CollegeLink: Free College Courses
Overview
Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD) high school students can earn college credit by enrolling in courses offered by Fullerton College. These courses are taught in person on PYLUSD high school campuses and are free of charge and include textbooks. All courses are CSU and UC-approved for transfer. Students do not need to commit to attend Fullerton College in order to take these classes and receive credit. The goal of these classes is to help students transfer to their desired 4-year college or graduate quicker.
Summer 2021 Courses
All courses are online and there are no virtual meetings. Online coursework will be done through Canvas, please see this guide to familiarize yourself with the platform.
Session 1 (June 21-July 25, 2021)
Session 2 (July 12-August 13, 2021)
Click on this link to see the full flyer.
Fall 2021 Preview
Missed our Family Night for Fall on June 2nd? See our Family Night Presentation here
See Course Descriptions
Course Descriptions
ART 110 – Introduction to Art – (3 Units) This lecture-based course provides an introduction to art from prehistoric times to the present. Classroom presentations are supplemented by gallery and museum visits. While examining the role that the visual arts have played in the development of the cultures of the world, the student is exposed to a wide variety of artistic media. Transfers to CSU/UC and fulfills GE requirements for IGETC (Area 3) and CSU (Area C).
BUS 100 – Introduction to Business – (3 Units) This introductory business course is designed to give an understanding and appreciation for the American business/ economic system. The course surveys the nature of economics, business ownership, physical factors, personnel relations, marketing, finance, corporate ownership, management control, business regulation, law, taxation, and the international business environment. Transfers to UC as elective units and fulfills GE requirements for CSU (Area D). This course is intended for 11th-12th grade students.
MUS 119 – History of Rock Music – (3 Units) This course presents a historical study of the music of a rock musician. The principal focus will be on the music with analysis, secondary emphasis is placed on the socio-logical, political, and economic conditions which so heavily influenced this musical genre’s development. Listening Active, directed listening, will be the primary function activity in the classroom. Out-of-class activities will include music listening and concert attendance. Transfers to CSU/UC and fulfills GE requirements for IGETC (Area 3) and CSU (Area C).
Are you a good fit?
Ask yourself the following questions to determine if you are a good fit for these classes:
1. Do I have the time in my schedule to be committed to complete college coursework on time?
2. Do I meet the prerequisites (if there are any) for the class I want to take?
3. Will I ask questions if I need help?
4. Will I check my Canvas account on a regular basis without being prompted to check for announcements and assignments?
5. Am I serious about attending all classes and earning college credit?
6. Am I aware that these courses and grades will go on my permanent college record?
If you answered "Yes" to all these questions, you may be a good fit to take CollegeLink courses! It is always a good idea to talk to your Counselor or College and Career Technician to determine the best fit for you.
Application Process
Application
Click here to see the full registration process flyer with workshop dates.
Step 1: Apply to Fullerton College for the Summer 2021 term. Click here to see an instructional video.
Step 2: Complete the Special Admit form. You MUST select a high school or your form will automatically be rejected. Click here to see an instructional video.
ALL APPLICATIONS ARE DUE FRIDAY, JUNE 4TH
You will receive an email if you were accepted, waitlisted, or rejected from the class on June 7th. If you receive an accepted email, you MUST complete step 3 to enroll in the course.
Please ignore the email from admissionsautoemail@fullcoll.edu (shown below) that tells you about a registration appointment. This is an automated email that goes out to every Fullerton College student, but does not apply to you as CollegeLink students.
Step 3: Register for the class. You will receive a CRN code from Ms. Kong that you will use to enroll in the class through your MyGateway portal on fullcoll.edu. DO NOT look for a code on your own or you will enroll in a regular Fullerton College class with other college students and will need to pay for your own textbook.
Registration Deadline is June 16th
For more information, contact your CollegeLink Representative (College and Career Tech or Counselor).
