The Early Decision Program encourages high school seniors to consider Santa Ana College and the benefits of a community college education. Special program offerings are reviewed, such as Teacher Ed, Honors, Fire Tech, Freshman Experience, MESA, Adelante, and many more. We review both the outstanding transfer services and also the occupational program opportunities.
Program Components
Classroom / Application Presentations: (September - October & January - March)
Classroom presentations are conducted in senior classes. SAC outreach staff or Student Ambassadors make motivational presentations about going to college, review the benefits of a community college education, discuss how college life is structured, and describe the components of the Early Decision program. Students apply online and are given scholarship information and a flyer with all important dates. Staff goes through step-by-step on how to complete the admissions application online.
Financial Aid Application Workshops: (October-February)
SAC outreach staff or Student Ambassadors conducts group workshops on financial aid procedures and step-by-step instructions in completing the FAFSA. Workshops are conducted during class time for all senior classes or after school & evening for large group workshops, depending on the high school.
Campus Visitations: (November-May)
SAC outreach staff or Student Ambassadors make regular visitations, usually weekly, to high school campuses to meet with students interested in attending SAC and conduct individualized, follow-up with students who have unusual circumstances regarding the admission status.
Placement Testing / Orientation: (March-April)
SAC outreach staff and the testing center staff conducts the placement testing in Standard English or ESL, reading and math at the high schools. Testing is either done in a large group setting (Library, auditorium, cafeteria) or in individual classrooms, depending on the school. The outreach staff reviews the California College Promise Grant Program
Advisement / Early Registration: (April-May)
Students are bused to the college for advisement and registration. Students receive a presentation about programs, complete necessary program applications, meet individually with a counselor to review their first semester classes, and receive assistance in developing a schedule of classes that meets their needs. After completing advisement at the college, students then register for their classes online in a computer lab. Students turn in California Promise Grant Program. SAC outreach staff is available to assist students with problems encountered, such as closed classes and overlapping times.
Follow-Up by SAC staff: (June-August)
Students who have missed any of the above components are tracked and provided follow-up services to assist them. Since they did not participate in the Early Decision Program, they are provided with information on how to complete the process and informed about the subsequent registration dates. Staff does follow-up with students throughout the summer to ensure that students show up for the fall semester and have their college finances in order.
