JUST CALLED UC IRVINE ADMISSIONS: 949-824-6703.
You do not need the 30 semester units from a CCC before TAGing. In fact, the exact comment by the female admissions officer when I asked if non-CCC units count in the 30 needed, was - drum roll - “Of course they count.”
She went on to say they realize ppl may have started elsewhere and they’re fine with it. They want everyone to have an opportunity.
So apologies from @happy2help and @ncalrent for persisting over and over in spreading false info without once ever calling a UC to ask, even with linked evidence to the contrary. I have attached the TAG matrix, which I’ve cited before. In the matrix are phone numbers for all 6 TAG UCs.
Please call them before desseminating wrong info over and over and over. It really isn’t cool. Thx.
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/files/tag-matrix.pdf