Welcome Center

The Welcome Center supports a successful academic, social, and smooth transition into college. We are committed to assisting students by providing them with the support needed to become self-sufficient and complete their first year successfully. This support consists of technicians, counselors, and peer advocates, as well as personalized peer led seminars and events. We hope to cultivate confidence, structure, and self advocacy for students so they may achieve their academic pursuits.

The Welcome Center aims to ensure that all students receive the Ultimate Student Experience by connecting students to resources that promote belonging, wellness, and academic success. Our priority is to connect students with support programs and services needed to maximize their overall experience within our college. From the beginning of our students academic journey, we strive to provide a clear path to obtain equal opportunity for all San Diego City College students.

We aim to create the Ultimate Student Experience by providing one-on-one support with the following services:

• Admission Application
• Financial Aid
• Assistance with the enrollment process
• Referrals to support services and resources available on campus
• Follow-up services:  Educational Plan
• Monthly Events, Seminars, Workshops

Placement assist is a process that is designed to assist students in determining which English or English Language Acquisition (ELAC) and math courses they should start with, specifically identifying milestones (formerly known as skill levels) in these areas.

Placement Assist also helps students in meeting course prerequisites. Students may also meet course prerequisites based on other factors such as English or ELAC and math course completion or other standardized tests.

Students enrolling into the San Diego Community College School District will complete an application for admission (http://apply.sdccd.edu/#apply)

Via your Application for admission (CCCApply) to San Diego City College you will be asked questions to help us assess your skill level in mathematics and English

The Application for admission will ask you for

1. Highest level of English and the grade they received in that course.
2. Highest level of Math and the grade they received in that course.
3. And if you graduated from high school, completed a GED or California High School Proficiency exam (HiSET) within 10 years.

Under some circumstances, some students will be asked take a Placement Assistant ( external from the application for admission to complete your assessment process at San Diego City College ) 

1. If a student is currently enrolled in high school, students will not be asked their HS performance or be directed to Placement Assistant
2. If a student has graduated high school 10+ years ago, the student will be directed to take the Placement Assistant.
3. If a student is in the Continuing Education or an adult learner and they have not graduated from high school, or graduated from high school 10+ years, they will be directed to the Placement Assistant.
4. To request to take the Placement Assistant, please call us at (619) 388-3023 or email us at cityoutreach@sdccd.edu. 

In some circumstances, students responding to specific questions in the application for admission will be prompted to take the ELAC Go Assessment

1. You will be asked  " Are you conformable reading and Writing English? "
2. Student indicating in the Program & Services that they are interested in  ESL English as a Second Language

What San Diego City College Students need to take the Placement Assistant?

Under some circumstances, some students will be asked take a Placement Assistant (external from the application for admission to complete your assessment process at San Diego City college. 

1. If student is currently enrolled in high school, students will not be asked their HS performance or be directed to Placement Assistant
2. If a student has graduated high school 10+ years ago, the student will be directed to take the Placement Assistant.
3. If a student is in the Continuing Education or an adult learner and they have not graduated from high school, or graduated from high school 10+ years, they will be directed to the Placement Assistant.
4. To request to take the Placement Assistant, please call us at (619) 388-3023 or email us at cityoutreach@sdccd.edu. 

If you took college courses while in high school, or applied for San Diego City College, you should request to take the Placement Assistant to update placement milestones from your original placement when you originally applied to San Diego City College.

1. California College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP)
2. Dual Enrollment (taking college classes while you are still enrolled in high school)
3. Joint diploma students
4. If a student has graduated high school 10+ years ago, the student will be directed to take the Placement Assistant.
5. If a student is in the Continuing Education or an adult learner and they have not graduated from high school, or graduated from high school 10+ years, they will be directed to the Placement Assistant.

Get to know ELAC at San Diego City College!

Our ESL program is English Language Acquisition (ELAC), which supports you in your development of academic English. ELAC classes are not basic skills or remedial. They are for students who are multilingual and studying English as a foreign language at intermediate to advanced levels.

The classes you take here will focus on all English communication skills necessary to be successful in college level work as well as how to navigate your way through college in the United States. You can earn transferable credit to CSUs and UCs in our highest level class, ELAC 145.

Visit the ELAC Website Here: https://www.sdcity.edu/academics/schools-programs/arts-humanities-comms/english/elac/

Take the Online Self-Guided Placement

This online self-guided placement will let you know which ELAC classes we recommend you take. If you think the recommended classes are too difficult (placement is too high), you can register for any classes below your level. If you think the recommended classes are too easy (placement is too low), you can contact the ELAC Chair, Jennifer Boots (jboots@sdccd.edu).

Take the placement here: http://www.sdccd.edu/future-students/placement/elac/

More About ELAC Go! 

With a Placement Assist, you will receive a Milestone/Skill level ranging from 30 to 50 in one or more of the following areas:

• Reading (R)
• Writing (W)
• ELAC (English Language Acquisition, formerly known as ESOL) (L)
• Math (M)

Students are exempt from the English and math placement tests if ...

• Earned an Associate degree or higher
• Have completed English and math courses
• Or have received a qualifying score on an SAT, ACT, or EAP test taken within the past two years
• Please note: The San Diego Community College District is no longer accepting EPT or ELM test scores. 

October 16, 2024 Deadline to Appeal Loss of CCPG or Priority Registration

October 16, 2024 Class schedule will be available online 

October 18, 2024 Application deadline for priority registration 

October 24, 2024 Your Spring registration date and time is viewable in mySDCCD

November 4, - December 2, 2024 Online Registration, appointment dates and times will vary based on special population and priority registration. For details See page 25-25 of college catalog. 

December 3, 2024 Open enrollment dates for all eligible students with an active application who applied after October 18, 2024.

Fall 2024 Academic Semester Calendar and Key Dates

Primary 16-Week Session: Aug. 19 - Dec. 14, 2024