1. SAN DIEGO’S COMMUNITY COLLEGES

2. SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT Mesa College Right by Kearny City College Downtown, 10 minutes away Miramar College Mira Mesa, 15 minutes away

3. OTHER COMMUNITY COLLEGES Grossmont College In El Cajon, 15-20 minutes away Cuyamaca College In Rancho San Diego, 25 minutes away Southwestern College In Chula Vista, 25 minutes away Palomar College San Marcos, 35 minutes away

4. STEP 1: APPLY FOR ADMISSION Application deadline for Fall is usually early July (SD Community College District) For Spring 2014: November 6 Apply online Declare your major Provide your College Student Identification (CSID) Number

5. STEP 2: TRANSCRIPTS Transcripts only needed if you have coursework at another college or university Must be official (in sealed envelope) Not submitted electronically

6. STEP 3: APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID Start with FAFSA Board of Governors (BOG) waiver – offered with SD Community College District Based on income, students do not have to pay fees for classes Scholarships

7. STEP 4: VIEW THE ORIENTATION Online Form to fill out – turn this in when you take the placement test

8. STEP 5: TAKE PLACEMENT TESTS You must take a placement test in English and math Exceptions: Score of 500 or better on SAT English Score of 560 of better on SAT Math Passing score on the EAP (taken at the end of the math and English STAR tests your junior year) Based on your scores, you will start in college English and math classes or have to take remedial classes

9. STEP 6: DEVELOP SEP Student Education Plan Lays out the courses you will take during your time at the community college Your responsibility to review your SEP with a counselor

10. STEP 7: REGISTER Get your registration date and time Register as soon as possible after that time Pay your fees (if applicable)

11. CLASSES Fall semester: mid-August to mid-December Spring semester: mid-January to late May Summer session: late May to early August Usually classes meet: One day a week for 3 hours Or: Two days a week for 1 ½ hours

12. FEES All community colleges in San Diego County: $46 per unit Classes are usually 3 or 4 units $138-184 per class For 3 or 4 classes: $414-$736 per semester Health fee: $19 per semester Books: $200+ per semester Parking: $35

13. ACADEMIC PROGRAMS Mesa College City College Miramar College Full list of all SD Community College District progams You can take classes at more than one community college at the same time

14. FOR-PROFIT COLLEGES Beware! These are schools like FIDM, ITT Tech, Coleman College, Marinello School of Beauty, etc. Community Colleges usually offer the same courses at a significantly better price!

15. TRANSFERRING At Mesa, City, and Miramar: called the Transfer for Success Program Offers guaranteed admission at some CSU and UC schools Each community college has a transfer center Plan far in advance

16. TAG PROGRAM Transfer Admissions Guarantee program for UC: UC Davis UC Irvine UC Santa Barbara UC Riverside UC Santa Cruz TAG for SDSU: only for certain majors

17. EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Sports Student organizations Associated Student Government Honors Program Study abroad

18. MORE INFORMATION Check out the community colleges’ websites! Also: don’t forget to ask your parents for their 2012 tax returns for the FAFSA (bring to class on Thursday)