Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's): Topics

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Question: What GPA do I need to have to transfer to UC Davis?

Answer: For most majors, you must have a GPA of at least 2.8 to be a competitive applicant. For majors in the College of Engineering, you must have a GPA of at least 3.1 to be a competitive applicant.

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Question: What are the requirements to transfer to UC Davis?

Answer: To be eligible for admission to UC Davis as a junior transfer student, you must fulfill both of the following criteria:

• Complete 60 semester (90 quarter) units of transferable coursework with a GPA of at least 2.8.
• Complete the following seven transferable college courses, earning a grade of C or better in each course:

• Two courses in English composition;
• One course in mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning;
• Four courses chosen from at least two of these subject areas: arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and physical and biological sciences.

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Question: Can I apply to transfer to Davis for my sophomore year?

Answer: It is rare for students to transfer to UC Davis at the sophomore level (any student with less than 60 semester or 90 quarter units). The only college that may accept sophomore level applications is the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences in non-selective majors for fall terms. Priority is given to students from California community colleges. You can check the open or closed status for majors at the University of California's Web site, universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/apply/apply_majors.html.  

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Question: Does UC Davis have a transfer unit limit?

Answer: If you have completed 80 semester (120 quarter) units or more of transferable community college and/or four-year college units, your admission is subject to the approval by the respective dean for majors in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, College of Biological Sciences or College of Letters and Science.  

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Question: Do I have to complete IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum) to be admitted to UC Davis?

Answer: No, completion of IGETC is not required for admission to UC Davis. In fact, we do not recommend that you complete IGETC if you plan to enter a major with substantial lower-division requirements, such as those offered in the College of Biological Sciences. In this case, it’s more important to complete courses required for your major than to fulfill all of your general education requirements before transferring. IGETC works well for students planning for Bachelor of Arts majors with few units of lower-division preparation. Students choosing the IGETC pattern should complete it while at community college (with some exceptions). The Web sites assist.org and registrar.ucdavis.edu/UCDWebCatalog provide aditional details.
 

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Question: How do I know if my classes transfer?

Answer: Our Admissions office cannot evaluate transcripts to determine your transferable courses until you apply to UC Davis. If you attend a California community college, you can use the assist.org Web site to determine which of your classes transfer to UC Davis. If you attend a school other than a California community college, you can get a good idea of your transferable courses by comparing your course descriptions with the course descriptions of similar classes here at UC Davis (or at any UC). If the course descriptions match up, the courses will probably transfer. You can find UC Davis' course descriptions in our General Catalog: registrar.ucdavis.edu/UCDWebCatalog.  

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Question: Can I transfer to UC Davis from another UC campus? Are my chances of admission to UC Davis higher if I'm already attending another UC campus?

Answer: Yes, students can transfer to UC Davis from other UC campuses. However, the highest priority for transfer admission is given to junior-level California community college applicants with 60 semester (90 quarter) units. Next priority is given to junior-level applicants from other UC campuses and other four-year institutions, in and out of California. Finally, if space is available, lower-division (sophomore-level) transfer applicants with superior grades may be admitted, but only into the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Visit our prospective transfer student page for more information about applying to UC Davis as a transfer student.

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Question: How long must I have attended a California community college to be considered a California community college transfer applicant?

Answer: You need only be enrolled in a California community college when you apply to be considered a California community college transfer applicant.

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Question: Can I apply to UC Davis as a transfer applicant if I will not complete my 60 semester units (90 quarter units) until the end of summer?

Answer: You must have completed 60 semester or 90 quarter transferable units by the end of the spring term prior to fall enrollment to be considered for transfer admission to UC Davis. If you plan to apply before earning junior-level status (90 transferable quarter units or 60 transferable semester units), the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences occasionally considers applications in non-selective majors (see a list of selective majors), but very few lower-division transfers are admitted. The College of Letters and Science, the College of Engineering and the College of Biological Sciences accept applications from junior-level transfers only.

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Question: Can I transfer to UC Davis from a California State University (CSU) campus?  

Answer:
Yes. However, highest priority for admission is given to junior-level California community college transfer applicants with at least 60 semester (90 quarter) units. Priority is next given to junior-level transfer students from other UC campuses and other four-year institutions in and out of California, including CSU campuses. Finally, if space is available, lower division transfers with superior grades are admitted, but only into the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.

To transfer to UC Davis you will need to have a minimum of 60 semester units of transferable coursework. You will also need to complete UC transfer eligibility courses and any prerequisite courses required for your major. You can find more information about this at admissions.ucdavis.edu/admissions/tr_adm_reqt.cfm.

You can get a good idea of the CSU courses that will transfer by comparing the course descriptions of the classes you've taken with the course descriptions of similar classes here at UC Davis (or at any UC). If the course descriptions match up, the class will probably transfer. You can find our course descriptions in our general catalog at registrar.ucdavis.edu/UCDWebCatalog.

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Question: I am attending a university outside of California. Where can I find out which out-of-state college credits are recognized by UC Davis?

Answer:

The college in your area must be accredited by the Middle States Association, and coursework must be comparable to what we offer within the University of California system. You can compare the coursework at your college with the offerings in our general catalog to determine if the courses offered are similar.

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Question: Which courses at my California community college will fulfill UC Davis admissions, general education or major requirements?

Answer: The ASSIST web site provides a complete listing of transferable courses offered at California Community Colleges that satisfy UC Davis requirements. We encourage you to work with your community college counselor to develop a transfer plan. If you're a student at one of our Northern California community colleges that participates in our Transfer Opportunity Program (TOP),UC Davis advisers from Undergraduate Admissions visit regularly to provide information about UC Davis admission and selection, major preparation, general education, financial aid, housing and many other important student services. Visit your transfer center to schedule an appointment to speak with one of our TOP. Visit our transfer planning page for more information.

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Question: I am currently attending a four-year college outside of California and would like to apply for transfer admission to UC Davis. Can I tranfer my credits to UC Davis?

Answer:
Unfortunately we cannot review your transcript before receiving your application. We suggest you compare course descriptions at your college with UC Davis course descriptions. If the descriptions are comparable, they will likely transfer. We also recommend you review UC eligibility and UC Davis transfer admission requirements to ensure that you satisfy all requirements for the major you will apply to.

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