You apply online. If you meet the minimum qualifications, you may select a time for your written exam. You may take this test and physical test (obstacle course) in the same weekend (if you are prepared). You then have to pass the PIQ (questionnaire) after which you will receive a call from your background investigator- four days later for me), psychological exam and interview (in Miramar/Scripps Ranch area) based on your exam answers, medical exam, polygraph and oral board (both at SDPD headquarters on Broadway). My background investigator was great, very invested in my journey and very supportive, as were those at the practice physical test. You are not locked into one academy; in other words, if you are initially on track to enter one, if you are not quite ready, you may just be pushed into a later one, rather than written off; very proud to have received an offer despite accepting elsewhere.