Planning your course schedule and mapping your education at SRJC takes time, fine tuning and the help of the counseling department, especially if your goal is to finish your general education at SRJC and transfer to a university in two years or less.

The State of California requires students to complete certain prerequisites before taking the sequence of requirements for either the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum or the CSU GE pattern. The idea is that students will be better prepared and thereby successful in course material presented in higher level classes, which can extend your JC stay by several semesters.

But what if the past three summer vacations spent with your family in Germany make Elementary German seem like a review and you would benefit more from taking German 2? This knowledge could save you a semester of redundant information. However, not only is it an option as a student, but also your right to challenge the prerequisite.

But challenging can be, well, challenging if you don’t know how.

First, placement tests determine your abilities and take the element of surprise out of which classes you’ll be placed in for some areas like math, English, chemistry or English as a second language. Depending on your score, you may be able to bypass some introductory courses.

Next, both the IGETC and CSU GE patterns are difficult to understand, and taking the time to plan with a counselor is key. This way you’ll know ahead of time which prerequisites are in your future so you can plan accordingly, challenge pre-reqs if needed and apply on time to universities and for financial aid, grants and scholarships.

If knowledge you’ve gained at other schools in equivalent courses with a grade of “C” or better or your ability to speak German fluently because all of those family vacations padded your skills beyond the scope of the prerequisite class, pick up a Prerequisite Equivalency/Challenge Form online or in-person at Admissions and Records (also see the sidebar for other reasons to challenge).

The form is self-explanatory. In filing, as outlined by the conditions of challenge procedures, it is the student’s responsibility to provide “compelling evidence to support the challenge” and any documentation must be attached to your form. The student is also taking personal responsibility for success in the higher level class, should the challenge be approved.

Once completed, turn the form in to Admissions & Records. The rest of the time line, outlined on the challenge form, goes like this:

The challenge may be filed at any time, but not after the deadline of the department. If it is filed after the deadline, it will be applied the next enrollment period.

You may enroll within 24 hours of submitting the challenge form. Admissions & Records only lifts the block. You must register for the class.

The department chair has five working days after the enrollment block is lifted to approve or deny the challenge. Except during Winter and Spring break.

If the chair exceeds the limit you are allowed to stay in the course.

If the challenge is denied, you will be notified, dropped from the class and the enrollment fee will be refunded.

If approved, congratulations. No action will be taken.

Filing a challenge does not guarantee a seat in the course.

For more information: Contact Admissions & Records at (707)527-4685 or stop by Plover Hall.