Transfer Center

Fast Track

What is Fast Track?

Fast Track is a program designed for students to begin attending Pasadena City College while still in high school.  Students follow a structured format of courses that, upon successful completion of the courses, accelerates transfer from PCC to a four-year college or university in advanced class standing by one or more semesters. 

Benefits of the FAST TRACK program:

Admission to four-year colleges and universities is growing increasingly competitive and early educational planning is crucial to success. 

The FAST TRACK program offers students

• Accelerated transfer from Pasadena City College to baccalaureate granting institutions
• Financial savings by satisfying general education and lower division requirements at PCC
• Free enrollment fees
• Continuing student registration status
• Scholarship opportunities
• Participation in university sponsored events

What courses are taken in Fast Track?

As a Fast Trackstudent, you will enroll in courses that focus on satisfying general education requirements for the University of California and California State University.  Many of these courses will also satisfy the general education requirements at independent colleges and universities. 

General Education courses (also called GE or General Ed) are courses all students must complete.  General Education courses must be satisfied over several disciplines (a discipline is an academic program). These disciplines include

• Written Communication and Critical Thinking
• Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning
• Arts and Humanities
• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Physical and Biological Sciences
• Language other than English (UC Requirement only)
• Proficiency equivalent to two years of high school study in the same language.  Copy of high school transcripts must be submitted for IGETC Certification.
• United States History, Constitution, and American Ideals (CSU & AA Requirement Only)
• Oral Communication (CSU Requirement Only)
• Health Education (AA only)

Upon graduation from high school, you will enroll full time at PCC to complete remaining lower division requirements (Lower Division courses, also referred to as major preparation courses, satisfy the requirements for the major for which the student plans to earn the bachelor’s degree) and transfer to a baccalaureate granting institution at junior standing. In the Fast Track program, most students will usually enroll in these courses after completing general education requirements and prior to transferring to a four-year institution.  Your Fast Track counselor will identify develop an educational plan for you that will include these requirements.

Minimum eligibility for Fast Track:

High School sophomore with the following:

• 3.0 G.P.A.
• Eligibility for English 100 or English 33B as determined by the PCC assessment process
• Completion of first year algebra with minimum grade of B grade earned

How to get started:

Submit the following materials to PCC’s Admissions Office:

• The PCC admission application
• The “Recommendation for Admission of Selected Students” form
• Copy of high school transcript
• Phone the Degree & Transfer Center at (626) 585-7287 to notify that your materials have been submitted to admissions

Upon notice that you’re your materials have been submitted to admissions, the Fast Track staff will confirm processing of your application and contact you regarding an appointment with the Fast Track counselor.

Thank you for your interest in Pasadena City College!

 We look forward to starting your bachelor’s degree at PCC!

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Revised February 2, 2006 by dmchase@pasadena.edu