6 Steps to Enroll in Community College - Irvine College Tutor

6 Steps to Enroll in Community College - Irvine College Tutor Tips from an Irvine College Consultant: 6 Steps to Enroll in Community College Tips from an Irvine College Consultant: 6 Steps to Enroll in Community College California has an excellent community college system where students can get an AA/AS (associates) degree, an educational or professional certificate or transfer to a four-year university to earn a bachelors degree. Many students will opt for the California community college system for any number of reasons. It offers high-quality professors and instructors, more affordable fees and tuition, and several campuses throughout the state. Many students dont know how to enroll in a community college, and it may prevent them from getting started on time. Students who will be choosing this path are encouraged to follow these tips to get signed up for fall term. 1. Enroll early Community College has continued to be a popular option for college freshmen for years. This means that spaces fill up fast, and many students get shut out if they sign up too late. In California, any student with a high school diploma will have the opportunity to attend a community college; however if they miss the deadline they will have to wait another semester or even a year. Enrollment doesn’t mean simply waiting in line to fill out a card so one can sign up for classes; rather its a multi-step process. Students are encouraged to visit the community college website of their choice under the prospective students tab and make sure they meet each deadline (READ: 5 things to do before you go away to college). . 2. Determine your desired workload At a community college students are not required to take a specific workload of classes. Students who work full or part time may only take a couple of classes each term while some students will take as many as five classes in an attempt to graduate or transfer on time or early. Most full time students will take four classes per term, however, its important for students to look at how many hours they will be working as well as any specific issues they may have so they can sign up for the desired number of classes. 3. Make an appointment with an academic or career counselor Probably the most important thing that the majority of community college students fail to do is make an appointment with an academic or career counselor ASAP. These career counselors are in high demand, and most of them have a months long waiting list. Students who dont make an appointment early on will have to choose their first semester classes unaided. This can lead students to take classes they didnt really need or take courses that only count for the university system they dont wish to attend. These are both great ways to spend more money and graduate late. Make that first appointment today! 4. Take any necessary matriculation exams Because California community colleges don’t require a specific admittance package, they require new students to take matriculation exams. These are exams in math and English to determine a students current skill level. If the student passes the matriculation exams, they can go straight into math and English courses that transfer to a four-year university. If they don’t pass these exams they will need to take a prerequisite course. Students who will be applying to a certificate or professional program are encouraged to investigate any exams needed for their specific program. Students who don’t take these exams on time will have to wait until the next semester or year thus delaying their transfer (READ: Orange County College Tutor: The Modern College Experience: One Size Doesnt Fit All). 5. Sign up for required prerequisites Students who need to take prerequisites (usually math, English, foreign language, or study skills) will need to sign up for these classes before taking transfer level courses. New students are encouraged to sign up for these classes as soon as they can so they can move on to courses that transfer to a four year university. 6. Familiarize yourself with your chosen campus In California, students are not required to attend the community college in the city they live in. Students who want to live independently or have a feeling of something new can attend any number of colleges within the CC system. However, it’s important that students familiarize themselves with the campus they have chosen. This is especially true for students who have moved up or down the state to a new city. Some community college campuses are just as big as a small university and can feel overwhelming the first time a student steps on campus. New students are encouraged to take a tour or visit the campus over the summer so theyre not overwhelmed the first day of fall term. Dont go it alone! Our experienced private Irvine college consultants are here to help. Call us today for details. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.