UniversityLink

UniversityLink FAQs

1. What is the UniversityLink Program?
2. Who is eligible to participate in UniversityLink?
3. What do I do to become a UniversityLink participant?
4. What are the requirements of the program?
5. What are the benefits to being a UniversityLink student?
6. What are the differences between UniversityLink and TAG (Transfer Admission Guarantee)?
7. What's the process of actually transferring to UCSD for UniversityLink students?

What is the UniversityLink Program?

The UniversityLink program is a guarantee program into UCSD, provided that you meet eligibility, academic requirements, and program requirements.  The program includes the following:

Ø   A partnership between the UCSD, community colleges and feeder high schools.

Ø   A program that guarantees you admission and helps you meet your goal of enrolling at UCSD.

Ø   A program offering individual counseling and activities facilitating a smooth transfer to UCSD.

Ø   A program designed to increase the college going and transfer rates of student living in San Diego, Imperial County and East Los Angeles.

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Who is eligible to participate in UniversityLink?

Students in their senior year of high school or in their first fall term at the community college can submit their UniversityLink agreement to UCSD.  Students must graduated from a feeder high school into UCSD.  Students must attend a community college to complete the academic and program requirements prior to transferring to UCSD.

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What do I do to become a UniversityLink participant?

At Palomar College, you must register by completing an application for admission to Palomar College and enroll in Counseling 101, Transfer Success, during your first fall term in college.  Your UniversityLink agreement will be submitted to UCSD upon completion of the course.

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What are the requirements of the program?

There are academic requirements and program requirements.

Academic requirements:

• Earn 60 UC transferable semester units

• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all UC transferable couses

• Complete the "Seven Course Pattern"

  • 2 English Composition courses

  • 1 transferable math course

  • 4 transferable courses covering two of the following three disciplines – Arts & Humanities; Social and Behavioral Sciences; Natural Sciences

Program requirements:

• 1 appointment per semester with a community college counselor

• 1 appointment with the UCSD representative for Palomar College (optional)

• Attend fall and spring semester UniversityLink program meetings at Palomar College

•  Enroll in Counseling 101, Transfer Success

• Attend a UC application workshop through the Transfer Center during fall (optional)

• Participate in a UCSD campus visit (optional)

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What are the benefits to being a UniversityLink student?

Ø    As a UniversityLink student, you get invited to special programs like the Medical Science Program.   Best of all, the Medical Science program is FREE!  UCSD pays the cost of the four-week academic activities and your campus room and board expenses.

Ø    In addition to one-on-one academic counseling, workshops for transfer success, and meeting UCSD students, you are guaranteed admission into UCSD as long as you meet the above requirements.  And because both IGETC* meets the Seven Course Pattern and CSU lower division GE, you can have guaranteed admission into UCSD and still keep your options open for other UC’s and CSU’s!  *IGETC isn’t always appropriate for all majors at all UC’s and CSU’s.  Speak to your counselor for more detailed information.

Ø   Because you agree to have a 3.0 minimum GPA and are interested in UCSD, you do not have to compete with other student’s GPA’s for admission, which can raise the average minimum GPA to above 3.5.

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What are the differences between UniversityLink and TAG?

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What's the process of actually transferring to UCSD for UniversityLink students?

Ø    Through the UniversityLink program, a student can only apply for the fall quarter. So, this means that the student must complete all the program requirements by the spring term prior to the fall quarter.  Requirements may NOT be completed in the summer before transfer.

Ø   UniversityLink students need to send in an application to the UC system online at www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply like any other student.  Students are still required to complete a personal essay.  The filing period is November 1-30 of the year before the fall quarter the student wants to enter UCSD.  For example, if a student wants to go to UCSD in Fall 2014, that student would need to apply November 1-30, 2013.  During the time of application, requirements do not need to be completed.  To reiterate, UniversityLink requirements must be completed by the spring term prior to transferring to UCSD; therefore, coursework may be in progress or planned during the application process.

**There may be additional deadlines or applications such as IGETC Certification.   Meet with a counselor for further details on transferring. 

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For further information please contact:

Last Updated 06/12/2012