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:

Select the path that's best for you:

New to City College - with or without previous college experience:
1. Apply for Admissions: Visit the Admissions Office in room A-241 or submit an application online here.
2. Apply online for Financial Aid at www.fafsa.ed.gov (if applicable). Visit the Financial Aid website for more information or stop by room A-270
3. Review 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 student ID number (not as a guest).
4. English & Math course placement (if applicable):
  1. RECENT HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE: Your placement will be based on your answers in the CCCApply application. No other action is required.
  2. NOT A RECENT HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE? Complete the Placement Assistant for English and math course placement. Visit the Assessment office in room A-201 or call 619.388.3023 for more information.
5. Education Planning: attend our workshop to select your first semester classes.
6. Register & pay for classes: log in to your mySDCCD portal. Visit the mySDCCD Support Center for assistance.
Returning student:
1. Reapply to City College
2. Submit official transcripts from previous colleges (if applicable)
3. Schedule a counseling appointment.
Active duty military or military veteran:
1. Complete the steps for "New to City" students 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. To be eligible for an appointment you need to:

be a current, or previously enrolled, student and have attended an education planning workshop
have all transcripts and/or assessment scores from previous colleges submitted AND evaluated (if applicable).

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 1 - 2 semester plan created during a New Student Education Planning workshop before you start your classes at City College.
Permanent or Comprehensive Education Plan - this is the official education plan on file that is reviewed 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 comprehensive education plan is your last step 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!

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:

Degree and certificate programs list
Career Exploration
General Education requirements:
- for the Associate's Degree
- for transfer to the California State University
- for transfer to the University of California
Transfer options

Department Student Learning Outcomes:

Counseling will empower students to maximize their priority enrollment. Students will gain knowledge of the benefits of being fully matriculated.
Counseling will empower students with knowledge of campus resources.
Counseling will empower students by clarifying their career goal.
Provide a user friendly system and process to serve student needs.