Guide for step-by-step applications on completing the online application. Prior to submission, feel free to contact the University Transfer Center to review your application. 

    • Part of the application requires Personal Insigh​t Questions. Be sure to express who you are and what matters to you most. Again, we are here to help you review your responses prior to submission. 

  3. Check your email and portals often. 

    • ​Once you submit your application, you will see a confirmation page with important reminders and your UC Application ID Number, which can be used to access your student portals and admissions decisions. Check your email often for additional instructions from each campus. 

UC Transfer Requirements

  • Complete the 7-course IGETC pattern by the end of the spring term prior to fall enrollment at UC 

  • 2024-2025 SAC IGETC  - click here to view SAC coursework that will meet these requirements. We recommend to meet with a counselor to develop and update an educational plan. 

  • ​Complete at least 60-semester units of UC-transferable credit. 

  • Earn at least a 2.4 GPA in UC-transferable courses (2.8 if you are a non-resident). Keep in mind that some majors require a higher GPA for admission selection. 

  • Complete the required/recommended courses needed for your intended​ major with the minimum grades. Visit ASSIST​ to view major preparation coursework expected by each campus. ​

There is a single application for all UC campuses. Click here for ​the UC ​application​ and select the term you would like to apply for. Generally, applications for Spring transfer open in July, and applications for Fall transfer open in August. See below for application timelines and resources to assist you with your application. In addition, sign up for our email database to receive updates regarding application workshops hosted by the University Transfer Center. 

UC Application Timelines

August 1
  • ​ Application opens (edit only, not submission) 
  • Schedule an appointment with a transfer counselor for a transfer check. 
​September 1st - 30th
  • Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) application is open for submission. Attend a TAG workshop or visit the University Transfer Center for support. 
​October 1st
  • ​FAFSA or California Dream Act applications open. Recommended to file October 1-March 2 to obtain federal and state aid for the following academic year. 

  • Attend a UC info session, live application workshop, and/or personal insight​ questions (PIQ) workshop through the University Transfer Center. 
​November 1-30​​th
  • ​UC application is open for submission. Visit the University Transfer Center for workshops and application review
​December 
  • After submitting your fall admissions applications, activate your portal for each school that you applied to. Check portals and email often to track campus deadlines, such as when to submit transcripts, test scores, Statement of Intent to Register (SIR), and more. ​Visit the University Transfer Center for assistance. 
January 
  • ​Online application for Transfer Academic Updates (TAU) opens for transfer applicants to report final fall grades and in-progress/planned coursework. All students must complete the TAU, even if there were no classes taken in Fall/Spring. The priority ​deadline to complete the TAU is January 31st. 
  • A random sample of students are selected to verify information in their application and notified via email (if you did not receive an email regarding verification, disregard this). Select applicants are asked to verify one item from academic history​, honors and awards, e​xtracurricular activities, vo​lunteer work and community service, special program participation, employment, or information contained in the personal insight responses. The deadline to respond is January 31st. 
​March 
  • ​Notification of fall admissions decisions begin. 
  • Deadline for FAFSA or Dream Act applications on March 2nd. 
​June
  • ​Deadline for admitted transfer students to submit Statement of Intent to Register (SIR).​
​July 
  • ​Final, official transcripts and test scores must be sent to UC campus admissions office. 

 

July 1-31
  • ​Winter/spring filing period for certain campuses. 
  • Consult with the UC website or University Transfer Center for updates on campuses and majors that are open for Winter admission. 

 

Accepti​ng a UC admission offer:

Students can accept an admission offer by agreeing to the provisions/conditions outlined in the offer and submitting their Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) with the SIR deposit to reserve their space at a campus. The SIR deposit is $250. Some important things to keep in mind about accepting a UC admission offer:

  • Student can accept only one admission offer from one UC campus.

  • The SIR deposit is applied to the student's first enrollment term tuition.

  • Students that qualified for the UC application fee waiver will have the SIR deposit deferred until financial aid is disbused.

  • Send your official transcript to the institution you choose to enroll in.

  • The SIR depostit is nonrefundable and non-transferable.​

  • A Statement of Legal Residence (SLR) for tuition determination purposes may be required.