Congratulations on taking the next step in your college journey! College applications can seem confusing at first, but applying to Degrees+ is designed to be simple. And our Enrollment Counselors are here for you every step of the way. 

To apply for Degrees+, first submit the online application (this takes about 15 minutes). Then, Outlier will collect some official documents to complete your application and send it over to Golden Gate University for you. Review the chart below to see what documents you might need, and click the document type for more information.  

Overview

Application Documents

Statement of Purpose

All applicants submit a Statement Of Purpose (SOP) as part of the online application. Your SOP briefly describes how you are academically prepared for an associate degree program. In 200-500 words:

• Describe how the Degrees+ program fits your plans for the future
• Explain any weaknesses that may appear on your transcript
• Highlight any strengths that may not be evident elsewhere in your application

Don’t overthink this exercise—it’s not a writing test! Simply respond to the 3 points above. Focus on writing clearly and concisely. We’re looking for you to give us a glimpse of who you are, where you’re coming from, and where you’re headed.

Transcripts

College or University Transcript

An official college/university transcript is required if you have:

• 12 or more credits from an accredited college or university
• Any college credits you want to transfer in

Official transcripts are used to help determine your acceptance and how many transfer credits you’re eligible for.

GGU will accept unofficial transcripts with a GPA of 2.0 or higher as part of your initial application, in the interest of saving you time and getting you an admissions decision faster, but you’ll need to be sure to follow up and submit your official transcript within 1 week of your admission decision.

You have 2 options for submitting your official transcripts:

1. Have Outlier request your transcripts for you: You can select this option on your online application; this will give Outlier permission to contact each school on your behalf.
2. Request your transcripts yourself: Contact your school’s Registrar’s Office to ask them to send your official transcript directly to Outlier.

High School Transcript

An official high school transcript is required if you are a high school graduate with less than 12 college credits

These alternatives are also accepted:

• GED (General Education Development exam)
• CHSPE (California High School Proficiency Examination)

GGU will accept unofficial transcripts with a GPA of 2.5 or higher as part of your initial application, in the interest of saving you time and getting you an admissions decision faster, but you’ll need to be sure to follow up and submit your official transcript within 1 week of your admission decision.

You have 2 options for submitting your transcripts:

1. Have Outlier request your transcripts for you: You can select this option on your online application; this will give Outlier permission to contact your high school on your behalf.
2. Request your transcripts yourself: Contact your school’s Registrar’s Office to ask them to send your official transcript directly to Outlier.

U.S. Military Transcript

A Joint Services Transcript (JST) or Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript is not required for admission to Degrees+. It’s strongly recommended for U.S. military service members or veterans to:

• Unlock extra financial aid that is available only to military-affiliated students
  Earn college credits for military service and training
• Transcripts should be submitted within 1 week of admission to Degrees+.

You have 2 options:

1. Have Outlier request your CCAF transcript for you: You can select this option on your online application, and Outlier will request these documents on your behalf. (Note: Outlier can’t order a JST on your behalf. You’ll have to request it yourself and have it sent directly to Outlier.)
2. Request your transcripts yourself: Submit an online request for your official transcript to be sent directly to Outlier
   • Request your JST
   • Request your CCAF transcript

International Transcript Requirements

Official transcripts are required for all international students applying to Degrees+.

GGU will accept unofficial transcripts with a GPA of 2.0 or higher as part of your initial application, in the interest of saving you time and getting you an admissions decision faster, but you’ll need to be sure to follow up and submit your official transcripts within 1 week of your admission decision.

Contact your school’s Registrar’s Office to ask them to send your official transcript directly to Outlier. Official transcripts must be in English—translated either by the school or a certified translator.

If you don’t see your country below, don’t worry, you can still apply! Contact us to learn what documents will be required for your application.

How to Submit Official Transcripts

In the interest of speed, official transcripts should be sent directly from your previous institution to Outlier (though if you already have official transcripts with you, you may send them to the address below). When you request your transcripts, be sure to include this contact information:

1. Electronic delivery (preferred):
   transcripts@outlier.org
2. Physical mail:
   Outlier.org
   c/o Golden Gate University
   Office of Admissions
   536 Mission Street
   San Francisco, CA 94105-2968

Language Proficiency Exam Scores

You will need to show proficiency in the English language if:

• English is not your native language
• Your primary residence is not in an English-speaking country

Golden Gate University accepts the following exam scores for admission:

*IELTS/TOEFL Home Edition is also accepted

Whichever exam you choose, you can submit your scores in your online application.

Alternative options:

If you completed 2 English language writing courses (equivalent to GGU’s English 1A and 1B) at an accredited U.S. college or university with a B+ or higher, you can submit an official college transcript instead.

If you graduated from a high school in the United States, you can submit your official high school transcript instead.

If you have 5 or more years of professional work experience in the U.S., you can submit a resume instead.

Questions

If you have any questions about the documents required for your Degrees+ application, contact us at enrollment@outlier.org or 1-510-698-8955. We're here to help!