The Abc’S to Starting at a California Community College

By Bertha Barraza and Shannen Paradero

A Student Handbook with simple, easy, and practical information to help anyone navigate the complicated process of becoming a community college student.
While California Community Colleges (CCC), are expected to serve the community needs, many new students face most of their challenges during the enrollment or registration process. However, not a single book has ever been published before to guide students to navigate through the various steps to enroll at a CCC. Other challenges new students face is their inability to understand the common language, which college employees use on a regular basis and expect new students to understand the terminology. Therefore, each section of this handbook begins with a section of Useful Words, to help potential students familiarize themselves with the words they will be expected to use while in college. This handbook also includes illustrations and videos for those who are visual learners.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 17, 2014
• ISBN: 9781503521605

Bertha Barraza

Miranda Angeles, MA Puente/General Counselor/ Mt. San Jacinto College Born in Mexico Moved to CA at age thirteen Studied at Oceanside HS Graduated from CSUSM, USD Hobbies Dance Read Cook Dr. Bertha Barraza EOPS/Counselor and Professor Mt. San Jacinto College Born in Mexico Moved to CA at age fourteen Studied at Roosevelt HS in LA Graduated from RCC, UCR, USC, UOP Other colleges attended ELAC, IVC, CSU Hobbies Dance Walk Bike Volunteer Alex Cuatok, MA/MS Student Success Coordinator Mt. San Jacinto College Born in Manila, Philippines Moved to CA at age thirteen Studied at San Dieguito HS, PC Graduated from UCSD CSUSM and NU Hobbies Read Travel Walk Bike Monique Salgado Student Fashion Institute Design and Merchandising Born in LA, CA Studied at MSJC/WLAC Graduated from P. H.S. /Joe Blasco Make-up Artist School Current FIDM/LA Student Hobbies Travel Write Fashion Make-up

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Who Can Attend a Community College?

CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGES WELCOMES EVERYONE!

Anyone who is at least eighteen years old can submit a college application; underage students who have a high school diploma, completed a GED or its equivalent can also apply. Current high school students can also attend college concurrently with parent/guardian and high school officials’ approval.

License Vocational Nursing Certificates

Register Nursing Degree or Certificate

Athletes

Moms

High School Students

Veterans

Anyone else who wishes to return to college

English Learners

Senior Citizens

Be of good cheer. Do not think of today’s failures, but of the success that may come tomorrow. You have set yourselves a difficult task, but you will succeed if you persevere; and you will find a joy in overcoming obstacles. Remember, no effort that we make to attain something beautiful is ever lost.

—Helen Keller, American essayist and lecturer

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Why is a California Community College the Right Choice?

A community college is the right choice because it offers:

• Inexpensive education

• Career exploration opportunities

• Financial help, if qualified

• Scholarships: visit the Financial Aid Office in person or online

• Hands-on training

• Career options

• Variety of classes

• Friendly faculty, staff, and student workers

• Adult education, such as English as second language and GED classes

• Vocational certificates for job training

• Associate degrees

• Articulation agreements to transfer to four-year colleges/programs to transfer to four-year college and universities

• Student involvement (through campus clubs and community organizations)

• Individualized resources to help students succeed

BE PROUD to be a community college student!

Watch a video of California Community College graduates on our

Facebook page: The ABC’S to California Community Colleges

A Student’s Story by Elizabeth Bolivar-Mercado San Diego City College (SDCC) Graduate

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Most people attend community colleges because it is the most affordable route, a stepping-stone to a university. Some community colleges have agreements with a local state university, which guarantee entrance transfer to a university in Cal State or transfer into a UC. I went to San Diego Mesa Community College to be an x-ray technician.

At eighteen, I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. I look back and remember my first study buddy, Vicky, in physiology. She was a nurse and was looking to get into the program too. I always had a knack for finding smart and talented people that would help me study and get good grades. With Vicky’s help I got a C+ in that class which otherwise I would have failed. After completing the physiology course, which was a required course to get into program and experience dissecting all sorts of body parts, I realized this wasn’t for me.

The first semester was tough! I got a D in algebra and a B+ in English 51. I did horrible in the placement exam and had to work from the bottom up. You have to believe things happen for a reason, because after a terrible semester, I walked into EOPS and asked for tutoring. I enrolled in the Puente Project.