Transfer Admission Guarantee

Early Planning & Eligibility

• Are TAG requirements subject to change? If so, when?

  Yes, criteria required to qualify for TAG at UCR can change annually in May. We recommend you meet with your CCC counselor between mid-May and September — one full year before your planned UCR enrollment — to discuss the details.

• Are any majors closed for the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) at UCR?

  Yes. The Art (Studio) major and the Education, Society, and Human Development with Teaching Credential major are both closed for TAG.

• Do I have to complete all the major preparation courses on ASSIST.org to qualify for TAG?

  For selective majors, you must complete required major preparation courses by the end of the spring term prior to transfer. You must also meet any specific major preparation GPA requirements to satisfy the conditions of TAG. You can apply for TAG to other non-selective majors without completing all the courses on ASSIST.org, although it is highly recommended to complete as much major preparation as possible to be prepared to transfer.

• Must I complete the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) for TAG eligibility?

  Completing the IGETC or Cal-GETC is not required for TAG eligibility at UCR.

  IGETC generally works well if you are pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree with few lower-division prerequisites. However, Bachelor of Science degrees and higher-unit majors often require extensive lower-division course preparation. Review general education requirements in the UCR General Catalog or on ASSIST.org.

• Can my Advanced Placement (AP) exams or International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level exams be used to meet TAG requirements?

  Yes. Units from AP exams and/or IB can be used to meet the unit requirement for TAG. Students must self-report any tests from AP or IB Higher Level Examinations on the TAG application.

  AP exams can also be used to meet subject requirements for most majors. For details and limitations, visit ASSIST.org . Unit values and UC subject requirement areas can be found on AP & Exam credits.

  For UCR course equivalents, consult the “College Board Advanced Placement Examination Credit chart” on pages 42–44 in the UCR General Catalog.

• Can I TAG if I have units from somewhere other than a California Community College (CCC)?

  Yes, provided you have completed at least 30 semester or 45 quarter units at a CCC and your final term before transferring is also at a CCC.

  Courses taken at non-CCC institutions are not guaranteed to transfer to the UC system. For details, visit the UC Transfer Credit statement.

• I have four-year or non-CA community college units. Will they count toward my TAG unit requirements?

  Yes, but with specific conditions. TAG requires you to complete at least 30 of your 60 semester units (or 45 of your 90 quarter units) at a California Community College (CCC). Additionally, your last attended institution before transferring must be a CCC.

  While units earned at other colleges or universities can help fulfill TAG requirements, they are not guaranteed to transfer. These credits will be evaluated for UC transferability only after your UC application is received. Any untransferable courses could directly impact your TAG eligibility and overall UC admission.

• Can I have too many units to be eligible for TAG?

  If you have only attended a CCC, you will remain within the unit cap for TAG. There is no unit limitation for you.

  If you attended institutions in addition to a CCC, speak with your CCC counselor for details regarding unit limitations. After applying UC lower-division unit limitations and exclusions, you must have fewer than 80 semester (120 quarter) transferable units of college coursework at the time of enrollment.

• What if my CCC does not offer a required course?

  If your primary CCC doesn’t offer a required UCR course, take an equivalent course at another CCC. Course availability can be confirmed on ASSIST.org.

• Is TAG binding?

  No. TAG is a guarantee, but it is not binding. Even if you are admitted to UCR through TAG, you remain completely free to enroll at any college or university where you are accepted.

• By submitting a TAG, am I really guaranteed admission to UCR?

  If you submit a TAG application and meet all TAG conditions, then your admission to UCR is guaranteed. If you submit the TAG application but do not meet all TAG conditions, then your admission to UCR is not guaranteed.

Choosing Campuses & Application Submission

• Can I submit a TAG application to more than one UC campus?

  No, you can only submit a TAG application to one of six participating UC campuses. However, you can apply for general admission to as many UC campuses as you wish.

• If I submit a TAG for another UC campus, can I still apply and be admitted to UCR?

  Yes, you welcome apply to UCR. Although you won’t have the assurances of TAG, you can access the UC application beginning Aug. 1 and submit between Oct. 1–Nov. 30.

• Do I need to submit a UC application if I submitted a TAG application to UCR?

  Yes. To remain eligible for TAG, you must complete both applications. The TAG application must be submitted Sept. 1–30, followed by the general University of California (UC) application Oct. 1–Nov. 30. Be sure your TAG major is listed as your first-choice major on the UC application.

• Do I need to submit transcripts with my TAG application?

  Transcripts are not required when submitting your TAG application. However, if you are admitted, you will need to submit official transcripts and test scores prior to fall enrollment. Official high school and college transcripts are due July 1, followed by official test scores no later than July 15.

  Note: Self-reported coursework on TAG and University of California applications must match your official, sealed transcripts. Make sure to report any coursework completed at a college or university outside the U.S and be prepared to submit course descriptions with word-for-word English translations upon request.

• How should I report my planned spring courses? What if my winter/spring schedule changes from what I entered on the TAG application?

  List any planned winter or spring courses on your TAG application. Then, update your planned courses on your UC application in November and/or in the UC application via the Transfer Academic Update (TAU) in January. Your spring courses do not have to match on your TAG and UC applications. If you meet eligibility and major preparation requirements, it is fine to take different winter or spring courses than those originally listed on your TAG application.

Post-Submission & Changes

• I submitted my TAG but noticed I made a mistake. How do I fix this?

  Your UC application, which you will submit between Oct. 1–Nov. 30, serves as an update to your TAG application. In January, you will report your fall grades and any schedule changes for the winter and/or spring terms through the Transfer Academic Update (TAU) on the UC application. We will use both your UC application and TAU to confirm you have meet all TAG requirements.

  Note: Transfer students are responsible for accurately reporting all college coursework on the TAG and UC applications.

• I submitted my TAG application and now want to change my major. Is this possible?

  Changing your major after submitting your TAG will void your TAG application. However, you will still be evaluated for regular admission to the major specified on your general UC application. If changing your major is the sole reason you don’t meet the TAG criteria, and you meet all the necessary major preparation coursework for the new program (if applicable), then you will still be considered a strong candidate for admission. For more information, visit the Majors Preparation Guide.

• I submitted my TAG, but I don’t think I will be able to meet TAG requirements. Will I be denied admission?

  If you apply for TAG but are found ineligible, you will still be evaluated and considered for regular admission to UCR.

Decisions

• When will I receive my TAG and admission decision?

  If you submit your TAG application by Sept. 30, you will be notified of your approval status after mid-November. Once your TAG is approved and you complete all UC transfer admission requirements, you will receive your official UCR admission decision in early April.