Transfer as an Academic Pathway: the Benefits of Citrus College

By Dr. Edward C. Ortell, Citrus College Governing Board Member

In early October, many Citrus College students will begin planning for the next stage of their academic journeys by visiting the college's annual Fall Transfer Fair. During the event, approximately 60 colleges and universities will provide information regarding admissions requirements, financial aid options and academic programs to those students interested in pursuing a bachelor's degree after completing their community college education.

The Fall Transfer Fair is just one example of the many transfer services provided by Citrus College. According to the Citrus College Office of Institutional Research, Planning and Effectiveness, the majority of students who enroll at Citrus College indicate that transferring to a four-year college or university is their desired academic pathway. The college assists these students in reaching their goals by providing counseling and advisement, application forums, university representative visits, transfer-related workshops, and more.

Preparing students to transfer is something Citrus College does incredibly well. Over the last decade, the number of students transferring from Citrus College to four-year colleges and universities has increased by more than 50 percent. In addition, the college is ranked fifth in the state for the overall production of associate degrees for transfer (ADTs) and second in the state for the number of ADTs conferred relative to the size of its student body. It seems more and more students have realized that transferring from Citrus College is not only a practical alternative, it is also an incredibly beneficial option.

The most obvious reason for a student to begin their higher education at Citrus College is cost. A student who studies for two years at Citrus College and two years at a California State University (CSU) campus can expect to spend approximately $8,000 less than a student who spends all four years at a CSU. The savings is even more significant when transferring to a University of California (UC) campus – approximately $25,000!

Articulation agreements are another benefit of transferring from Citrus College. The college currently has formal partnerships with numerous public, private and out-of-state universities. At the same time, the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) permits students to transfer to a CSU or UC without needing to take additional lower division general education courses at the university. Because of these partnerships, the four-year institutions agree to accept specific credits earned at Citrus College. In turn, the transfer process is much smoother for the student.

Guaranteed admission to prestigious colleges and universities is also an advantage of a Citrus College education. This guaranteed admission can take two forms: the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program or ADTs. With TAG, Citrus College students can apply and be guaranteed admission to a participating UC campus if they fulfill a series of required courses with a minimum grade point average. The college currently has seven TAG agreements, including six with UC campuses and one with the University of La Verne. Similarly, ADTs provide guaranteed admission and priority consideration to the CSU system.

Throughout the country, an increasing number of students are recognizing that community colleges can be a savvy start to their college educations. According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, nearly half of all students graduating with a four-year degree have had some experience within a two-year institution. In California alone, nearly 51 percent of graduates of the CSU system and 29 percent of graduates of the UC system transferred from a California community college.

For those of us who have dedicated our lives to improving access and increasing college completion rates, these statistics are encouraging. As the Duarte area's representative on the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees, I am proud of the extensive efforts Citrus College has taken to facilitate the transfer goals of its student body. I am confident that the college's progress in this area will continue to impress in the years ahead.