Jumping into college life may feel like freefalling from a great height, especially if you’re straight out of high school — but there’s really no reason to hesitate. When you have the guidance of Golden West College (GWC) in Huntington Beach, California, your landing into the next stage of your educational journey softens — all thanks to dedicated faculty, a personalized curriculum, and extracurricular fun.

GWC’s 122-acre campus in the coastal “Surf City” is home to over 11,000 students, 70 degree programs, and diverse learning pathways. It allows you to explore your interests through academics and beyond, and truly find your niche. Founded in 1965, it’s among the top community colleges in California state, providing a clear and supported transfer route to four-year institutions, with a strong commitment to student success and equity.

“My admission process to UCLA was blissful thanks to the help of the Transfer Student Center and International Student Program”

Part of what makes transferring from GWC to a four-year institution seamless is its connections to top universities in California, and beyond. At the GWC Transfer Center, resources and services are provided for you to navigate which transfer pathway and major suits your career goals best.

Through the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program, you will easily progress to one of six participating University of California (UC) campuses: UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, UC Santa Cruz, UC Riverside, and UC Merced. Through the Associate Degrees for Transfer program, you’d be guaranteed admission to a California State University (CSU) campus instead, like CSU Long Beach.

Transfer smoothly with support

Hear from the students