The first step is to get an application, fill it out, gather the other items you need to apply, and turn it all into the college. When you turn in your application, go ahead and schedule your orientation, (it’s mandatory and easier to get it scheduled while you are already at the school).

*Tip* – Apply early, this will keep you from standing in long lines, and help with getting everything properly processed so there are fewer problems with registration and financial aid.

You can get an application online at: https://www1.dcccd.edu/stuapp/

Then you need to get the following for various reasons:

• To turn in with your application:
  • Your official high school transcript (if less than 5 years from graduation);
  • Any official transcripts from all colleges/universities you’ve attended;
  • And any ACT/SAT/TAKS/THEA scores you might have.
• Also go ahead and get:
  • Your/or your parents past tax documents for your Financial Aid
  • Any test scores for AP courses you might have for when you are going through advising

You can turn everything into the El Centro Admissions office (A168). To get to that office, go in the entrance off of Elm Street, take an immediate left and then a right. Now the elevators will be on the right, and you will go left. There will be a cluster of offices, and admissions will be there on the left (A168). The advisement center is also in that cluster of offices (the first one on the right), and you can set up your orientation and get your test referral form with them while you are there.

You can also turn it in online by going to www.ApplyTexas.org, you will then need to call or go by the advisement center (214-860-2083) or e-mailing eccadvising@dcccd.edu to set up your orientation.

You Must Prep Yourself!

El Centro uses the Accuplacer test to place students by looking at how they score in 3 areas: Reading, Writing, and Math. In a few cases, students will pass eligibility requirements with their TAKS, TAAS, or SAT/ACT scores, so that is why it is important to bring them when you apply. However, most students will be required to take the computer based Accuplacer, so don’t worry if you are one of those students. In most cases students just need to remember what they have previously learned – it may have been a couple of years since your past math or reading class, so to get put in the right class, you might need to dust off some of the cobwebs.

Let’s talk scores: So, if you are asking yourself what do I need to make, or do my other test scores exempt me???? Here is what to aim for:

Test Name	Math/Algebra	Language Arts/English/Reading Skills	Writing Skills/Sentence Skills	Written Essay
Accuplacer        (EL Centro’s typically administered computer based test)	63+	78	80	6
11th or 12th Grade TAKS	2200	2200	At Least 3	n/a
11th & 12th Grade TAAS         (only good for 3 years)	86	89	1770+	n/a
Compass	39	78	80	6
ASSET	28	41	40	6
THEA	230	230	220	n/a
SAT (combined score of 1070 is needed)	500	500	n/a	n/a
ACT (Composite score of 23 is needed)	19	19	n/a	n/a

Prep Materials Available

Assessment practice tests are available online.

You can also get paper practice material in person at the Assessment Center(A067)

When Ready Take the Test

During your orientation, the advisors should explain testing and the Test Referral Form. After getting your Test Referral Form from an Advisor, you can call or go by the Assessment center to set up your test time. They also accept walk-ins when there is space available, BUT make sure you give yourself a week or two if possible to prepare for the test.

• *tip* – DON’T go in to test cold (without looking over the prep materials) or there is a good chance you could end up in the wrong place and paying for courses you don’t need.
• To set up your testing appointment, you can either call (214)860-2245, or go by the Assessment Center. It is in the basement of the ‘A’ building (A067). To get there go down the stairs across from the admissions office, and it will be down the hall past the elevators on the right.
• When you go to your testing appointment, make sure you bring your Test Referral Form, a valid picture ID, and if you have to take a retake, $10. The first test is free. After you are done, you will get your scores immediately, and then you are ready for academic advising!

Center hours:

Monday-Thursday 8:30am – 8:00pm(last test administered at 6:30pm)
Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm(last test administered at 1:30pm)
Saturday 8:00am-3:00pm(last test administered at 1:30pm)

After you have finished testing in the Assessment center, you will need to meet with an academic advisor so that you may register for your classes. There are a few good things to keep in mind when you are registering like do you have credits that might transfer in or do you have restrictions in your schedule?

When you meet with your advisor, keep your daily schedule in mind. Are you a morning person? Do you want to load your classes into 2-3 days? Do you need to take part time hours? Or, do you need to take sciences with labs, and if so talk to your advisor about what courses would be best to take together.

After your first semester, you might start looking for four year institutions that you would like to transfer into, so start looking at their degree requirements so that you can take the proper prerequisites for your degree.

It also helps to create a degree plan, for a sample degree plan check in our other resources.

When it comes to paying for College, there are always a lot of questions. Here is some general information on Tuition, Financial Aid, and other options regarding paying for College.

Tuition

When it comes to paying for College, there are always a lot of questions. Here is some general information on Tuition, Financial Aid, and other options regarding paying for College.

El Centro College, as part of the Dallas County Community College District has a low tuition of $41/semester credit hour for in-county tuition. Your residency will be based on your physical residence at the time of admission, so keep that in mind. Our out of district tuition is $71/semester credit hour, and out of state or county tuition is $121/semester credit hour with a $200 minimum.

Financial Aid

Financial aid will be awarded only after all required forms are on file in the Financial Aid Office and you have completed an application for admission at the Registrar’s Office. You cannot receive financial aid from two schools at the same time.

• Apply – First, remember those tax forms you got when you were applying? Well you need them now to fill out your FASFA (your Free Application for Federal Student Aid). You can do this online at www.fafsa.edu.gov. Make sure you enter El Centro’s school code – 004453 or else the school won’t receive your info.
  • The priority deadline for FAFSA (fall and spring) is May 1
• How financial aid is awarded - After your file is complete and it has been determined the amount of unmet need you have, your file will be evaluated to further determine the amount of eligibility you have and the availability of funds to award you. You will be notified by email once you are awarded. The award notification will outline the type of assistance you are being offered. You will need to activate your awards online through eConnect.

Scholarship Resources

• http://www.fastweb.com
• http://www.collegeboard.org
• http://www.finaid.org
• http://www.molis.com
• http://www.ed.gov.com
• http://www.salliemae.com
• http://www.freschinfo.com
• http://www.scholarships101.com
• http://www.mapping-your-future.org
• http://www.foundation.dcccd.edu/scholarships/scholarships.html

Other Resources:

• El Centro College Math Society Scholarships
• Dallas Community College District’s STEM Scholarships
• The Mildred Finch Memorial Scholarship

Now that you have registered for your classes and started your education at El Centro, remember to keep looking ahead and planning your next steps. Whether you are planning what courses to take, starting to look for jobs in your selected field, or looking at four year schools for transfer, keep an eye on your educational plan and it will make your life much easier in the long run. Good luck!