Steps to Transfer
The transfer process is something you will want to start early so that you can make sure that you will meet all of the admissions requirements for your chosen school. Every school is a little different, so we highly encourage you to meet with a counselor and with the transfer center staff throughout your time here at Solano. We are here to help!
Watch the videos on our Transfer playlist from our YouTube channel for tutorials and workshops on multiple transfer topics. The first video in the series is embedded below.
First Steps
1. Choose classes for transfer and narrow down major choice
- Meet with a counselor and let them know you are interested in transferring. If you aren’t sure of your major yet, they can help you plan for general courses you will need for transfer. They can also help you decide which General Education (GE) courses you should complete. (You can find instructions for scheduling an appointment here).
- Consider pursuing an Associate Degree for Transfer.
- Begin working on your Math and English requirements early. Some programs (such as the UC TAG program) will require that you finish these or have them in progress when you apply.
- Take classes for exploration that will help you to choose a major. Your GE courses can help you figure out what subjects you are interested in and what your strengths are.
- Visit the Career Center. The Career Center has many resources to help you discover your interests and choose a field of study that will fit your needs and goals.
2. Choose a school
- Research universities online. Visit the Transfer Center to learn about Solano’s transfer agreements with 4-year universities.
- Meet with university representatives. (Visit dates can be found on the Transfer Center Events Calendar).
- Attend a transfer fair
- Visit universities in person or through virtual tours. (Check the Transfer Center website for information about upcoming campus tours).
3. Review and meet admissions requirements
- Schedule an appointment with a counselor so they can help you determine which classes you need for transfer to your chosen schools in your chosen major.
- Use assist.org to look up the major preparation courses for your major if you are applying to a UC or CSU (for some majors, these must be completed prior to transferring)
- Maintain a strong GPA—apart from the basic GPA admission requirement at your school, some majors at universities will require you to have a higher GPA in order to be eligible or competitive for admission.
- Know your application deadlines. If you are looking to start at a time other than a fall quarter or semester at CSU or UC, know that not every campus will accept winter or spring applicants. Private and out of state schools will have their own set of deadlines.
4. Apply
- Complete your applications before the deadline. We recommend applying to at least three schools.
- Visit the Transfer Center for help with your application. Look for application workshops that you can attend on the Transfer Center Events Calendar.
- If you are applying for the UC TAG program, you must complete your application between September 1st and 30th and apply during the regular application period in November.
- File your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application by the March 2nd deadline
- Continue to check your email in case the university asks for updates or clarification about your application. Many universities will require that you provide an academic update following the semester in which you apply.
You can find a printable checklist for the four steps here.
After Applying
- Create your university portal for every school which invites you to do so after you complete your application. This portal is where the university will post information related to your admissions decisions and may also have to-do lists or checklists with due dates to remind you to complete tasks, such as sending transcripts.
- Submit your petition to apply for a degree from Solano before the deadline. This is especially critical if you are earning an Associate’s Degree for Transfer. Our admissions office sends verification to the CSU system which notifies them that you are on track to earn your degree. You can find the petition here.
- Some universities may ask you for transcripts; others may not. Only send transcripts to universities who request them. You can find information about ordering transcripts from Solano here. You must send transcripts from any colleges you have attended.
Acceptance
Although many colleges still send out physical letters, for the most part you will be notified whether or not you have been accepted to a university by email or through the university portal. If you have been accepted to more than one university, it can sometimes be challenging or even anxiety-inducing to make a decision. Additional resources to help you make this decision will be posted here, but in the meantime please reach out to the Transfer Center or to your counselor for guidance.
Additional Considerations
- Decisions for CSU tend to be given between February and March. Decisions for UC tend to be given between late March and mid-April. Other colleges and universities will have their own set of deadlines. Please note that every university has different policies for when and how they send out admissions decisions. Just because one student has been accepted, it doesn’t mean you will not be accepted because you haven’t yet heard back from the university.
- Once you make your final decision about which university to attend, you will need to let the university know you are planning on attending through what may be called a Statement of Intent to Enroll, a Statement of Intent to Register or something similar. Stating your intent to enroll at a university typically also involves paying a deposit.
- Many universities have a mandatory orientation that you will need to attend, whether online or in-person. Even if orientation is not mandatory, you should attend so you can learn more about the university and receive help with enrollment.
Denial
Unfortunately you may be denied admission to universities you have applied to, which is why we always encourage you to apply to more than one university. Denials can happen for numerous reasons including: not meeting the GPA threshold for an impacted major, not meeting major preparation criteria, mistakes on your application, failure to send in documentation, among many other reasons.
Appeals
Most universities allow students to appeal admissions decisions, should their application be denied. Appeals tend to be granted very rarely, though policies may differ from one university to the next. Every university will have a different process for how to complete an appeal and for what an appeal should include. Some universities are very transparent about why your application was denied. Other universities are not. If your denial letter does not include the reason your application was denied, contact the admissions office for the university to see if they will give you additional insight as to why you were denied. This will help you write a more effective appeal letter.
You will want to check any communication you received from the university about appeals and also the university website for any information about what you should include in your appeal as well as how to file your appeal. Appeals must include new and compelling information that you can share with the university (in other words, you can’t simply state your desire to attend the university and expect that your appeal will be approved). Some universities allow you to attach supporting documentation, such as transcripts, letters of recommendation, documentation of illness, or anything else pertinent to your appeal. Other schools do not accept documentation. Do not attach documents if the school’s guidlines ask that no documentation be attached.
If you need assistance with writing your appeal letter, please meet with the transfer center staff or a counselor. View the guide below for suggestions on how to structure your admission appeal.