Counseling and Personal Growth

Never been to college? Not sure where to start? Don't worry!

Our Counseling & Personal Growth Department provides support in a safe and confidential space. We want to partner with you in building a road map that will lead to your success. We can help you identify and reach your goals, connect you with the campus community and know what it means to be a successful college student. Here's how:

Help you make a personal connection to San Diego City College, and all the amazing resources available to you.
Encourage you to explore and discover the things that make you unique.
Counsel you on a career and life path that fits you best.
Work with you to develop a plan that will provide you with clear educational guidance.

Watch this - SDCCD Counselors - Here to Help!

You're in charge! What you can do to be successful:

Complete the "Steps to Enroll" if you are new to City College or returning for another go around.

If you are brand new to City - with or without previous college experience, complete the 6 STEPS FOR SUCCESS:

Apply for Admissions: Visit the Admissions Office in room A-241 or submit an application online here.
Apply online for Financial Aid at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Visit the Financial Aid website for more information or stop by room A-270
View and complete the Online Orientation (not required if you have completed an AA degree or higher or if concurrently enrolled in a 4-year institution). *IMPORTANT: Log in as a student with your CSID number (not as a guest). Print the confirmation page or take a screen shot & bring it to your assessment appointment.
Take the English and math assessments (if applicable). Visit the Assessment office in room A-201 or call 619.388.3023 for more information.
Education Planning & Student Success Day: visit the First Year Services website for more information.
Register & pay for classes: Register online using Reg-e: https://studentweb.sdccd.edu/reg-e/

If you are a returning student:

1. Reapply to City College
2. Submit official transcripts from previous colleges (if applicable)
3. Schedule a counseling appointment.

If you are in the military or are a military veteran:

1. Complete the 6 Steps for Success (above)
2. Complete the Steps for New Veteran Students
3. Visit the Military and Veterans website for more information.

Schedule a Counseling Appointment: What are your dreams? We want to get to know you to help you plan for and achieve your greatest dreams. Scroll down for more information and give us a call at 619.388.3540, or stop by room A-366, to schedule an on-campus appointment.

Do you have a "quick" question that requires a short answer? Stop by the Counseling & Personal Growth department during our Quick Questions sessions to briefly (10 minutes maximum) speak with a Counselor.

What's an example of a Quick Question you ask?

1. I need to add another class, what should I take?
2. I completed the prerequisite at another college. Can you clear it?
3. I am a Veteran student, can you approve my courses?
4. I need to submit a petition for graduation.
5. What courses can I take next semester?
6. Where can I get help with registration?

Meeting with a Counselor during a Quick Question session is on a first come, first serve basis. It is not guaranteed when capacity is reached.

If you have a general counseling related question that DOES NOT require access to your personal academic record, you can Ask the E-Counselor at ecounsel@sdccd.edu

Appointment & Quick Question Block Schedule

Check out our block schedule below. YOU decide when it's best to stop by:

Quick Questions: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 9 a.m.

Mondays & Tuesdays:

Appointments	Quick Questions
9 am - 10 am	10 am - 11:30 am
11:30 am - 2:30 pm	2:30 pm - 4 pm
4 pm - 7 pm	6 pm - 7 pm

Wednesdays & Thursdays:

Appointments	Quick Questions
9 am - 10 am	10 am - 11:30 am
11:30 am - 2:30 pm	2:30 pm - 4 pm
4 pm - 6 pm	5 pm - 6 pm

Friday:

Appointments	Quick Questions
9 am - 10 am	10 am - 11:30 am
11:30 am - 2:30 pm	2 pm - 3 pm

Need an Ed Plan?

What is a Student Education Plan or SEP? Your student education plan or SEP, created together with your Counselor, is your road map to meeting Certificate, Associate degree, and/or transfer requirements. There are two types of plans:

Temporary or Abbreviated Education Plan - this is a two-semester plan created during a New Student Education Planning workshop before you start your classes at City College.
Permanent Education Plan - this is the official education plan on file that is created only during a counseling appointment. Together with your Counselor you will create a semester-by-semester road map of your educational journey here at City College.

Do you want the best registration appointment date possible? The education plan is your last step, after completing the Online New Student Orientation and the English and math assessment requirements (if applicable), to complete before the end of your 3rd semester in order to get assigned the best registration appointment date possible as you work towards reaching your academic goal.

Not sure what you want to be when you grow up?

If you are undecided about a career or major and/or need assistance setting an academic goal, stop in and see us for career counseling. We know that students who have an academic plan based on a career goal will usually have an easier time selecting their courses each semester. Career counseling will help you become more self-aware, provide information about the world of work and job clusters, and teach you about the career planning process that includes an review of your interests, skills, and life values.

You may also want to consider taking a Personal Growth 130 class to learn about different majors and careers that best fit a unique individual like you.

Are you stressed?

Come in and talk with us! We will provide you a safe and confidential space for you to talk about your concerns. Together we can help you understand your situation, explore your options, reach a decision, and feel better about coping with life's challenges. If needed, we will refer you to off-campus agencies for more help.

Get the most out of your appointment!

To be eligible for an appointment you need to:

have completed the 6 Steps for Success (see above)
be taking at least one class for the current semester or have previously attended City College.
have all transcripts and/or assessment scores from previous colleges submitted AND evaluated (if applicable).

Bring a list of questions with you to make sure we cover all the information you need during your visit.

To help you generate questions for your appointment and start thinking ahead about your career, we encourage you to review the academic and career resources available to you: