A Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) is exactly what it sounds like: meet a campus’s defined requirements and your admission is guaranteed. For community college students, TAG is one of the most powerful tools available, and it is underused because of its early, separate deadline.
Which UCs offer TAG?
Six UC campuses offer TAG: UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, and UC Santa Cruz. The three most selective campuses, UCLA, UC Berkeley, and UC San Diego, do not offer TAG.
How TAG works
- Each campus sets its own TAG terms: a minimum GPA, required courses, and unit thresholds.
- You can hold only one TAG at a time, so choose your campus strategically.
- Some majors are excluded from TAG at some campuses, often the most impacted ones, so confirm your major is eligible.
- TAG complements the regular application. You still apply normally to other campuses in November.
The deadline that trips people up
The TAG application is submitted September 1 to 30, the fall before you transfer, roughly two months before the regular UC application window. Miss September and you miss the guarantee, even if you would have qualified. Plan your TAG GPA and coursework a full year ahead.
Frequently asked questions
Which UC campuses offer TAG?
UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, and UC Santa Cruz. UCLA, UC Berkeley, and UC San Diego do not offer TAG.
Can I submit more than one TAG?
No. You may hold only one TAG at a time, so pick the campus where you both want to go and reliably meet the terms.
When is the TAG deadline?
The TAG application is filed September 1 to 30, the year before you transfer, well before the November UC application period.