Step 1: Apply for Admission to Southwestern College

Admission to Southwestern College is open to anyone who has graduated from a US high school or has equivalency, or is 18 years of age or older and is able to benefit from instruction at Southwestern College. Persons must be 18 years of age by the day preceding the opening day of the semester. In addition, high school students are admitted, if qualified, while concurrently completing their high school programs. Anyone under 18 years of age must provide proof of high school graduation. (AP 5011 Admissions & Concurrent Enrollment of High School Students).

Application Procedure

All new and returning students must submit an application and be admitted to the college before registering.  Go to www.swccd.edu/apply for information and instruction to file an application.

Computer terminals are available to apply online in the lobby of the Student Services Center in the Cesar E. Chavez Building at the Chula Vista campus, or the Higher Education Centers located in National City, Otay Mesa and San Ysidro.

Classification of Students

Students admitted to the College will be classified under one or more of the following designations:

Classification Credits
Freshman Has earned fewer than 30 semester units of college credit.
Sophomore Has earned 30 semester units or more of college credit and has not attained an associate or higher degree.
Other Attained an associate or higher degree
Full-Time Enrolled in 12 or more units.
3/4-Time Enrolled in 9 to 11.5 units.
Half-Time Enrolled in 6 to 8.5 units.
Part-Time Enrolled in fewer than 6 units.
Day Enrolled in class(es) meeting before 4:30 p.m.
Evening Enrolled in class(es) meeting 4:30 p.m. or later.
New Not previously enrolled at Southwestern College.
Continuing Enrolled in the previous semester at Southwestern College.
Former Enrolled in the past, but not in the previous semester at Southwestern College.