Students graduating high school have multiple options when choosing what they want to do after receiving their diploma. They can go straight to a four-year university or join the workforce. They can go to a community college to obtain their associate degree or transfer to a four-year university and earn their bachelor’s degree.
Only one in five community college students in California who plan to transfer will follow through with their plans. According to the California State Auditor, only 20% of community college students transfer to a four-year university.
The nonprofit newsroom Cal Matters cited access issues for students in rural areas. Lassen Community College and Palo Verde Community College have the lowest transfer rates of all community colleges in California.
Other issues concerning the student transfer process in California result from incarceration, distance, and affordability. The closest university to Lassen Community College is 80 miles away. For Palo Verde Community College, only about 1.1% of students were able to transfer successfully in 2021, but about half of the student population is incarcerated due to its proximity to prisons.
The requirements incoming students must meet to transfer to the University of California or California State University systems differ. Some community colleges don’t offer the classes required to transfer. The state audit has recommended that colleges increase the number of counselors to help students transfer.
What does this mean for Las Positas? According to the Las Positas Transfer Center, LPC’s transfer success rate is 46.67% compared to the state’s 37.93%.
LPC’s proximity to various quality four-year colleges and universities in the Bay Area enhances the transfer rankings. Students have a plethora of options, from Cal State East Bay, the University of the Pacific to San Jose State, Santa Clara University, San Francisco State, and UC Berkeley. UC Berkeley, the most prestigious school, is only a 45-minute commute from Livermore.
LPC also offers students four programs: the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT), UC Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) and Transfer Admission Agreements with HBCUs, out-of-state schools, and some private universities.
While the CSU and UC systems function differently, the transfer center provides academic counseling through specific programs tailored to students’ interests.
For example, the UC TAG program offers guaranteed admissions to six of the UC campuses while offering pathways available for students who want to attend UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC San Diego. These programs provide students with many options to find a university that best suits their goals.
These include transfer workshops, academic advising, counseling services and articulation agreements with specific four-year institutions. Additionally, LPC has established a network of transfer alums who can offer guidance and mentorship to current students.
Challenges within the community college system persist for students from rural areas and marginalized backgrounds. Addressing systemic issues such as access, affordability and the complexity of the transfer process can help these students’ ability to pursue higher education. As the state continues to address systemic issues and improve transfer pathways, community colleges like Las Positas can play a crucial role in helping students and ensuring equitable access to higher education opportunities.
