How to Enroll in a California Community College
A Cheap and Affordable Option for California College Students
© John Wu
Jul 17, 2009
At $20 per semester unit, California community colleges are very popular among budget constrained students in the state. The process to enroll is very simple. However, the current state economy and government budget troubles make getting the right classes difficult, especially for new students who have low enrollment priority.
Application for Admissions
The first step is to apply for admissions to the community college. The process is neither competitive nor difficult. Anybody 18 years of age or older is eligible for admissions, including those who do not have a high school diploma or GED. Those who are under 18 years of age and have not completed high school need to contact the college for special forms that need to be signed by the parents as well as a high school guidance counselor.
Assessment Tests
The next step is to take assessment tests in basic skills such as English and math, as well as any placement tests for advanced subjects such as calculus and chemistry. Those who already hold an associates or bachelor's degree do not need to take any basic tests in English and math. If college level classes have been taken that prove equivalency to the tests, they can be used to waive the test requirement.
Matriculation and Orientation
After test results have been received, all California community colleges require students to attend some form of orientation, also known as matriculation. Depending on the college, matriculation may involve a half unit class of eight hours, or a short online orientation. In order to encourage students to complete matriculation, many colleges give a higher enrollment priority to those who finish orientation.
Early Enrollment
It is important to enroll as early as possible, especially given the state budget and economic crisis. For example, Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, CA apologized on its website to many new students who were unable to get any classes during the Summer 2009 semester due to the elimination of 50% of summer course offerings. Even with early enrollment, many new students will find that class availability is scarce. However, all hope is not list. There is still a chance to enroll by crashing the class.
Crashing a Class
This time honored process involves students going to the first day of class and asking for an enrollment code from the professor. With lecture classes, the chances of getting an add code is high. On the other hand, classes that have a fixed number of seating locations such as laboratory science classes are hard to crash. The reason is because the number of laboratory seats are limited due to space and equipment needs. The popularity of recession resistant health majors such as pre-nursing also makes lab science classes very difficult to get.
With perseverance, it is possible to get most of the classes at a California community college. At $20 per semester unit, it is worth the extra troubles even during these difficult times. As students accumulate units at the school, their enrollment priority goes higher, thus making it easier to get the classes necessary to graduate or transfer.
References:
De Anza College Admissions Department.
Mount San Antonio College Admissions and Registration.
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