Common Application

1. Research Transfer Campuses: Check each campus website to research minimum transfer requirements, required major preparation courses, and the campus-specific application steps, timelines, and deadlines. 
2. Become Familiar with the Common App: After creating your Common App for Transfer account, the first thing you should do is get acquainted with the application and all the information you can find there. The Common App Youtube Transfer Applicant Tutorials will guide you through the different parts of the application and get you acquainted with the system.
3. Add programs (transfer colleges) to your list: ​A good place to get started with your application is by adding the programs you want to apply to. Use the Add Program page to search for different programs using criteria that are important to you. To add a program, simply click the plus sign icon. 
4. Review requirements for EACH campus: ​As you begin adding programs to your application and start getting organized, it's important to review each program's specific requirements. Are there prerequisites? Do you need to include a full transcript? Which documents are required by each campus? Will you need to submit high school exam scores like the SAT or ACT?
5. Gather materials: ​It's important to gather any materials you might need as you complete your application, such as standardized test scores, a list of your achievements, and your transcripts. Having these materials on hand will make things quicker and easier when you begin your application. 
6. Learn about Recommenders: ​Each college or university determines whether they require a recommender to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf. Check with your program to determine their recommendation requirements.
7. Stay on top of deadlines: ​On the Submit Application page, you can sort your programs by the deadline so you can prioritize and organize your work.

Overview

1. Academic History: this section will indicate which schools require a transcript sent directly to the Common App.
2. Program Materials: this section will indicate whether each college or university selected requires a transcript sent directly to that campus. 

Sending Transcripts to The Common Application

In the Academic History section of the Common Application, you will see a box that lists what type of transcripts are required for each program. Campuses may require an unofficial or official transcript to be submitted to the Common Application.

• Unofficial Transcripts to Common App: Simply upload your unofficial transcript by selecting "upload" next to "unofficial transcript." You can access your OCC unofficial transcript in your MyCoast portal under the "My Records" tab. 
• Official Transcripts to Common App: This process is a little more complicated, so we've made a step-by-step guide. 

Transcripts sent to the Common App can be accessed by multiple colleges. Therefore, only one transcript needs to be sent to Liaison/Common Application. Make sure you submit transcripts separately from each college you have attended.

Important: These instructions are for sending transcripts to the Common Application. While some colleges may use this feature, other colleges may want transcripts sent directly to their admissions offices. See the section below for instructions. 

Sending Transcripts to College/University Campuses

If...

1. The colleges ask for transcripts to be sent immediately: order transcripts ASAP on MyCoast. You will probably be asked to send another transcript with the final grades for this semester.
2. The colleges ask for transcripts to be sent with your final grades: pre-order transcripts on MyCoast and mark "After final grades are posted". Final grades are typically posted in mid-January for Fall and mid-June for Spring. The suggested pre-order date for Fall Transfer is the 1st week of May and for Spring Transfer the 1st week of December. 

How to order Official OCC Transcripts

Instructions for Students

Submit a Request - What You'll Need

1. Recommenders Contact Information: Recommenders first & last name and email address.
2. Due Date: Be sure to give recommenders plenty of time to complete your request! We recommend 3-4 weeks.
3. Personal Message/Notes: This is optional however it is a good idea to deliver a personal message with a deadline date for each recommender.
4. Once you submit: Your recommender will receive an email invitation to complete the recommendation.
5. Status Check: ​A status check is available within Common App to monitor the status of your recommendations.  The status will read “Requested,” “Accepted,” or “Complete.” It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure recommendations are received on time. Common App will not notify applicants of missing recommendations.

Before you begin, please note that this form is optional at a majority of Common Application schools in CA. Be sure to check each school’s admissions website (not just the Common Application) to learn whether or not this form is required. 

If Required:

Review our step-by-step guide on the How to Complete the College Report

To Request Coalition Application Transfer Report:

• Email the Coalition Application Transfer Report to the OCC Transfer Center, transfercenter@occ.cccd.edu and in your email request include :
  • Subject: "Coalition Application Transfer Report Request" 
  • OCC Student ID number
  • Coalition Application Transfer Report Attachment- complete the top applicant section 
  • Tell us where do we need to send the form to. 
    • If you are requesting the form is sent back to you, then make sure you do not waive your FERPA waiver. It will then be your responsibility to upload your form. 
    • If the college(s) requires the form to be sent directly to them include campus names and email address(es) of campus(es) and make sure you waive your FERPA waiver. 

• This form will route from the Transfer Center to the Dean of Students Office and back to the Transfer Center for final signature prior to being emailed.  Please allow up to two weeks for this routing process.