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Jaime Quezada, a music production technology major at San Diego City College, is interested in transferring to San Diego State University. It’s the only university Quezada is applying to.

According to a California state audit, 1 in 5 community college students transfer within four years. One of the biggest reasons cited were differences in requirements between transferring to a UC, CSU or private university.

Erin M. Charlens, Transfer Center coordinator at City College, concurs.

“The CSU’s have a certain route, the UCs have a certain route, private schools have a certain route,” Charlens said in an interview with CTTV. “Figuring out which track to get on early enough so students don’t take classes they don’t need, I think that’s one of the biggest challenges.”

Despite Quezada’s single choice of a university simplifying his process, he finds himself in the Transfer Center often.

“Every time I do something, not just (apply for transfer), I always have questions that can be answered right then and there,” Quezada said. “But if I’m at home, I have nobody.”

In spite of the difficulty, interest in transferring is still high. Last month, San Diego City College hosted a transfer fair designed to connect prospective students to universities of interest on Oct. 15, 2024. According to an email from Charlens, the event was attended by over 500 different students.

Charlens recommends students get started on transferring as soon as possible.

“The earlier, the better. We like to think of transfer and career (centers) as being the very first stop that students make,” Charlens said.

Students can get started by reaching out to or visiting the Transfer Center in the A building.