Welcome Center

The Welcome Center at San Diego City College is dedicated to empowering students to identify and achieve their personal, educational, and professional goals by fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. We prioritize accessibility, equity, and social justice by providing culturally responsive, student-centered services that bridge opportunity gaps, promote lifelong learning, and connect students to the resources and programs essential for success. Through collaboration with the community, we inspire and guide prospective and current students on their pathways to academic achievement and economic mobility.

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

• Admission Application
• Navigating Financial Aid resources such as:
  • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
    
  • California Dream Act (CADAA)
  • Promise Program
  • Extended Opportunities Program
• Completing the New Student Orientation
  • Online Orientation
  • Education Planner Workshop
• Assistance with the enrollment process such as:
  • Registration for classes
  • Logging onto your student email/MFA
  • Logging onto your Canvas
• Placement Assistant (see more information below)
• Referrals to support services and resources available on campus
• Individual and group tours and presentations (see more information below)
• VIP Meetings (see more information below)

Book one-on-one sessions with an Outreach Ambassador who will guide you toward college success! These personalized sessions are packed with valuable insights and strategies to help students thrive academically, personally, and professionally. Whether you're looking to boost your grades, build essential skills, or navigate campus life with confidence, your mentor is there to support you every step of the way. Get ready to unlock your full potential and set yourself up for an amazing college experience and beyond.

You can book one VIP meeting per month, with a maximum of four sessions with an ambassador throughout the academic school year. This gives you the perfect opportunity to connect regularly and stay on track, while still having the flexibility to make the most of your mentor's guidance throughout the year. Whether you want to check in once a month or spread your sessions out, it's all about giving you the support you need when it counts the most!

To book an appointment, please fill out our Google Form here. For any questions or concerns, please call us at (619) 388-3023, email us at [email protected], or visit the Welcome Center in room A-201.

San Diego City College is offering in-person and virtual campus tours! If you are registered for an in-person tour, please review our campus map to help plan for your visit.

In Person Campus Tours

Individual campus tours can be booked via Calendly.

For groups of 10 or more people, please book a group tour via Calendly. 

• Please note for group tours and presentations: You will be emailed a copy of your tour request. This is not a confirmation. Once our team has verfied office and staff availability, we will send out a seperate confirmation email with directions and parking information.
• Please submit your tour request at least two weeks in advance.

Please keep in mind that we may not be able to complete requests to visit our high impacted programs (e.g. Cosmetology, Nursing, etc.)

If you have any questions or concerns in regards to campus tours, please email [email protected].

Virtual Campus Tour

Explore City College like never before with our exciting virtual tour! Whether you're a prospective student, a parent, or just curious about our campus, you can now take a fully immersive, self-guided tour from the comfort of your home. Discover our award winning facilities, vibrant campus spaces, and more, all at your own pace. Get to know City College today and experience everything we have to offer!

Self Guided Tour

Can’t make it to one of our in-person tours? No problem! We invite you to explore campus at your own pace with this self-guided tour brochure. Whether you're visiting during a lively afternoon or a quiet weekend, this guide will help you experience the highlights of student life, academics, and campus culture. Along the way, you’ll discover what makes our community unique and why so many students choose to call this place home. Start wherever you’d like and imagine yourself here.

Clarissa Padilla, Director, Outreach and Promise
Email: [email protected] 

Saribel Morales-Rivera, Outreach Coordinator
Email: [email protected] 

Ana V. Hernandez, Sr. Student Services Assistant
Email: [email protected]

Malarie McKinney, Project Analyst
Email: [email protected]

Outreach Ambassadors:

Jaimie Steenhard
Email: [email protected] 

Mariana Mendoza Anguiano
Email: [email protected]

Selena Sandoval
Email: [email protected]

Students enrolling into the San Diego Community College School District will complete an application for admission.

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. High School GPA or equivalent.
2. Highest level of English and the grade they received in that course.
3. Highest level of Math and the grade they received in that course.
4. 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.

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.

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.

Please click here to access the Placement Assistant.
The Placement Assistant program will allow only one submission per student, so please do not exit out of the form before ensuring that you filled out every question on the form.

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.

Click here for more information about our ELAC Program at City.

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 ([email protected]).

Please click here to access the ELAC Assessment.

Fall 2026 Academic Semester Calendar and Key Dates