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This is always the first step. We recommend that you apply for admission as early as you can:

• Check the academic calendar to find out when the application opens for each quarter, and when registration for courses is scheduled to begin. 
• De Anza operates on a quarter system – with three main quarters in fall, winter and spring. 
  • Most quarter classes run for 12 weeks.
  • Some late-starting courses may run for 6 or 8 weeks during the quarter.
  • We also have a summer session, with courses that run for 6 or 8 weeks.

When you're ready to apply

• First, review the information on the Application Tips webpage.
• Then, complete the online application for the quarter you'd like to attend.
• You don't need to submit a new application if you took classes at De Anza in the previous quarter. It's OK if you skipped summer session.
  • But if you didn't take classes in the last full quarter, you will need to re-apply.
  • If you previously took classes at Foothill College, but didn't take classes at De Anza in the previous quarter, you must submit an application for admission to De Anza.

Once your application has been processed, you'll receive a "Welcome to De Anza" email with your 8-digit De Anza student ID number, also known as your Campuswide ID or CWID.

• This can take up to two weeks.
• If you haven't received a "welcome" email with your CWID after 10 business days, you can email daapplications@deanza.edu for assistance. (Be sure to include your first and last name, date of birth, the term you applied for and your application confirmation number.) 

Once your application has been processed, you'll receive a "Welcome to De Anza" email with your 8-digit De Anza student ID number, also known as your Campuswide ID or CWID.

• Use your CWID to set up your account on MyPortal – this is the online portal that students use to register for classes, view their class schedule and find other important information.
• Learn more about how to set up your account by visiting the MyPortal Log-In Tips webpage.

Log In to MyPortal

Now you're ready to start looking at the course schedule and see which courses are being offered in the next quarter.

• We offer courses in a wide range of subjects, from Accounting to Women's Studies.
• You can also view complete course descriptions in the college catalog. (Many courses listed in the catalog are not offered every quarter, so you need to check the course schedule to see what's available in the next quarter.)
• Not sure of your goals? That's OK! Taking courses may help you decide what you want to do.

When you look at the course descriptions, be sure to check these items:

• The start and end date of each course
• The teaching mode – such as on-campus, online or hybrid (a combination of online and in-person)
• Whether there are scheduled class meetings.
  • If the course schedule is listed as TBA (with no scheduled meeting days or times), this is a self-paced online course without scheduled meetings.

You should also:

• Check the footnotes and the "requisites and advisories" section to see if there are any special requirements for the courses you're interested in taking.
• Review the information about earning college credit that's provided lower on this webpage.

Remember: You'll need to get approval from your adult school before you register for a particular class.

• Your adult school might not give you credit for courses that you complete, if they were not approved on your adult school permission form. 
• We'll explain more about the permission form in Step 6 below.

Here are some other things to know:

• General Education (GE) courses are a great way to explore different subjects, and these courses often do not have prerequisites. 
• You may take courses that provide career training, personal enrichment or subjects that aren't available at your adult school. (Visit our Career Training webpage for a complete list of programs.) 
• It's a good idea to identify a few different courses that you might like to take, plus a few alternate choices, so you have more flexibility when it's time to register.

When you read the descriptions in the course schedule, you'll see that each one has has a section titled "Requisites and Advisories" 

• Prerequisites are required courses that you must complete before you can take the course you're considering
• Corequisites are required courses that you must take at the same time that you take the course you're considering
• Advisories are recommended (but not required) courses that will help you prepare for the course you're considering

If you haven't taken a prerequisite course, you may be able to satisfy the requirement in a different way, so you can be "cleared" to register for the course you want.

• This process may take several weeks, so be sure to allow plenty of time by applying for admission and submitting your high school permission form as early as possible.
• Visit the Meeting Prerequisites webpage for detailed instructions on how to satisfy a prerequisite if you haven't taken the prerequisite course.

NOTE The Footnote section of each course description also contains important registration steps that you should be aware of before you attempt to add a course. 

You'll need to use the Adult School Permission Form to get electronic signatures from your adult school counselor, transition adviser or administrator before you can take classes with us.

Click for ADULT school permission Form

When you fill out the form, make sure that you provide all requested information, including your preferred courses and alternate choices, and your 8-digit CWID, which is your De Anza student ID number. (You will receive your CWID in an email after we process your application for admission.)

• You will need to submit a new form for each quarter, even if you took classes at De Anza during the previous quarter.
• If you have questions or need help, you can contact our Admissions and Records Office by sending an email to webregda@deanza.edu
• Once your form is electronically signed by all parties, we will process your form and you will be assigned a registration date and time.
  
  • Your assigned date and time is when you can begin registering.
  • You can continue to register after that date, through the second week of the quarter. (Summer classes usually have a shorter time frame to add a class after the session begins.)
  • You can check your registration date and get other important information when you log into MyPortal.
• Remember to check your email frequently. We will reach out to you directly if there are any questions about your permission form.

It's easy to register online, once you have been assigned a date and time to register:

• First, log in to MyPortal at your assigned registration date and time – or any time after that.
• Next, follow the Steps to Register for the courses you listed on your high school permission form.
• Check the Registration Guide for step-by-step instructions, or visit the Add/Drop webpage for details on how to add or drop a class after the session begins.
• If the class is full, you can use the registration system to join the waitlist.

Additional things to know:

• If you have not satisfied a course prerequisite before you register, the system won't allow you to take the course. (You will see a "prerequisite not met" message.)
• If you're enrolled in an eligible adult school, you won't be charged tuition as long as you take no more than 11 units in fall, winter or spring, or no more than six units in summer.
  • If you take more than 11 units in a quarter – or more than six units in summer – at De Anza, Foothill College or the two colleges combined, you will be charged tuition and student fees. 
  • If you're planning to take more than 11 units in fall, winter or spring – or more than six units in summer – you must get approval on the high school permission form.
  • You will be notified if you do need to pay any fees. Fees can be paid online, by mail or in person.

Problems? Here are some issues that may come up, and some tips for resolving them:

• If you did not meet your course's prerequisite before you attempt to register for the course, you will receive a "prerequisite not met" error message. (For more information, visit the Meeting Prerequisites webpage.)
• If you attempt to register for a course that is not listed on your adult school permission form, you will get an error message. You must resubmit your permission form to list alternative courses; collect all approvals again; and then wait for your form to be reprocessed. Then you can try to register for the course.
• If you attempt to register for more than 11 units in fall, winter or spring quarter, or six units in summer quarter, you will get an error message. You must get prior permission, on your adult school permission form, in order to take more than the 11 units (or more than six in summer).  
• If you want to register after a class starts, you must follow the steps to add a class with an add code from the instructor. Otherwise, you will get an error message even if the class is still listed in the schedule as "Open." (You must get the add code from the instructor, not from the Admissions and Records Office.)

After the quarter begins, you may still be able to add a class to your schedule. 

You can also drop a class after the quarter begins, if you decide it's not for you. 

But you must do this in the first two weeks of fall, winter or spring quarter. (Deadlines are shorter for summer classes.) 

• Visit the Add/Drop webpage for detailed instructions.
• Check the Academic Calendar or your class schedule for deadlines.

If you need assistance with your application for admission, high school permission form, or class registration, you can contact the Admissions and Records Office.

• Note: Your student records are confidential. We cannot release information over the phone or to someone else without your permission. 
• Visit the Admissions and Records Office website for details on how to speak with someone in person, on Zoom or via their online contact form.