Registration is now open!

Join us for exciting workshops, to meet new friends, and to connect to the campus community!

Dates:  August 1st and August 2nd
Time:   9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Click here to complete the online registration form!

It was there 14 days ago in eServices…a full schedule of classes every morning with plenty of time to head to work in the afternoon.

It was all strategically planned out so p-e-r-f-e-c-t-l-y.

And then suddenly all of your classes are GONE…THEY’VE DISAPPEARED…WIPED AWAY FROM YOUR SCHEDULE because you forgot to pay your fees. 

UGH!

Once you enroll into your classes, you have a 14-day period to pay your fees either online or in person.  If not, you will be dropped from all enrolled courses.  (NOTE:  If you have a fee waiver, your tuition is covered.)

And here’s another thing to remember:  The 14-day period no longer applies once the semester begins.  Once the semester has started, enrollment fees are due the day of enrollment. This is true even if you are enrolling in a late-start class or from a wait list.

And, unfortunately, making a payment doesn’t get your schedule back…once you are dropped from a class, that lucky student that is first in line on the wait list will get your newly vacated spot.  You will have to start over again with finding any open classes or wait lists.

For more information, visit the Fees and Payment link.

In case you haven’t noticed, the most happening place on campus is the COUNSELING DEPARTMENT!

It is such a popular place that by 8:00 in the morning, students are forming a line to get their names on the “quick question” list.  Once you get your name on the “Quick Question” list, you will be handed a pink slip with importation information.  And, for some students, getting that pink slip is almost like getting a concert ticket to see their favorite artists…for free!

So, what exactly does getting a “pink slip” mean?

Aside from 30-minute appointments, counselors are also available during the day for “quick questions.”  “Quick questions” are meant exactly for that…quick questions!  Students who are seen during “quick questions” generally have about 15 minutes for assistance with planning classes for the next semester, reviewing graduation or transfer requirements, or discussing assessment results.  Anything else that requires more time – such as completing an educational planner or evaluating transcripts from outside of Los Rios – must be completed during an appointment.  (Note:  Appointments are made one week in advance.)

Oftentimes, students get confused about when to wait for their “quick question” time slot.  “Quick questions” are NOT appointments.  When you are signed in for a “quick question,” you will be notified when your time slot is.  For example, if your “quick question” time slot is from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., you will be seen by a counselor during that particular hour. 

Unfortunately, not everyone can get a pink slip.  It’s not that the Counseling Department doesn’t want to help students, it just means that the “quick question” list for that day is already full.  It is important to know that time slots are filled based on “first-come, first-served,” so a student who gets in line at 8:30 a.m. is more likely to get onto the “quick- question” list then a student who gets in line at 2:30 p.m. 

If you do happen to get a pink slip or need to make an appointment, here are a few tips to remember:

Wait in the lobby so that you can hear your name called.  If you decide to buy a soda in the cafeteria or decide to head to the bathroom down the hallway, you may not be able to hear the counselor call your name.  Once your name is called and you are not there, the counselor will go down the list to the next student that is waiting.

There are 3 students for every “quick question” hour.  You may be the third student on the list, so you may not be seen immediately at the start of the hour.  But, don’t worry…if your name is on the list, you WILL be seen!  (Unless, of course, you wander off and don’t hear your name get called!)

Be aware that the “quick question” time slot is approximately 15 minutes.  We wish we could give you more time, but with the registration period at its peak, we want to help as many students as possible throughout the day.  During the 15 minutes, ask for help on what is most important and urgent for you.  If there is additional time, we will answer as many questions as possible.

Know whether or not you need to see a counselor.  Students don’t necessarily have to see a counselor because you may actually need to head over to a different department.  For example, if you have forgotten your eServices password, the staff at the Admissions Office can help you.  Or, if you need help with the fee waiver, you can go to Financial Aid for assistance.  When you speak to a counseling clerk, please be very specific about what you need help with so that you can be directed to the appropriate place if needed.

Just as the lines are starting to form in the morning, the phones are also starting to ring.  Hearing the busy dial tone can get frustrating, especially when it seems like you’ve called 50 times over and over again.  Our phone lines are busy with other students calling for appointments or questions, but please keep trying.  If you are not able to catch us by phone, come by the Counseling Office in person when you are on campus.

Counselors can assist you with course selections toward your education goal, but they cannot actually enroll you into your classes.  If you need help with the enrollment process – such as putting classes into your shopping cart, searching for classes, or completing the Supplemental Enrollment Form, head over to the eServices Lab in Business Building 153 where Admissions staff can assist you.  Financial Aid is also located in the lab and can assist you with the FAFSA and fee waiver.

To avoid the busy lines, make sure to plan ahead!  For example, during the Fall 2012 semester, schedule an appointment with a counselor during the months of September and October.  Once the class schedules are available and registration begins in November, the Counseling Department gets busier and busier every day.

Did you know that enrollment fees will increase from $36 to $46 starting in Summer 2012?  Yes, that’s a TEN DOLLAR difference.  This means that if you are continuing as a full-time student next semester, you can expect to pay an additional $120.

On a positive note, attending a community college is still a significant savings compared to the costs of attending a CSU or UC to complete your lower division requirements.  In the end, you still come out ahead by enrolling at Sacramento City College.

But, because there is a fee increase and because of budget cuts affecting all community colleges in California, it is more important than ever to stay focused on your goals and to take your education seriously. During registration time, if you are able to grab the last open spot in any class, realize how lucky you are…there were probably a hundred other students (if not more!) trying to get into that same class.

So, with fewer course sections to choose from, planning your education is crucial so that you know exactly what you need to do to complete your goals.  Otherwise, for some students, this could mean that they may be at SCC a little longer than expected.

Click here to continue reading the article…

The Counseling Department and Transfer Center are on Facebook!

Log onto Facebook and “like” us at www.facebook.com/SCCCounseling to receive important information and updates.  To “like” the Transfer Center, search for the words “Sacramento City College Transfer Center.”

Also, there is a Facebook group just for new students!  This is a chance to meet other students who are new to college and to share your exciting experiences.  Click here to view the page and request to join the group!