Dropping a Class
If you signed up for a class, but now you don't think it is the right fit for you or something happened and the timing for this semester is not working out, you may drop your class. Depending on when you are dropping the class, it may affect your college record, college GPA, and financial aid awards.
| Term | Time | Result | What does it affect? |
| Full Semester Term | Prior to the 3rd week of class | Nothing on your transcript (as if you never signed up) | Nothing |
| Full Semester Term | During the 3rd-12th week of class | Receive a Withdrawal "W" grade | College transcript and possibly Financial Aid |
| Full Semester Term | During the 13th-15th week of class | Receive a letter grade | College transcript, GPA, and possibly Financial Aid |
| Summer Term | Prior to 20% of the length of the course | Nothing on your transcript (as if you never signed up) | Nothing |
| Summer Term | During the 20-75% of the length of the course | Receive a Withdrawal "W" grade | College transcript and possibly Financial Aid |
| Summer Term | During 76-100% of the length of the course | Receive a letter grade | College transcript, GPA, and possibly Financial Aid |
How is a Withdrawal grade different from an "F" grade?
A Withdrawal "W" grade shows up on your transcript but does not affect your GPA. It may affect your Financial Aid because a "W" may affect your Satisfactory Academic Progress status. An "F" grade shows up on your transcript and affects your GPA.
Please see Fullerton College's Withdrawal handout for more information.
Classes fulfill CSU GE and UC IGETC Areas
Ready to Apply to Colleges? Order your Official Transcript
If you are a senior that needs all your college credits on a college transcript to apply to various colleges, follow these steps:
1. Log into your MyGateway account
2. Click on Webstar in the right corner
3. Click on the Students Records Tab
4. Click Request Official Transcript
Be sure to check that all your classes and grades are correct before requesting an official transcript. Check the Status of your order by entering your Order Number on the Credentials' self-service portal.
More information can be found here: https://admissions.fullcoll.edu/transcripts/
Adding CollegeLink Grades onto your College Application
What do your grades mean? Get an explanation here.
Watch a tutorial on adding your CollegeLink grades into the CSU Apply application here:
Watch a tutorial on adding your CollegeLink grades into the UC Apply application here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gph-c0K4lIo&ab_channel=UCSBAdmissions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does my student need to attend Fullerton College to receive the college units earned from these classes?
No, the college units are on Fullerton College's official transcript so your student can take with them to any college they plan to attend. Students must pass these classes in order to receive units. Where the units are applied may vary between colleges. If your student plans to attend a private college, please contact them directly to inquire about transferable units. Visit https://admissions.fullcoll.edu/transcripts/ for information to receive your official transcript.
2. Are the classes scaled down for high school students?
No, the classes are equally as rigorous as other college classes as they are taught by college Professors.
3. Will these grades be on my permanent record?
Yes, all grades will be included on your permanent college transcript and affect your college GPA. This has negative consequences if students fail the class.
4. Will these classes be on the High School transcript?
Please see your Counselor to ask about this.
5. What is a Withdrawal "W" grade?
A withdrawal grade indicates that a student withdrew or dropped a class. The grade does not affect the GPA. Students that drop before 20% of the total class time will not receive any record of having taken or dropped the class. Please see Fullerton College's handout on Withdrawal grades for more information.
6. Can I take multiple classes in the same semester?
Remember that these are college courses and have very rigorous curriculum. We have seen a handful of students be successful with 2 classes, but it is rare as the workload can be overwhelming. You would also need to take classes that are not at the same time in Fullerton College's system. Even if the class is fully online, they still have a designated date and time in the system. If the times overlap, the system will not let you register for both classes. It would be equivalent to having two 3rd period classes.
7. How many classes can I take?
There is no limit to how many classes you can take throughout all of high school that go on your permanent college transcript that do not go on your high school transcript. If you would like to know how to get classes on your high school transcript for elective credit, please see your counselor. We recommend only taking 1 class at a time to promote a balanced, healthy schedule. Students may also not take multiple classes that overlap in times they are offered.
8. I am a 9th grader, what classes can I take?
CollegeLink courses are intended for 11th-12th grade students, but if you are a self-motivated and hard working 9th-10th grade student, you may do well in our classes. As long as your Counselor or CCT thinks you are capable enough to handle the college-level workload and approve you to take a course, you will be considered for the course. Please note that 11th-12th grade students will have priority as you still have more time to take these courses. Some classes also have requirements or are intended for 11th-12th grade students only.
9. Can I take a course that is not on the list?
Yes, you may take a course that is not offered as a CollegeLink class, however, you will need to pay for your own textbook and you will be in a class with other Fullerton College students. You will also be given last priority as Fullerton College would like to serve their own students first. You can select classes through the Special Admit program. Learn more here. You may also take classes at other Community Colleges, but you may need to pay for tuition and/or textbooks.
For any additional questions, Bryce Hamamoto at BHamamoto@fullcoll.edu