The University of California, Santa Barbara Transfer Prep Program aims to prepare entering and continuing community college students to transfer to the University of California. We offer two programs: Transfer Making It Happen and Transfer Preparation Academy. We also offer various transfer webinars and virtual advising opportunities throughout the year.
UCSB Transfer Prep Program Curriculum & Outcomes
UCSB Transfer Prep Programs include information on the UC admission process, financial aid, transfer support programs, and other academic enrichment opportunities. Participants of our Transfer Prep Programs will also have the opportunity to establish direct communication with current UCSB students and transfer admission counselors who will serve as a guide throughout the UC transfer process.
Following the program’s end, UCSB transfer admissions counselors will maintain contact with program participants via specialized newsletters, email campaigns, and webinars to share important transfer events, deadlines, and academic opportunities.
UC Systemwide Transfer Resources
UC Transfer Admission Planner (UC TAP)
An online tool designed for California community college students to track coursework in preparation for transferring to UC.
UC Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG)
A program for California community college students to guarantee their fall admission to a specific UC campus. The online TAG contract establishes criteria required to be guaranteed admission in the major of your choice.
UC Transfer Pathways
A single set of courses you can take to prepare for your major, before transferring to one of UC’s nine undergraduate campuses. Available for the top majors systemwide.
ASSIST
An online information system that helps you find community college courses that are transferable to a CSU or UC campus. Explains how those courses might be used to satisfy admission, general education, and major preparation coursework.
Transfer Prep Resource Guide
A detailed transfer preparation guide with information, resources, and helpful tools. Topics covered include a UC overview, admission requirements, and an application timeline.
Transfer Making It Happen (TMIH)
UCSB’s Transfer Making It Happen (TMIH) is a transfer preparation program that strives to ensure entering first-year community college students make a smooth transition into the University of California (UC). TMIH is open to all graduating high school seniors entering a California community college (CCC).
TMIH participants will be introduced to the key resources at the community college, as well as resources at the UC, that will support their transfer journey. Students will be equipped with the critical information needed to transfer within a timely manner.
To be eligible for TMIH, students should be:
- A graduating CA high school senior planning to enroll at a CA community college for the 2025-2026 academic year
- Students enrolling at a CA community college for the first time for the 2025-2026 that have not previously attended another college or university
Check out and Share the UCSB TMIH 2025 Flyer!
Applying to TMIH 2025-2026
High school students who are interested in applying to the Transfer Making It Happen Program must attend one of the two TMIH webinar sessions offered and create a UC Transfer Admission Planner (UC TAP) account. In your TAP account, please enter any college courses and grades or AP exams up to Spring 2025, if applicable.
TMIH Sessions (Only register and attend 1):
Transfer Preparation Academy
The UCSB Transfer Preparation Academy is a free summer program designed for California community college (CCC) students who plan to apply for transfer admission to the University of California for Fall 2026 admission or beyond. Participants will discover academic and co-curricular opportunities available at UCSB, while obtaining individualized UC admissions support. Students will attend workshops that strengthen their leadership skills, experience lectures and workshops, and engage in meaningful discussions with the UCSB community and other transfer students.
To be eligible for TPA, students should be:
- Currently enrolled at a CA community college and continuing to be enrolled at a CCC for the 2025-2026 academic year
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Create and have a fully updated UC TAP Account with all courses and grades up to Spring 2025 and any planned coursework for 2025-2026 academic year
- Students applying for Fall 2026 transfer admissions or beyond
In addition to submitted a UCSB Transfer Prep Application, students who are interested in participating in the Transfer Preparation Academy must create a UC Transfer Admission Planner (UC TAP) and enter all college courses and grades up to Spring 2025 (and any planned coursework for the 2025-2026 academic year). Students should also indicate that they are interested in the Transfer Preparation Academy in the “Support Programs” section of the UC TAP:
Transfer Prep Academy (In-person Session)
Dates: July 23-25, 2025 | Deadline: May 17, 2025 | Also complete a UC TAP account!
Overnight program on the University of California, Santa Barbara Campus
Transfer Prep Academy (Virtual Session)
Dates: July 30-31, 2025 | Deadline: July 15, 2025
Virtual Program
Apply to In-Person TPAApply to Virtual TPAUC TAP
Check out and Share the UCSB TPA 2025 Flyer!
Transfer Preparation Programs Frequently Asked Questions
Students can only apply to one program. Please review program descriptions and eligibility requirements, and apply to the program you would like to be considered for. If you have questions about which program is best for you, please contact us at admissions@ucsb.edu.
There is no fee to apply to or attend any of our UCSB Transfer Prep Programs.
See the program details above for specific deadlines.
While the application is open to all prospective transfer students, the 2025 TPA is designed for current California Community College students who plan to transfer to a UC campus in fall 2026. Applicants who meet the following criteria will be prioritized for acceptance into the program:
- At least 30 semester/45 quarter units completed by the end of spring 2025
- At least one UC-English and one UC-Math course completed or planned by the end of fall 2025
- Minimum 3.0 UC transferable GPA
- Submit TPA application by the May 17 deadline!
Students who apply to TMIH will receive program details two weeks before the session.
Students who apply to Transfer Prep Academy will receive a response by June 13, 2025.
Participation in any of our Transfer Prep Programs by itself will not affect your chances of admission, but participants will learn valuable information that may strengthen their application to UCSB and other UC campuses.
We expect participants who accept their participation in the program to attend all sessions and program activities. We understand that unavoidable circumstances occasionally arise, so we ask that participants communicate with our team as soon as possible, in the case of last-minute conflicts.
Questions?
If you have any questions about any of the Transfer Preparation Programs, please email us at admissions@ucsb.edu.