There are a couple of threads on this topic, but I couldn’t find a definitive answer. Except for Biological Science and Ethnic Studies, my son has completed the rest of the requirements - combining CC and AP credits. He can get the remaining done in Spring and Summer of next year.
He has taken CC courses at 4 different colleges, because of availability and convenience. We made sure that the courses are UC/CSU transferable and also satisfy IGETC.
Question 1:
There is no guarantee that he will manage the next 2 courses at the same CC. IN that case, which college will issue the IGETC certificate? What is the exact process?
Question 2:
Is there any example that someone was able to use the certificate successfully as a freshman?
The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) is a series of courses that California community college students can complete to satisfy most freshman/sophomore-level general education requirements before transferring to UC. IGETC | UC Admissions.
UC also says
You’re a first-year (or freshman) applicant if you’re currently in high school, OR you’ve graduated from high school, but haven’t yet enrolled in a regular session (fall, winter, spring) at a college or university. Freshman requirements | UC Admissions.
Since IGETC is for students transferring to UC and your son is not going to be a transfer applicant it doesn’t sound like IGETC can be used. But I’m not in UC admissions, best to check directly with them and get it in writing.