How to Mix Breadth with IGETC

Usually when a transfer student is pursuing studies at a California community college (CCC) he or she chooses one general education path — either breadth or IGETC — depending on which is a better fit with the intended major.  However, in rare instances, the student may get hit with a dilemma.

In the case of Haas School of Business, the school demands breadth and will not accept IGETC. In fact, Haas has a robust 11-course breadth path that is extremely precise. Most students who apply to Haas also apply to other UCs, and since few UCs offer business, the other majors are along the lines of economics or political science, often in the College of Letters and Science. Those majors usually prefer IGETC.  In fact, IGETC usually makes you more competitive.

So what do you do?

There is an easy answer. You pursue both GE paths simultaneously.

Every CCC has an IGETC course list and a breadth course list. The IGETC list has significantly more course options than breadth and this is where you need to tread carefully. Since most breadth courses overlap into IGETC, you simply fulfill your IGETC areas by grabbing the breadth courses that cross-populate. So, yes, your pickings are a bit limited, but you will end up with both IGETC and breadth completed. (Actually, you aren’t required to complete the Haas breadth before you apply; you simply need to get the ball rolling.)

EXAMPLE: UC Santa Barbara English course list at College of San Mateo:

Breadth:
English 100
English 105
English 110
English 165

IGETC:
English 100
English 105
English 110
English 135
English 165
Sosc 111

How to fill out the UC application

When it comes time to apply in November, within the UC application, check the box indicating you will have completed IGETC by spring (assuming you will). That way the other majors have that information and you’re competitive. Then add a note to Haas in the Additional Comments that you have fulfilled their breadth requirements. Don’t worry about another UC seeing that you have applied to Haas. They can already see you applied to multiple UCs, and since Haas is so hard to get into, it won’t impact their decision-making.

There you have it. This applies in any other circumstance where you might want to mix GE paths.