Skip to content
  • Home > Prepare for UC > Getting started

    • Getting started

    Undergraduate admissions

    We want you to succeed at UC. That’s why it’s important to think about your two options for applying: As a freshman or junior-level transfer student. Make sure to contact our campus admissions staff who can help you determine which option is right for you.

    YOU'RE A FIRST-YEAR APPLICANT IF:

    • You graduated from high school but have not enrolled in a regular (non-summer) session at a college or university.
    • You've completed college courses during high school (through summer after graduation).

    A few quick benefits to keep in mind: 

    • ROTC scholarship opportunities: If you're a cadet in the ROTC program, you may qualify for specialized scholarships to help cover the cost of your education.
    • Support for your service: Your military commitments always come first. That’s why all UC campuses actively support and facilitate leaves of absence for deployment and training, ensuring your education is ready and waiting for you whenever you return.

    Learn more about first-year admissions

    YOU'RE A TRANSFER APPLICANT IF:

    • You’ll be viewed as a transfer applicant if you have enrolled in a regular term (fall, winter, or spring) at a college or university after graduating from high school. Just a quick heads-up: taking a class or two during the summer term immediately following your high school graduation won’t automatically bump you into the transfer category.

    A few quick benefits to keep in mind: 

    • The Most Common Path: You'll be in great company—the vast majority of our student veterans started their journey at a California community college before transferring to a UC.
    • Maximizing your benefits: Depending on your unique situation and financial aid options, it might be worth considering postponing the use of your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. Saving them for later in your academic career (like graduate school or more expensive upper-division terms) can sometimes help you get the absolute most out of your hard-earned entitlements.

    Learn more about transferring to UC

    Starting at community college

    Community college is a good way to get ready for UC. We give California community college students first priority over other transfer applicants, and community college can offer you a solid foundation in classes you’ll need for your bachelor’s degree. Even if you're not yet ready to apply, there are steps you can take now to prepare:

    • Talk with your college counselor about what courses to take

      It’s a good idea to meet with a counselor or adviser during your first term to figure out your interests and education goals. Based on these, your adviser can help you decide what courses to take to prepare for UC.

    • Learn about UC’s transfer process

      Our admissions website will help you learn all the steps you'll need to take — and when — to be considered for UC admission.  You can also find out what financial aid is available to you and how it works with your benefits.

    • Stay on track with UC’s Transfer Admissions Planner (UC TAP)

      Once you’ve started planning your classes, you can start entering them into UC TAP – a tool that tracks your progress toward meeting UC admission requirements.  It can also serve as your application for the UC Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG), a program that offers guaranteed admission for well-prepared transfer students.

    Taking the next step: Graduate opportunities at UC

    If you’re looking to advance your career, dive deeper into your field, or pivot to a new profession, our graduate programs offer an incredible place to do it. Just like our undergraduate community, UC graduate division programs are deeply committed to supporting veterans and military-connected students as they transition into high-level research, leadership, and professional roles.

    As you start exploring your options for master’s or doctoral programs, here are a few things to keep in mind:

    • A Support Network Built for You: Balancing graduate school with life can be a lot, but you won't do it alone. Every UC campus has dedicated graduate student support services, veteran resource centers, and military-connected networks to help you find your community and thrive.
    • Maximizing Your Benefits: Graduate tuition and fees work a bit differently than undergraduate costs. Our financial aid offices and veteran benefit coordinators are here to help you navigate how your Post-9/11 GI Bill, Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship, or other military benefits can best be applied to your specific program.
    • Flexible Paths for Your Goals: Whether you are looking for a full-time, research-heavy Ph.D. or a flexible, part-time professional master's degree while you continue working, we offer a wide range of programs designed to fit your unique timeline and career ambitions.

    Ready to see what's next? We recommend reaching out directly to the graduate admissions coordinator for the specific program you're interested in—they can give you the inside track on application requirements, funding opportunities, and fee waivers for military service members.

    Learn more about grad school at UC