Transfer Students

Transfer students at UC Davis often come from their local community colleges, while some do transfer from other four-year institutions. Most come from community colleges, since they tend to be easier to transfer from than other four-year schools. However, some students started out initially at a four year school straight out of high school, but for whatever reason, decided not to continue at their initial school and went to community college to enter UCD as a transfer.

The number of students transferring from community colleges has increased over the years. Taking lower division courses at a community college can save thousands of dollars over taking the same courses at a University of California campus. This can help many students to avoid a high debt load after graduating from college.

The university lumps transfer students together with reentry students. More information can be had from the Transfer Student Services part of the Student Special Services center in the South Hall on the UC Davis campus.

On the positive side, transfer students of junior standing are given the highest priority when applying for admission to UC Davis if they are transferring from a California Community College. They also get their own UC Davis Orientation program, which for 2009 begins mid-June.

Often transfer students, especially those from out of the area, are just as mystified and lonely as out of state students. To help, we have a Transfer Student Guide to help transfers assimilate themselves into Davis life.

Looking for housing is especially fun when you get interviewed by 5 people who all lived together in the dorms. -aec

Being a transfer student is kinda like being a freshman, except you're generally the only one in your classes that's so clueless about campus and town. - JevanGray

2005-09-20   You are sort of right. Another thing is that many transfer students are a little older, so we feel really out of the group. Hey man we don't really want to talk about how much the world hates one or the other. We are just ready to challenge life. We had to travel a long road to be where we are, for we didn't have the same resources young kids might had. —CristinaPerdomo

2006-05-02 17:24:11   In a way, being a transfer student makes me sad, i feel like i missed out on so much stuff that went on at the College, and i won't be able to see it all or do it all by the time i leave in 2 years. =( —SydneySwartz

2006-10-27 15:58:50   But we have the comfort of knowing we didn't have to share a year with people they hated in the dorms :) And we (IGETCers) don't have to worry about all those pesky GEs during senior year! —LizCerv

2006-10-29 12:19:52   I think a lot of transfer students end up here for three years, so on the bright side, you'll have a little more time. —MatthewTom

2009-05-07 11:38:03   I thought this was funny because this is exactly where I am right now: "However, some students started out initially at a four year school straight out of high school, but for whatever reason, decided not to continue at their initial school and went to community college to enter UCD as a transfer." —JohnDudek

2009-06-13 06:27:18   Hello everyone, just hoping to feel welcome me and my future wife will be transfering to Davis after we get married in july 16. We are both students (I'm a Poli Sci major, and she's a Psych major). Hoping to stay in Davis for long if I get accepted in the School of Law. —jean-pierre

2010-01-31 18:38:24   I transfered from CC in Fall 08. I was so clueless about Davis for the first two quarters. Thankfully I have friends now and I love Davis. But, I was confused as to what to take and had to take a few lower div classes my CC didn't offer so I'm not graduating til December. Woo Transfers!!!! —BryceH