Ohlone College (OC) Academics and Admissions

Academics

Ohlone College was founded in 1965 as part of the Ohlone Community College District. It was named in honor of the area’s former residents, the Ohlone Indians of the Costanoan Tribe.

Ohlone seeks to offer basic skills, career entry, and four-year college transfer educational experiences to its students. It offers over 190 associate degrees, certificates, and transfer programs. The college enrolls nearly 20,000 students annually.

Since its inception, the college has grown into two campuses – the Fremont Campus and the Newark Center Campus – which are about 15 minutes apart by car. The Fremont Campus is home to the Gary Soren Smith Center for the Fine and Performing Arts and the Morris and Alvirda Hyman Hall for Business and Technology.

Newark, which began as a satellite branch of the Fremont Campus, recently added a state-of-the-art Center for Health Sciences and Technology. The Center is LEED certified and was built to be energy efficient, its one structure really being five buildings that have been combined to conserve land usage and resources. It also uses solar panels for electricity and geothermal coils to heat and cool the rooms. Students can take cutting-edge classes in vocational programs like biotechnology, health sciences, and environmental studies at the Center.

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Information Summary

Ranks 160th in California and 2066th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	62.4
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$3,136
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	28 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	80% / 46%
Enrollment Total (all students)	8,835

Admissions

Students can apply to Ohlone online or on paper using the downloadable Application for Admission. Once you have submitted your application, you will need to clear your eligibility by taking placement tests at the college or getting prerequisites approved. Finally, you must attend New Student Orientation, register for classes online, and pay for your tuition and fees.

Ohlone also offers classes to students in kindergarten through 12th grade. If you are one of these students and you wish to enroll at Ohlone, you must also submit a Permission Form and reapply for every semester that you take classes. Only students in the 10th – 12th grades can submit their applications online; other students must submit their applications in hardcopy via standard mail.

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Financial Aid

The first step in getting financial aid is to fill out the FAFSA, which is available for free at www.fafsa.gov. This form determines your eligibility for federal grant money, work-study programs, and loans. It is also often used to help in determining financial need for outside scholarships and awards.

Ohlone offers a number of different types of aid and assistance. Low-income students may qualify for state- and school-level grants in addition to federal grants. For example, the Board of Governor’s Fee Waiver Program will pay the enrollment fee for low-income students who fall within a certain bracket.

In addition to government aid, Ohlone has two types of scholarships. Ohlone College Foundation Scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate a concerted effort to succeed academically and/or financial need. In 2011, Ohlone awarded 211 of these scholarships, totaling over $100,000 in grant money, to deserving students. General Scholarships are awards that are offered by third parties. You can get help applying to outside scholarships through the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office.

One unique program that is available to Ohlone students is the City of Fremont Housing Scholarship Program. If you meet the minimum GPA requirement and are a full-time student, you may fill out the application to apply for reduced housing costs for up to 18 months. This program helps adult students afford a college education, even while supporting themselves.

Student Financial Aid Details

Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in California.

Students

Ohlone College has a diverse and unique student population. Ages can range from 8 years old to 87 years old, with over 50 percent of students being under the age of 25.

Students of all types can participate in the many clubs and organizations on campus. The Campus Activities Office offers a listing of the different clubs, as well as contact information and guidelines on how to join. Help fight for sustainability with the Ohlone Green Club, or build your cultural awareness with the Gay Straight Alliance or Muslim Student Association. You can also participate in student government by joining the Associated Students of Ohlone, which acts as a liaison between students and the administration. If you want to join a club that doesn’t exist yet, simply fill out a club charter form and become a new club president!

For an escape from studies and a bit of relaxation, visit the Newark Recreation Room. With a number of free activities, including pool tables, foosball, and video games, this facility is a great spot to meet up with friends or just take a break.

Career Services

The Career Center is dedicated to helping students pursue their options for employment. It offers a variety of services, including career testing for those who need guidance in choosing a career and Personal Development classes to help students reach their working goals. There is even an online job listing database with career development tools available just for students at MonsterTrak.com.

Ohlone partners with the Tri-Cities One-Stop Career Center on the Newark Campus, which offers more extensive job search workshops and resources. The One-Stop Career Center also works with recruiters and employers to help them find the most suitable student employees. All of these services are free to enrolled students.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Athletics

Ohlone College belongs to the Coast Conference, which allows competition between schools in the Greater Bay Area. The Renegades compete in men and women’s soccer, basketball, swimming and diving, and more. Renegade athletes often continue their education beyond Ohlone: 75 percent of those who participated in campus sports transfer to a four-year college.

The Total Health and Wellness Center is available to all students, and offers high-quality fitness classes at a low cost. You can take classes just to get in shape, or you can study the principles and background of exercise and work towards a Fitness Instructor Certificate of Accomplishment.

Additional School Information

Ohlone offers a number of special workshops, events, and activities to serve its unique and varied student population. Through Leadership Connection, the Campus Activities Office runs leadership workshops and classes to help students develop their public speaking, interpersonal communication, and goal setting skills.

Unity Week, presented by the Associated Students at Ohlone College, is held in the spring and brings the student body together in celebration. Experience free food, performances, music, lectures, and more, each hosted by different clubs and organizations on campus to promote awareness of their cause or minority group.

Finally, the library and bookstore help students supplement their classroom learning or complete research assignments right on campus, with free access to archives, computers, and research materials. If you ever need help with an assignment, you can also seek tutoring or coaching assistance from the library staff or a student organization.

Bibliography

“Ohlone College Admission Application Introduction.” CCCApply – Home. Ohlone College. Web. 20 July 2011.

Ohlone College Official Website, A World of Cultures United in Learning – Ohlone College, Fremont, Newark, East Bay Area, California. Web. 20 July 2011.

“Tri City Voice: Ohlone College: Unity Week 2004 | March 30, 2004.” Tri-City Voice Newspaper – Whats Happening – Fremont, Union City, Newark, California. Web. 20 July 2011.

Ohlone College