The Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) Program in California is an agreement between the University of California system and California Community Colleges that guarantees admission to qualified undergraduate students. This program is offered for 6 of the 10 UC schools: Davis, Irvine, Merced, Riverside, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz. It’s not available for students looking to transfer to San Diego, Los Angeles, Berkeley or San Francisco.
What is the UC System
The University of California (UC) system is a collection of public institutions that have been serving students in California since 1868. With ten campuses located throughout the state, the UC system offers a wide range of educational opportunities for students from all backgrounds. The mission of the UC system is to provide high-quality education, research, and public service that will benefit the people of California and beyond.
The UC system consists of ten campuses : UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, UC San Diego, UC Irvine, UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, UC Riverside, UC Merced and UC San Francisco (although SF does not serve undergraduates) Each campus has its own unique strengths and offerings. For example, UCLA is known for its strong film program while Berkeley is renowned for its engineering department. Similarly, UCSD is home to one of the top medical schools in the country and UCR boasts a highly acclaimed creative writing program.
Admission to any of the ten campuses within the UC system is very competitive and requires prospective students to meet certain criteria such as GPA requirements. Each campus also has its own supplemental application process which may include essays or letters of recommendation.
In addition to providing quality education opportunities to students across California, the University of California also contributes significantly to research initiatives around the world. Notable alumni from various campuses include Steve Wozniak (UC Berkeley), Francis Ford Coppola (UCLA), and John Steinbeck (UCSB).
Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG)
California residents (or those that establish state residency) have a leg up when attempting to attend a UC School with a program called TAG. Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) is a program offered by the University of California (UC) system that guarantees admission to qualified transfer students from all California Community Colleges. The TAG program allows students to receive early review of their academic records, early admission notification, and specific guidance about major preparation and general education coursework.
Eligibility Criteria for TAG
In order to be eligible for TAG, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Have completed at least 30 UC - transferrable semester/45 UC - transferrable quarter units at a California community college prior to transfer and the last college the student attended in a regular session (fall/spring or fall/winter/spring) before admission to a UC campus is a California Community College at the time of TAG submission
- Have an overall GPA of 3.4 or higher in all transferable college courses
- Have completed the required courses for their intended major with grades of C or better Submit a complete UC Transfer Admission Planner (UC TAP) application by the stated deadline
- Meet any additional requirements stipulated by the individual UC campus they are applying to
Advantages of Applying for TAG
The main advantage of applying for TAG is that it provides guaranteed admission to one UC campus. This means that if you meet all eligibility criteria and submit your application on time, you will be admitted to your chosen UC campus regardless of how competitive it may be.
TAG applicants have access to special resources such as early review of their academic records and early notification regarding their admission status. Since each UC campus offers different programs and majors, having a guaranteed spot at one particular school can help students make more informed decisions about which university they would like to attend.
Save Money Attending a Community College First
Attending college can be expensive, but there are options for students to get the most out of their education. Community colleges offer a quality education, and they are the first step to getting that guaranteed admission into the prestigious UC system. Best of all they cost less than attending a UC school for the first two-years, even for in-state tuition, so by attending a community college initially the total cost of college will be reduced.
The tuition fees for community colleges in California are much lower than those at UC schools. For example, a student enrolling in a community college would pay $46 per credit or about $138 per class ($552 per semester at 12 credits/4 classes), compared to the average in-state tuition of about $6,876 at a UC school. In addition to tuition fees, students must also consider other costs such as textbooks and supplies, housing and meals. The cost savings is significant.
Costs are even higher for out-of-state students at a UC school. If attending a UC school is important to you and you are from another state; moving to California and attending a community college for 2-years and then transferring to a UC school under the TAG agreement as a state resident could potentially save you a lot of money.
Application Process & Deadlines
The first step in applying for TAG is completing the UC Transfer Admission Planner (UC TAP). This online tool helps prospective transfer students plan out their courses and track their progress towards meeting all eligibility requirements.
Once you have completed the UC TAP application, you must submit it along with any other required documents (such as an application to the UC school you intend to transfer to) by the stated deadline to be considered for TAG. The deadlines vary depending on which UC campus you are applying to, so it is important to check with each school’s admissions office before submitting your application.
Tips For Prospective Transfer Students
To make the most out of your TAG experience and increase your chances of successful transfer into your desired UC campus, here are some tips:
- Start planning early - Begin researching different universities and planning out your coursework as soon as possible so that you can make sure you meet all eligibility criteria before submitting your application.
- Take advantage of resources - Make use of resources such as counseling services at your community college or online tools such as UC TAP in order to stay on track with your studies and ensure that you are taking all necessary steps towards achieving successful transfer into a UC school.
- Stay organized - Keep track of important dates such as deadlines for submitting applications or when transcripts need to be sent in order to avoid missing any important steps in the process.
The Transfer Admission Guarantee Program is an excellent option for qualified community college students who want to pursue their education at one of the six participating UC schools while saving money with community college tuition, without sacrificing the UC degree. With careful planning and dedication to completing all necessary coursework prior to applying for TAG, students can save money while still receiving an outstanding education from some of the best universities in the world.