If you are dreaming of studying in the USA and transferring to a top school, it does not have to stay a dream. Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) can be the first step toward a four-year university, offering a supportive and practical pathway to help students build confidence, prepare for transfer, and move closer to their academic goals.

At SRJC, you do not have to navigate the transfer process alone. You can access support from counselors, advisors, and campus resources designed to help you plan ahead, strengthen your applications, and move closer to your university goals.

Mark Briceno, Outreach Specialist at Santa Rosa Junior College, interviewed Pancy Ti, an international student at SRJC, about her experience applying to the University of California as a transfer student. He asked her about the application process, receiving acceptance offers from several UC campuses, and how she ultimately chose UC Davis, where she will continue her undergraduate studies in biology.

Below are the questions SRJC asked Pancy and her responses in her own words.

Can you describe the process of applying to the University of California (UC) as a transfer student? What parts of the application required the most preparation?

“Thankfully, the UC application uses one submission that can be sent to all nine undergraduate campuses, which makes applying to multiple UCs much quicker. The most time-consuming and stressful part for me was completing the Personal Insight Questions, or PIQs. There are eight possible questions: one required question, and then you choose three from the remaining seven.

My biggest advice for the PIQs is not to do what I did and wait until the final weeks to get started! Starting earlier gives you more time to brainstorm ideas, learn from other students’ experiences on Reddit and TikTok, and take advantage of the support available at SRJC or whatever community college you decide to attend if you are a transfer student like me. I was able to work on my responses with one of our International Student Program counselors, but with better time management, I also could have consulted the SRJC Transfer Center and given myself more access to support. I wish I had not created so much extra stress for myself by waiting until just a few weeks before the application deadline to begin this part.

I felt confident that my application was strong, but I did not account for all the second-guessing and careful thought that went into deciding what to include, which experiences to share, and how to present the strongest possible version of myself to each university.

I ultimately applied to UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Irvine, and UCLA. I was accepted to UC Berkeley and UC Davis, waitlisted at UCLA, and denied admission to UC Irvine. I accepted my offer to UC Davis, and I will be attending this fall to continue my undergraduate studies in biology!

I wanted to share these results not only to close the loop on the academic journey I have shared with Study in the USA, but also because I want other students to know that not getting into one top UC does not mean you will not be accepted by another.”

Pancy’s experience highlights the importance of starting early and using the support available at SRJC. Her story also shows that the transfer process is not only about submitting an application. It is about reflecting on your experiences, choosing which parts of your story to share, and presenting yourself clearly and confidently to each university.

For international students, that support can make a meaningful difference. Pancy was able to work with an International Student Program counselor on her responses, and she also recognized the value of using additional resources like the SRJC Transfer Center.

What was it like to receive acceptance offers from several top UC campuses?

“Well, I knew I was going to get into UC Davis because it was my TAG school. For anyone who is not familiar with TAG, it stands for Transfer Admission Guarantee. UC Berkeley and UCLA do not participate, but most of the other UC campuses do. You can choose one participating campus for TAG, and as long as you meet the required transfer admission criteria, your admission is guaranteed.

Getting accepted to UC Berkeley was a completely different experience. I had already been denied admission to UC Irvine, so when I saw the congratulations email from Berkeley, I freaked out with excitement! It was a really cool moment, even though I ultimately decided to attend UC Davis.”

For Pancy, UC Davis represented a strong transfer pathway through TAG, while her UC Berkeley acceptance was an exciting surprise. Her experience offers an encouraging message for other students: one university decision does not define your future.

Not getting into one top campus does not mean the end of the transfer journey. With preparation, support, and persistence, students can still find the right university fit.

How did you make your final transfer decision, and what was most challenging about choosing between your options?

“UC Berkeley had always been a dream of mine. The campus is incredible, it has a global reputation for excellence, and when I was accepted, I was certain I was going to attend. However, choosing a college is a major decision, so I took my time. I read about the experiences of other students in similar situations on Reddit, talked it over with my family, and gave myself space to think about the best next step while keeping my ultimate goal of becoming a doctor in mind.

My mom also shared a Burmese idiom that really helped me. It does not translate perfectly into English, but the meaning is basically that just because something shines does not necessarily mean it is the right fit for you.

My family back home also wanted to help in their own way, so they held a lucky draw. They placed an equal number of slips for each college into a hat and selected just one. The college they drew was UC Davis! Of course, I did not make such an important decision based only on a lucky draw, but it was a meaningful and memorable moment for my family.

After considering my goals, talking with my family, and taking the time to reflect, I ultimately decided that UC Davis was the best fit for me. I am very excited to live in a great American college town and begin my studies as a biology major next fall!”

Pancy’s decision shows that choosing a university is deeply personal. Rankings and reputation matter, but so do academic goals, family support, personal reflection, and the environment where a student feels they can grow.

For international students, this is an important lesson. The best university choice is not always the one that looks the most impressive from the outside. It is the one that fits your goals, your values, and the future you want to build.

How SRJC Helped Support the Journey

Pancy’s transfer story reflects what many international students look for when choosing where to begin their U.S. education: a strong academic foundation, a supportive community, and guidance for the next step.

At Santa Rosa Junior College, Pancy found support through the International Student Program and access to transfer-focused resources. These helped her prepare for the UC application process, strengthen her Personal Insight Questions, and think carefully about her future.

Her story also shows why starting at a community college can be a powerful option for international students. SRJC gives students a place to adjust to the U.S. education system, build confidence, receive support, and prepare for transfer opportunities at four-year universities.

From SRJC to UC Davis

Pancy’s journey from Santa Rosa Junior College to UC Davis is a reminder that there is more than one pathway to a top U.S. university. For students who are willing to work hard, ask for help, and stay open to where the journey leads, community college can be the beginning of something much bigger.

Through SRJC, Pancy built the foundation that helped her apply to multiple UC campuses, receive acceptance offers from UC Berkeley and UC Davis, and choose the university that felt like the best fit for her goals.

This fall, Pancy will begin her next chapter as a biology major at UC Davis.

And that journey began at Santa Rosa Junior College.

Learn more and apply today