Important milestones and guidelines for making decisions
Your academic advisor plays a critical role in helping you identify and achieve your academic goals. During the advising process, students will engage in a decision-making process to discover their maximum educational potential through communication and information exchanges with an advisor. Additionally, advising is ongoing, multifaceted, and the responsibility of both student and advisor.
They will work with you on Academic Completion Plans, Academic Exploration, Navigating College Challenges, Transfer from HCC, and will also be able to direct you to important college resources.
In order to get the most out of your relationship with your advisor, be sure to review the following timeline frequently. It outlines questions to consider at various points in your college career, based on the number of credits you have earned along the way. You and your advisor will answer these questions together, as necessary, to ensure you’re progressing toward your goal in a timely and efficient manner.
Visit the tabs below to find out what to do to ensure success at each step along your pathway through college.
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Prior to Meeting with an Advisor at HCC
Prior to meeting an advisor, these steps must be completed.
1. New Student Enrollment Checklist
2. You must know your HCC ID and Login Information
3. Determine your eligibility to take college level English and Math
- Review the multiple measures available, including high school GPA and placement testing here.
4. Prior Credits
Have you taken AP or IB Tests?
- You must order your official scores be sent directly from AP/IB to HCC.
- You also must request for these to be evaluated using the transcript evaluation request form below.
AP Scores: College Board
IB Scores: IB Results
Do you have transfer credits from another college or university?
- Order an official transcript from all of your prior college or universities and have them sent directly to HCC.
- After applying, complete and submit the HCC Transcript Evaluation Request Form.
5. Read the Advising Syllabus
All new students (non-visiting students) are encouraged make a "New Student" appointment with an advisor.
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Advising Milestones: 0-15 Credits Earned
- Check your HCC email daily
- Know who your advisor is and how to contact them.
- Create an academic plan.
- If undeclared or still exploring, use campus resources to engage in program of study discernment.
- Develop time management and academic success skills.
- Participate FULLY in academic and completion advising.
- Be prepared with questions for your advisor.
- Discover/access skills, values, talents, strengths and challenges.
- Learn to navigate Self-Service.
- Know where to find the Academic Calendars and be familiar with deadlines such as add/drop dates, registration dates, etc.
- Schedule your next term courses on your own in Self Service.
- Learn your general education and program of study requirements.
- Begin to explore opportunities to meet your personal, academic, and professional goals
- Consider getting involved in campus activities
- Engage with your Handshake Account to view internships and employment opportunities.
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Advising Milestones: 15-30 Credits Earned
- Check your HCC Email Daily
- Complete ENGL 121: College Composition within the first 24 credit hours or the semester following the completion of any pre-requisites you need for ENG 121.
- Complete college level math within the first 24 credit hours or the semester following the completion of any pre-requisites you need for the college level math course required for your area of study.
- Identify transfer colleges or universities if your goal is to complete a bachelor’s degree.
- Begin to connect with that institution and understand transfer requirements.
- Consider job shadowing
- Engage with Handshake Account to view internships and employment opportunities.
- Register for your next term courses on your own.
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Advising Milestones: 31-45 Credits Earned
- Check your HCC email daily.
- Review and revise your academic plan.
- Register for your next term courses on your own.
- Develop relationships with faculty.
- Schedule a check-in appointment with your advisor.
- Explore opportunities to further your personal, professional, and academic goals.
- Seek out career resources.
- Begin to attend Career Fairs, if you plan to work after you complete your Area of Study.
- Understand specific requirements for competitive transfer programs. Stay Informed!
- Become aware of financial aid, scholarship, and application deadlines for 4-year colleges and universities.
- If transferring prior to earning a degree, check out the Reverse Transfer program.
- Attend Transfer Fairs and explore ARTSYS, if you plan to transfer after your completion of your Associate Degree.
- Enhance your Education with Student Life.
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Advising Milestones: 45+ Credit Hours Earned
