Frequently Asked Questions
| Please find answers to our most Frequently Asked Questions by looking at the list of questions with their answers below. |
| 1. If I decide to attend Southwestern College, what should I do? |
| Come to Southwestern College, go the Admissions Office, and fill out an application or visit our web site and apply online. |
| 2. Once I've filled out an application, what do I do then? |
| When your application has been processed, the Admissions Office will notify you with regard to your registration status and course sign-up date. You should also make an appointment to take assessment exams. |
| 3. Who may attend Southwestern College? |
| Admission is open to anyone who has graduated from high school, has equivalency or is 18 years of age or older and is able to benefit from instruction. |
| 4. How do I get to Southwestern College? |
| From I-805, exit H Street. Then go east 3 miles to 900 Otay Lakes Road, turn south 1/4 mile, then enter the front entrance. For complete driving directions click on the following link and enter your address and the location above. |
| 5. After I drive into the college where do I park? |
| One-day parking permits are available from the vending machines in the student parking lots at the Chula Vista campus and the higher education centers. There are no long coin-operated parking meters on campus. There is no off-campus parking. |
| 6. How do I register for classes? |
| You may enroll in classes either by telephone, online or by coming directly to the Admissions Office. You should pick up a Class Schedule, find open courses that you qualify for, and follow the registration instructions in your Class Schedule. The class schedule can be found online as well. |
| 7. Do I need to take the reading, writing and math assessment tests? |
| Students wishing to graduate from Southwestern College must meet reading, writing and math proficiency levels. The tests assess your levels and tell you where to begin. |
| 8. Should I attend an orientation? |
| All first-time students at Southwestern should attend orientation. Orientation gives you the necessary information on general education plans, major courses of study, degree and transfer requirements, as well as other valuable information to get you started. |
| 9. Do I need a counseling appointment? |
| You should get a counseling appointment as soon as you start your first semester to help you establish or review your goals and to make a Student Education Plan to reach those goals. |
| 10. What kind of counseling can I get at the Counseling Center? |
| Academic, career, personal and crisis counseling. |
| 11. Where is the Counseling Center located? |
| The Counseling Center is located directly across from the Admissions Office in Building 104. |
| 12. If I have attended other colleges, am I required to provide transcripts from those institutions? |
| Yes. Official transcripts must be sent directly from all schools attended to the Southwestern College Admission Center. Hand-carried copies will not be accepted. |
| 13. Can I add a class after registration? |
| Students may add a class only by officially filing a Class Add form in the Admission Center. To add a course, the student must obtain the instructor's approval/signature for each course and return the Class Add slip to the Admission Center before the established deadlines for registration. |
| 14. How do I withdraw from a class? |
| A student may officially withdraw from a course by telephone, online or filing a Class Withdraw form in the Admission Center. Students are permitted to withdraw from a course through the 12th week of the regular semester. |
| 15. Is financial aid available at Southwestern College? |
| Students who need financial assistance to attend Southwestern College are urged to contact the Financial Aid Office, Student Services Center (1st floor), for information and application forms. |
| 16. Will I be assigned a counselor? |
| You may choose a counselor or the Counseling Center can make an appointment with the first available counselor at your convenience. |
| 17. What is a "prerequisite" course? |
| A prerequisite is a course or qualification required before a student may enroll in a subsequent course. A minimum grade of "C" or "Credit" must be earned in the prerequisite course may be taken. |
| 18. What is a "co-requisite? |
| A co-requisite course is a course that must be taken at the same time as another course. Students who do not take the co-requisites can be dropped from the courses requiring the co-requisites. Co-requisites are enforced at Southwestern College. |
| 19. What is a "recommended preparation" course? |
| Previous training or courses that help a student successfully complete a subsequent course. Completion of the recommended preparation course with a Grade of "C" or better increases student success. |
| 20. How many courses can I take? |
| Students wishing to enroll in courses and to exceed a total of 19 units must submit a petition and receive approval from the Dean of Student Services prior to enrolling in the additional courses. Petitions are available in the Admissions Center. |
| 21. Can I repeat a course? |
| Course repetitions are allowed only under the following conditions:
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| 22. How do I find my way around campus? |
| Three methods may be useful to you:
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| 23. Are meals served at Southwestern College? |
| Southwestern College has a Student Union dining room that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a short order food service. |
| 24. Can I apply to Southwestern College online? |
| Yes. Apply Online |
| 25. If I want to be a full-time student, how many units do I need? |
| 12 units. |
| 26. Is Southwestern College accredited? |
| Southwestern College is fully accredited. |
| 27. What is a unit of credit? |
| One hour of lecture per week for one semester equals 1 unit; 3 hours of laboratory per week for one semester equals 1 unit. |
| 28. Are personal development classes offered at Southwestern College? |
| Southwestern College offers a full range of personal development classes such as: Diagnostic Assessment; Job Readiness; Career and Life Planning; Student Leadership; College Success Skills; and many others. |
| 29. What is Academic Probation? |
| A student who has attempted 12 units or more at Southwestern College shall be placed on Academic Probation when his/her cumulative grade point average (GPA) at Southwestern College falls below 2.0. A student is removed from Academic Probation status when his/her total grade point average at Southwestern College is 2.0 or above. |
| 30. What is Progress Probation? |
| A student who has attempted 12 units or more at Southwestern College shall be placed on Progress Probation when his/her total units at Southwestern College include 50 percent or more of "W", "I", or "NC" grades. A student is removed from Progress Probation status when his/her total units of "W", "I", or "NC" are less than 50 percent of the total units attempted. |
| 31. What is Academic Disqualification? |
| A student on Academic Probation status is disqualified when his/her semester grade point average falls below 2.0 for two consecutive semesters. A student whose semester grade point average equals or exceeds 2.0 but whose overall grade point average remains below 2.0 shall remain on Academic Probation. |
| 32. What is Progress Disqualification? |
| A student on Progress Probation is disqualified when his/her semester units of "W", "I", or "NC" exceed 50 percent of the units attempted for two consecutive semesters. A student whose semester units completed equals or exceeds 50 percent of the units attempted but whose overall units show 50 percent or more of "W", "I", or "NC" shall remain on Progress Probation. |
| 33. Can I be reinstated if I am disqualified? |
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| 34. How can the Counseling Center help me? |
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| 35. Tell me about the Career Center. |
| Career-planning assistance is offered as a part of the total counseling program in the Career Center located on the second floor of the Student Services Center. A variety of resources are available, including career information in written and computer-assisted formats, newsletters, and resource directories. The following career counseling services are available to students:
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| 36. What services does the Transfer Center offer? |
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