Saddleback College's four-step Pre-Registration Checklist was designed to assist college students with achieving specific educational goals: earning a certificate, associate degree, or transfer to a four-year college or university.

Students are assigned a pre-registration status of "Required" or "Not Required" when they apply for admission to Saddleback College. Based off application data, most first-time college students are required to complete the four-step Pre-Registration Checklist.

Exemption criteria include the following:

  • Completed 30+ college units at the time of admission
  • Earned an AA/AS degree or higher from an accredited college or university
  • Concurrently enrolled four-year college or university student taking classes to meet degree requirements
  • Taking non-academic or non-credit classes for educational development (KNES, AESL, EI)
  • Dual-enrolled in grades K-12 (Special Admission)


If you meet this exemption criteria but are required, you need to update your data using the Student Information Update Form. Exempt educational goals are indicated on the form.

NOTE: California Community College regulations state that all required (non-exempt) students must complete the steps outlined below prior to registering for any class.

Required to Complete Pre-Registration?

A new MySite system was launched for Fall 2025. If you are required to complete pre-registration and your first semester at Saddleback is Fall 2025 or later, you will complete the four-step Pre-Registration Checklist online within the new MySite. 

  • Log into MySite for Fall 2025 and locate the card titled "Pre-Registration Checklist."
  • The card should be pinned to your MySite homepage if you are required. 
  • The four pre-registration steps are laid out in order below.

Four-Step Pre-Registration Checklist

The New Student Orientation provides students with information about the many resources available at Saddleback College, from student support services to special programs. Students are introduced to MySite, the college's student portal, and to Saddleback College policies and procedures.

The New Student Orientation module consists of eight sections. You must read through all the section content to receive credit and complete Step 1.

NOTE: Download or take a screenshot of the completion certificate for your records.

Estimated completion time: 20 minutes.

Saddleback College's "Current Assessment Process" allows first-time college students to obtain Math and English Placement using the Guided Self Placement questionnaire (GSP). Your Math and English Placement will be based on your high school courses and GPA. These placements will indicate the courses you are eligible to take at Saddleback, like ENGL C1000 and STAT C1000.

Locate the Guided Self Placement card and complete the Math and English questionnaire. For the first question, be sure to select Saddleback College as your college of record.

Estimated completion time: 5 minutes.

Advisement helps students determine a potential major, define their educational goal, and prepare for registration. Advisement is available online and in-person. The Online Advisement module linked in the Pre-Registration Checklist card is the fastest option.

Estimated completion time: 15 minutes.

Group Advisement Workshops (In-Person)

As an alternative, students can complete Advisement and a First Semester Plan by attending an in-person Group Advisement Workshop with an academic counselor. This completes Steps 3 and 4. Appointments are required for all Group Advisement Workshops. To book a workshop, call (949) 582-4572.

Creating a First Semester Plan will help you plan out the classes you will register for this coming semester. To complete this step, click New Plan, then click Blank Plan, select your upcoming term (e.g., Fall 2025) and click Submit. You will need to name your plan in the Description field. Then you can add classes by clicking the [+] button. Add at least one class to your plan.

NOTE: The First Semester Plan is the first academic plan you will make in DegreeWorks here at Saddleback. In the next semester, a counselor will review your plan and add additional courses to create a Comprehensive Plan to help you stay on track and accomplish your educational goal.

Contact

Special Services Note: If you have a physical, communication, or visual limitation that might require accommodation or if you have extreme difficulty with reading, writing, spelling, math or understanding/remembering information, please contact the Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) Office at (949) 582-4885.