The Transfer Center at Fresno City College offers students the help they need to plan their education beyond community college.

Located in the Students Services Building, the Transfer Center offers assistance to students who have questions regarding their next choice in education. Dr. Sonya Hildreth, Dean of Student Services, recommends that students come in during their first semester at FCC. “That way, they can setup a guideline for their transfer requirements,” she said.

Although it would seem probable, James Tucker, Dean of Instruction for Library and Student Learning Support said that the library is not the place for students seeking in transfer advice and counseling. However, he said that “students should start their journey with the catalog” which are located in the library.

Tucker added that catalogs are often overlooked, but they provide useful information on the schools to which students hope to transfer. College catalogs can be found in the library in the area housing transfer information.

Counselors are invaluable in this process. Hildreth said counselors are “able to answer any questions” which students may have. FCC has a number of full-time and part-time counselors to provide good information that help students.

FCC offers several courses that are transferable, but it is important that students verify the specifics for each area of interest. Leticia Canales, a counselor in the Transfer Center, said students should be aware that certain majors are competitive and are thus harder to gain acceptance in.

“It’s important to meet with a counselor at least once a semester to avoid problems,” said Canales. “Also, alert your counselor if you’ve attended multiple colleges, or technical institutes, prior to transferring.” Additionally, CSU and UC regulations change every so often, so meeting with a counselor can be helpful.

Applications to the UCs can be costly, ranging up to $60, so students should make sure their papers are in order and be very organized to get the full benefits. Canales said, “A helpful reminder to students, familiarize yourself with assist.org, your major requirements, and TAG before meeting with a counselor, as to manage your time more effectively.”

Assist.org is the foundation for CSU and UC transfer information. The website offers a printable outline for the requirements for all campuses, following the guideline in California and each of their majors.

TAG, Transfer Admission Guarantee, is a formal, written agreement, specifically with UCs, which outlines the courses students must complete before transferring. It shows requirements such as the grade point average and other standards. Students are advised to obtain 30 UC transferable units by the end of the summer semester in order to qualify for the program.

Students avoid complications in their transfer process by following assist.org and TAG guidelines.