1. Why Choose Community College? Transfer Focus
By Jill Morrison
Counselor
Folsom Lake College

2. Community college Misconceptions & Myths
Students only attend community college because they can not get into a four-year University
Community colleges are inexpensive, so the education is not high quality
Four-year colleges do not accept community college credits
High achievers do not go to Community College
Community College is mainly for the older student who work full-time
Financial aid is not available at community college
Community college Misconceptions & Myths

3. Community College Facts
Fact: Many students attend community college for the convenience, being close to home, family, jobs & for financial reasons
Fact: California Community Colleges are the largest provider of workforce training in the state and nation
Fact: 29% of University of California & 51% of California State University graduates started at a California Community College
Fact: 80% of the nations firefighters, law enforcement officers, and emergency medical personnel are trained at community colleges (American Association of Community Colleges)
Fact: California Community Colleges educate 70% of our state’s nurses
Fact: Students who earn a degree or certificate from a California Community College nearly double their earnings within three years
Community College Facts

4. Community college Facts
Fact: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that occupations that require an associate degree will grow by 18% through 2020 – faster than the new job growth for those with a bachelor’s degree
Fact: Nearly 42% of all California Veterans receiving GI educational benefits attend a California Community College
Fact: Financial aid is available even though the cost of community college is lower
Fact: Community colleges have high standards. Professors have Masters & PhD’s; class sizes are small; and placement exams, prerequisites are required for many classes
Fact: Community college alumni have gone on to careers as varied as bank CEO, Olympic medalist, actor, ambassador, state governor, country music singer, Congressman, chief medical examiner and space shuttle commander. (SchoolsintheUSA.com)
Many high achievers have gone to community college ( Eileen Collins & Sam Shepard, astronaut, Tom Hanks & Clint Eastwood, actor, Walt Disney, George Lucas, directed Star Wars, Aaron Rodgers, Quarterback for Green Bay Packers, and many more…
(statistics from California Community Colleges Chancellor’s office)
Community college Facts

5. More than half of students earning a degree from CSU began at a California Community College
Articulation agreements with four-year colleges ensure that students meet transfer requirements
8 out of every 10 California Community College transfer applicants are qualified & admitted to a 4-year college
Transfer students from the California Community Colleges to the University of California system currently account for 48% of UC’s bachelor’s degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
“Junior Level” community college transfer students are given the highest admissions consideration of all transfers who apply to UC and CSU
Transfer Quick Facts

6. Basic Transfer Requirements
Students need 60 transferable units (Courses numbered in Los Rios)
To complete the first two years of study at community college and transfer as a junior to finish the last two years at a 4 year institution. (Upper Division transfer)
Majority of public 4 year colleges require students to transfer as upper division transfers.
Community College transfer process very different from high school. Admission based on community college coursework only
High school grades (a-g) and standardized tests (SAT/ACT) not used for transfer admissions
Complete admission and general education courses CSU’s and UC’s accept up to 70 units
Earn a minimum transferable GPA of 2.0 (CSU) & 2.4 (UC)
Other options: Private or out of state Universities
Basic Transfer Requirements

7. Preparing for the Major
Students often believe they only need General Education (GE) to transfer
Universities EXPECT major prep to be complete
This makes students competitive for admission AND will save time and money after transfer
Major requirements are often more important than GE
Some majors have NO major prep; some have 55 or more units
Which major prep is needed?
Check out:
Preparing for the Major

8. Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG)
California Community Colleges have TAG agreements with 4-year Colleges
A Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) is a program that offers students from a community college guaranteed admissions to colleges and universities. TAG contract enables qualified students to be guaranteed admissions one year prior to transfer.
Six University of California (UC) campuses offer guaranteed admission to students from all California community colleges (CCC). Interested students must meet campus-specific requirements to qualify for a UC TAG. Only students transferring directly from a California community college (CCC) are considered for a TAG, including international students (those with a visa).
A CCC transfer student is one who has completed at least 30 semester (45 quarter) UC-transferable units at one or more California community colleges, and the last college the student attended is a California community college.
Not Eligible for a TAG: Students who have already earned a bachelor’s, graduate and/or professional degree; students who have previously enrolled at a UC campus during a regular term cannot submit a TAG application to return to that campus; and students concurrently enrolled in high school.
To pursue a TAG, students must: Complete the online UC TAG application and submit it during the appropriate filing period.
FLC currently maintains TAG’s with 31 colleges and universities
Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG)

9. Tips for Graduating Seniors
Keep your Math and English skills fresh your senior year (You are placed where you assess).
Make sure to send AP/CLEP test scores to college of your choice once you have applied. Credit by exam can give you college credit and exempt you from having to take specific college courses.
Apply for Financial Aid – regardless if you think you will qualify.
Start English and Math as soon as you get to college. Your major may require extensive levels of math, which can add to the length of time at community college.
See a counselor each semester. In college, you do not have an assigned counselor like in high school.
Your counselor will help you develop an education plan to meet your goals.
Use free support programs & services on campus.
Consider an internship once you decide on a major.
Tips for Graduating Seniors

10. California Community College Tuition Cost
$46 per unit for community college tuition
NOTE: Fees are subject to change, these are approximate costs based on college averages and programs
California Community College Tuition Cost

11. Top Ten Reasons to Choose Community College
Save Money - $46 a unit
Give students an opportunity to explore major options
Small class size and quality instruction
Flexible class schedules
Offer transfer programs to help students go to the university of their choice (including Transfer Admission Agreements)
Obtain a certificate or an Associate Degree (AA/AS/ADT)
Student Support Services such as Counseling, EOP&S, DSP&S, Financial Aid, free tutoring
Student activities, sports & clubs on campus
Upgraded job skills
Community college students who earn their degree or vocational certificate have nearly tripled their income potential over the last five years (Accountability Reporting)
Top Ten Reasons to Choose Community College

12. For More Information Contact: Jill Morrison Counselor (916) 608-6510 morrisj@flc.losrios.edu
Questions?