Since the move to remote operations in mid-March, all services offered at City College have transitioned completely online, including the Transfer Center. 

“This is a busy and exciting time for transfer students as they continue to receive acceptance notices from universities,” said Maristella Bacod, Transfer Center coordinator/counselor.

The Transfer Center is open during its regular hours Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. through email, phone and social media, according to Paula Gonzalez, a former City College student, who, with Bacod, are the two full-time staff members assisting students in the Transfer Center.

Gonzalez was hired this past December as a permanent staff member for the Transfer Center. 

“Paula has been maintaining the Transfer Center and has been a critical point person for connecting students to transfer resources such as university representatives, creating TAP accounts, and referrals for counseling assistance,” said Bacod via email.

Students can visit the Transfer Center website for upcoming events and workshops, such as application workshops, major workshops and university rep visits. 

“The Transfer Center continues to be committed to providing support and resources to help students reach their transfer goals,” Gonzalez said in an email. “The Transfer Center can assist with support on the fall 2020 transfer application process, assistance with understanding communication from UCs and CSUs or other universities, questions regarding appointments with university representatives, assistance with creating/updating UC TAP accounts, and any other general transfer related questions.”

All CSUs and UCs have contacted transfer students about their fall admissions, and students are encouraged to check their emails and their student portals for more announcements, Gonzalez said. CSU campuses send acceptance letters by the end of March, and UC campuses contact students about their acceptance status by the end of April. 

“The universities still haven’t made an official announcement whether or not their campuses will be open in fall, but they are prepared to offer campus tours, orientation and advising sessions virtually during the summer,” said Gonzalez. 

City College students are still able to meet with representatives remotely from different universities via email, phone and Zoom, Gonzalez added. Representatives for May include UC Davis, Sacramento State and UC Santa Cruz. A representative for UC Davis and UC Merced will be available Tuesday, May 5, and a representative for Sacramento State will be available Thursday, May 7.

The Transfer Center offers a variety of services and resources to all students who plan to transfer.

Bacod is available to help students remotely through counseling assistance. 

“If students have any concerns about their current courses and how it may impact their transfer goal, they can schedule an email and/or phone appointment with her,” explained Gonzalez via email. 

In addition, Bacod can evaluate transcripts for general education and major courses, help students understand transfer criteria, such as impacted and selective major requirements, and help students select courses for the upcoming summer and fall semesters, Gonzalez said. 

Bacod determines transfer eligibility and can provide students with a transfer timeline as well. Bacod can also help students submit petitions for an Academic Renewal, provide information about ADT (Associate Degree for Transfer), and update or create a Student Education Plan for transfer.

In addition, Gonzalez recommended that students should continue to check their email, eservices and other student portals linked to the university they plan to attend (particularly if they will transfer in fall 2020), and continue to reach out to campus support programs—such as the Tutoring Center, Writing Lab and Math Lab—if they want assistance with courses. 

Gonzalez added that students should start identifying at least three to five universities where they might like to transfer and know the deadlines for those schools since applications are due a year ahead of their transfer date. That means for students who are planning to transfer in fall 2021, applications are due in October/November 2020. 

Gonzalez also advises students to meet with a counselor at least once a semester, to reach out to professors for support, and to start planning to transfer now.

“Stay positive and motivated. These are challenging times and we are here to assist you with reaching your goals,”Gonzalez said. “The Transfer Center will continue to support students in any way possible to help students reach their transfer goals. We are open remotely to answer any transfer questions, book an appointment with a representative or with the Transfer Center Coordinator/Counselor.” 

Links for transfer students that address topics such as the new Pass/No Pass option and summer online enrollment:

UC: https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/response-covid-19.html

CSU: https://www2.calstate.edu/apply/freshman/Pages/community-college-guidance-incoming-transfers.aspx

Transfer Center contact information:

Email: [email protected]

Phone number: 916-558-2181

Instagram: scc.transfer.center

Paula Gonzalez:

Transfer Center Specialist

[email protected]

Phone number: 916-558-2607

Maristella Bacod:

Transfer Center Coordinator/Counselor

[email protected]

Phone number: 916-558-2231