Getting Started at a Community College

Enroll

The enrollment process for a community college is simple. Most community colleges have moved their enrollment application online to make it more accessible to students interested in enrolling. Simply google the name of the community college you intend to attend and fill out their enrollment forms. There is no essay required. The California community college system has even created one central enrollment application for all community colleges in the beautiful golden state. After you complete the enrollment application, look for a verification email from the community college confirming that they have received your application.

The Matriculation Process

Many community colleges have a matriculation process you must complete after enrollment. The matriculation process is a continuation of your enrollment that is designed to assist you in reaching your educational goal. Most community colleges will give students going through the matriculation process a checklist that they must get stamped or initialed as they complete the process. A complete checklist is then usually required to receive a registration date.

• Placement Tests: The placement test is generally a first step in the matriculation processes of most community colleges. Because students attending community colleges have very different educational backgrounds, you will be required to take placement tests in math and English. Your scores on the placement tests will help the college can measure your math and English skills so the college can help you pick the right classes. Contact your community college for more information on the placement testing contact your community college may have monthly designated dates for testing or it may offer testing every day. Appointments are usually required for both. It is important to brush up on your math skills if you are taking your placement test after the summer of if you have not taken math in a long time. Your placement test score will determine what level of math class you will start your community college journey at. If you have taken pre-calculus but have forgotten some of your trigonometry identities essential to doing pre-calculus problems, for example, it may be wise to look through your old pre-calculus book and study some problems. You do not want to find yourself placed in an advanced algebra class if you truly understand pre-calculus and belong in a calculus class.

• Orientation: Although some colleges may not require orientations, most colleges offer them and it is highly recommended that you attend. Taking an orientation of the new school you will be attending will help give you a general idea of how the campus is organized, where the different facilities are, and what types of programs and services are offered. Having taken an orientation will also be useful on your first day of classes. You will feel less lost and it will help you navigate your way around the campus more easily.

• Meet With a Counselor: The first step you must take prior to meeting your counselor is to schedule an appointment. Many students neglect to make an appointment after their placement tests and/or orientation and find themselves with no way to meet with counselor and unable to complete the matriculation process. The importance of remembering to schedule an appointment to meet with a counselor cannot be stressed enough because you will not receive a registration date if you do not complete the matriculation process. Having no registration date means there is no time slot scheduled for you to get your classes. Meeting with a counselor may be the most important step in the matriculation process. Meeting with a counselor is important because a counselor will help give you guidance in choosing your classes for your first semester. The counselor will look through your placement test results and will make recommendations for classes you may want to take based on your educational goals. Meeting with a counselor will also give you an opportunity to get answers for specific questions regarding the transfer of AP credits, which prerequisite courses to take for your major, which general education courses must be completed to transfer/graduate, etc. You may also want to ask your counselor about creating a student educational plan.

Registration Date

You should report to the Admissions and Records office of your community college once you have completed the matriculation process. Turn your matriculation checklist or any other forms necessary so you can receive your registration date. Your registration date, as mentioned before, is the time slot designated for you to register for classes.  Your college will either mail you information about your registration date or email you your registration date. Although your registration date and time is the earliest you can register for classes and it is possible to register afterward, it is important to register for classes as early as you can. Many community college classes are filling up quickly because of budget cuts so you may not get the classes you want if you neglect to register on time.

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Tags: CCC Apply, college admission, community college, Community College Admission, Community College Application, Community College Enrollment, enrollment, matriculation, Matriculation Process, Orientation, Placement Tests, Registration Date, SEP