<p>I applied for the Winter 2012 quarter (CCCApply) and then I logged into myPortal
It tells me I can register for classes on Dec 6. I haven't taken any placement tests or anything. What am I supposed to do? My friend told me that means I can pick my classes online on Dec 6, but aren't I suppose to go to the school or anything? I'm really confused because I would have no idea what classes to pick.. Don't I have to take GE classes or something? please someone help (and please explain about placement testing..) thank you</p>
<p>You can sign up for about 99% of the classes. However, if it is a class that has a pre-req or requires a test, the computer system will usually be aware of this and simply block your registration for that class. You generally will just get a message saying you can’t register for that class, try a different class. </p>
<p>Basically, when you take your placement tests (usually ONLY required for some English and some Math classes) your student account gets assigned a flag/code that allows you to get into certain classes/levels. Basically right now your flag is probably a zero/null setting for those classes for now because you haven’t taken the test to be assigned a code or level.</p>
<p>However in the meantime, you can sign up for soc, history, pe, for lang., all science classes that don’t have any math pre-reqs, art, and probably English literature (but not English composition) classes and much more even if you haven’t done your placement tests. But since you’ll want to take your English and Math at some point, go ahead and schedule to take the tests soon–it may be too late to get your “flags” updated before Winter 2012 classes, but that’s okay, just take other classes for now.</p>
<p>The community colleges offer almost entirely classes that fulfill GE requirements. You can go to the campus and talk to a counselor if you want help picking some good basic GE classes that will ease you into your college career and start checking of GE requirements. Info is also online. [De</a> Anza College :: Don Nickel :: Which GE pattern is right for you](<a href=“http://www.deanza.edu/faculty/nickeldon/WhichGE.html]De”>http://www.deanza.edu/faculty/nickeldon/WhichGE.html)</p>
<p>And yes, you can sign up for your classes from the website/online. However, you can visit campus anytime between now and when school starts to figure out where the buildings are, the best place to park, find the admin or counseling offices, find the bookstore, etc.</p>
<p>Community colleges in California are a great resource, but it is really up to the student to read read read all the website pages and/or the student catalog (also online) to self-learn about course policies, GE requirements, drop/add procedures, etc. If after reading a ton of info online you are still confused, make an appointment with a counselor on campus. But, really–start reading. And ask questions here as well!</p>