San Juan Hills High School - Community College

Guidance

Community College

It is the recommendation of the SJHHS Guidance Office that any student who plans to attend a community college should meet with their Academic Advisor to establish goals and complete a plan of action to meet those goals. It is also recommended that a student meet with a counselor at the community college upon matriculation to discuss goals for completing certifiicate programs, competing an Associates Degree, or participating in the TRANSFER program to a four year university.

WHO CAN ATTEND A COMMUNITY COLLEGE?

A community college is a good choice for anyone who may want to attend a four-year school later but who is not yet academically, personally or economically ready to begin study at a univeristy. To be eligible to attend a community college, one must be 18 years of age, or possess a high school diploma. In the California Community Colleges, you can work toward an associate (two-year) degree in hundreds of academic and technical fields (which will enable you to transfer to a college or university to complete a baccalaureate degree); or, you can complete a one - or two-year training or certificate program in a choice of occupational fields, various health professions, and/or high-technology job fields.

WHAT IF I WANT TO PURSUE A FOUR-YEAR BACHELOR'S DEGREE BUT ATTEND A COMMUNITY COLLEGE FIRST?

All community colleges offer courses that meet the lower-division (first two years) of a four-year college or university. Counselors in transfer centers and couseling offices at the community colleges can help you plan your community college program to make sure that the courses you select are transferrable. You should also check the requirements of the college or university to which you plan to transfer, especially in your major subject. Many community colleges offer written tranfer guarantee programs to specific universities. This information can be found in the community college transfer center or counseling center.

CAREER EDUCATION VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS

The California Community Colleges can help students get the training needed to qualify for a well-paying job with room for advancement. Career education vocational programs are offered in hundreds of areas that employers need. Areas of vocational (occupational) education include health occupations, electronics and computer sciences, business and finance, agriculture and industrial trades, and many others. Community colleges have up-to-date equipment and facilities and vocational instructors who are experts in their fields. Depending on the occupation you select, training may take from six months to two years. Associate degrees and certificates (shorter-term) programs are available in many fields.

SADDLEBACK COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Degrees and Certicates

Associate of Arts Degrees (2 year degree) - Saddleback College offers 112 AA degrees
Associate of Science Degrees (2 year degree) - Saddleback College offers 92 AS degrees
Certificates - Saddleback College offers 89 certificate programs
Occupational Skills Awards - Saddleback College offers 26 OS Awards

Early Bird Application Process The Early Bird program, for high school seniors planning to attend Saddleback College, offers benefits which include: early application for the fall semester, early matriculation services that will better prepare them for a successful first semester in college, and priority enrollment. Students who wish to particpate should see their Academic Advisor.

Transfer Programs Saddleback College ranks no. 11 out of California's 109 community colleges in the number of students it transfer to the University of California campuses, and the top 20 percent in the number of transfers to the California State University campuses. Saddleback College offers courses that fulfill lower-division general education and transfer major requirements in most areas of study. At Saddleback College you can complete your freshman and sophomore coursework and then transfer to the UC, CSU, or private/independent college of your choice...as a junior!

Honors Program The Saddleback College Honors program gives highly motivated students the opportunity to enhance their collegiate experience and develop superior academic skills. Students who successfully complete the honors program are eligile to apply for guaranteed or preferential admission consideration at the following schools: Azusa Pacific University, Cal State Fullerton, Chapman Univeristy, Occidental College, Pitzer College, Pomona College, UC Irvine, UCLA (College of Arts and Science), UC Riverside and UC Santa Cruz. Successful completion of the honors program will also help open the door to most colleges and universities throughout the state and nation. New students entering from high school should qualify for English IA (college composition) during matriculation testing, and have a 3.25 grade point average in high school.

Certificate Programs Students need only take courses in their field of interest in order to earn an occupatonal certificate from Saddleback College. The number of units required varies from certificate to certificate. A series of specific courses, all related to a particular occupational skill, will result in a certificate which can be helpful in upgrading or securing entry-level employment.

LOCAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE LINKS

Saddleback College -www.saddleback.edu

Irvine Valley College - www.ivc.edu

Orange Coast College - www.orangecoastcollege.edu

Santiago Canyon College - www.sccollege.edu