Education

FYI,

I'd like to provide an expanded comment to clarify the transfer process.
I have extensive experience in higher education and specifically am very knowledgeable about articulation agreements. I have been a senior administrator at various public and private universities and have promoted opportunities for first-generation students and have administered transfer centers, along with other student services.

I will try to summarize, articulation agreements have been in place for over 30 years.

California has articulation agreements between all 2 year and 4 year colleges. All students can look up their classes to see if the course transfers fully to any other California public university. Students are shown this during Orientation. It is an online 'course navigation' portal links below (different terminology may be used). Students can run 'what if' scenarios to determine which of their courses will articulate fully into any desired degree program in any university.

Additionally, academic advisors at their current community college can explain in detail every course and transfer equivalency. There are also 'transfer specialists' at the 4 year colleges and websites to help community college students plan their transfer. This is done all the time and students transfer successfully. Some 'prep' classes taken at community colleges do not transfer into any degree programs.

Some classes may transfer as 'credit only' but will not be accepted into a specific degree program if it doesn't meet the accreditation standards for a specific degree.
Example: engineering degrees require 'calculus based physics courses' ; algebra based physics courses do not transfer fully into engineering degree requirements. It seems that this student is looking at a science undergraduate degree. Science, Engineering, Nursing, etc. are the MOST competitive degree programs and may set higher admission standards to transfer into their departments

It's not unusual that a student takes additional courses that do not transfer, usually it's a few credits. The degree-granting department accepting the credits and admissions work together to determine what courses from the community college fully transfer into their degree programs. This is all automated now. If a 4-year university rejects a specific course, it may be that data has shown that other students from a specific community college or other college have failed is upper-division course after transferring. There's more to say here, but I'm trying to be brief. We want students to be successful, not 'flunk-out'.

Im summary:

I'm sorry that the student is disappointed, I've seen similar situations. Sometimes, students change their intended majors, or listen to friends, or don't realize these details. However, There are amply resources to help students progress at the CA Community Colleges. And, I have seen many successfully transfer and continue their degree matriculation. The CA Community Colleges are fantastic. The CSU and UC are fantastic.


Bottom Line:
Visit the Admissions Office and talk with transfer specialists.
Make an appointment with Academic Advisors and Counselors and review degree options.
Attend Transfer Days that are hosted either virtually or in-person.
Call or email your prospective undergraduate department. Read their degree requirements online.

I hope this particular student continues their education and graduates. Good Luck in your future endeavors!

Please Pass on these websites to current and prospective students. CSU and UC loves our community college transfer students.

Resources:
https://uctap.universityofcalifornia.edu/students/
https://www.calstate.edu/apply/transfer
https://assist.org/