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UC Guaranteed/Priority Admission Programs 

What is a guaranteed/priority admission program?
 
The University of California and Santiago Canyon College have jointly developed special transfer admission programs in which a Santiago Canyon College student signs a contract with a participating UC campus, and if that contract is fulfilled, will be admitted to the UC campus on a guaranteed admission or a priority admission basis.  
 
What are the advantages to a guaranteed/priority admission program?
 
Along with priority or guaranteed admission, a major benefit to students who participate in a Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) is that if the criteria for the program changes, such as a higher GPA requirement, the student will only be held to the criteria established at the time the contract was submitted. Other benefits include:
  • Students may have TAGs with more than one UC campus.
  • TAGed students will gain early admission notification (by November 15th)
  • Priority housing
  • Notification of special campus events
 
Are all agreements the same?
 
Each of the 7 UC campuses offering a TAG has its own unique requirements and some exclude certain majors (i.e. fine and performing arts majors that require portfolio or audition). In general, students are expected to complete general education courses and major preparation requirements prior to transfer. In addition, students are encouraged to have completed, or be in-progress with, two transfer level English and a transfer level math class at the time of contract. All programs require U.S. citizenship or Permanent Resident status. 
 
UCLA's Transfer Alliance Program (TAP) grants priority consideration for admission based on successful completion of SCC's Honor's Program. It is not a guaranteed program like the TAG.
 
 General Eligibility for all TAGs:
 
  • Meet all UC admission eligibility requirements prior to transfer
  • California Community College student (each campus has a residency requirement for TAG)
  • Have 30 UC transferable units completed at time of TAG application 
  • Complete 60 UC transferable units by the end of the spring of the transfer year
  • Meet campus and major specific GPA minimums
  • Complete online TAG application during the filing period (Sept. 1-30) for fall admission
  • Complete UC admission application during the filing period (Nov. 1-30) for fall admission
 
Transfer Agreement Programs
 
The grid below highlights some campus specific TAG requirements and limitations. Students are advised to meet with an SCC counselor or a Transfer Center representative for full details regarding each program.
 

Program

School

Type of Agreement

Campus Specific Criteria and/or Limitations

Transfer Admission Guarantee

UC Davis

Guaranteed

GPA reqs: Ag & Env. Sci-2.8; L&S-2.9; Engin-3.1

Transfer Admission Guarantee

UC Irvine

Guaranteed

Eng 101 and transferable math completed at time of app; min 3.0 gpa

Transfer Alliance Program

UCLA

Priority

Completion of SCC Honors Program and UC eligibility; TAP certification with Honors counselor

Transfer Admission Guarantee

UC Merced

Guaranteed

Min 2.8-3.1 gpa depending on major; considers spring TAGs (May 1-31)

Transfer Admission Guarantee

UC Riverside

Guaranteed

All coursework must be from CA community college; considers winter TAGs (May1-31)

Transfer Admission Guaranteed

UC San Diego

Guaranteed

Does not guarantee choice of school or major; min 3.0 gpa; complete two transferable English and one math by end of fall; full IGETC certification by end of spring

Transfer Admission Guarantee

UC Santa Barbara

Guaranteed

Min 3.2 gpa; complete two transferable English and one math by end of fall

Transfer Admission Guarantee

UC Santa Cruz

Guaranteed

Min 3.0 gpa