Advising Guide

Advising

• During your first semester at ACC, meet with your academic advisor for a one-hour First-Semester Meeting to discuss your goals, explore programs, plan courses, and develop a student success plan.
• Meet with an Advising & Transfer Peer Advisor to see how they can support you.
• Review your Academic Plan for course recommendations and ordering of your courses.
• Understand how to use DegreeCheck.
• Select courses and prepare to register on-time for your second semester.

Courses

• Complete AAA 1001- College 101: The Student Experience (1 credit) in your first semester if you are a new student to college within an Associate's Degree program.
• Complete English and Math within your first two semesters. 

Student Success Workshops

• Connect with [Student Support Services]
• Attend a Student Success Workshop 

Student Support Services 

Academic

• Tutoring and Learning Resources
  • Participate in free in-person and online tutoring services.

Financial

• Financial Aid Office
  • Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA) each academic year.
  • Need help with the FAFSA form? Sign up for a free FAFSA Lab.
• Submit the ACC Scholarship Application each academic year.
• Apply for College Opportunity Fund (COF) and authorize it in myACC each semester.

Wellness & Basic Needs

• Child Development Center
  • On-campus childcare with classes for young toddlers through pre-k.
• Dean of Students Office
  • Prioritize your mental health with on-campus and virtual Counseling Services.
  • Connect with basic needs resources, including the ACC Food Pantry, Student Emergency Fund, and community services.
• Fitness Center
  • Free for students! Train, get in a fitness routine, or de-stress.

Support Programs & Services

• Career Forward - A program for individuals who are currently a part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training (E&T) program, known as Employment First (EF).
• Disability Access Services - Partners with students with disabilities or temporary impairment to provide equitable and fair access to education and day-to-day activities and programs offered at the college.
• TRIO Student Support Services - Provides personalized attention to first-generation and low-income students and students with disabilities. 

Transfer

• Opt-into Bridge to Bachelors (for New-First Time Anywhere students) through myACC to indicate preferred transfer institutions.
• Understand your Guaranteed Transfer (GT) courses within the state of Colorado.
• Review your program type; Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees are the two transfer based program options.
• Dive into Colorado Transfer Degrees or find a more specialized program guide that is university specific for mapping out your courses.

Career: Explore Your Future

Start discovering how your interests and strengths align with potential careers. 

Meet with Career Services to: 

• Identify career paths that match your skills and interests.
• Learn how to research industries, job trends, and salaries.
• Get help being connected to a professional to conduct an informational interview.
• Sign-up for Handshake and begin building your profile. Handshake is ACC’s online job board for on and off campus jobs and internships.
• Attend a Career Services workshop or event.
• Attend a part-time job fair (typically offered at the start of fall term).
• Attend a career exploration workshop. 

• Stay connected through the following applications:
  • Navigate360 Student on GooglePlay or Apple Store
  • ACC Alert
  • Microsoft Outlook - Check your student email account regularly!
• Attend campus events like the Welcome Back BBQ, Warm Winter Welcome, Passport to Success to meet your support networks at ACC.

Advising 

• Meet with your academic advisor for a half-hour Semester Check-In Meeting to review your progress, evaluate program fit, develop a 2-semester course plan, and update your student success plan.
• Review your DegreeCheck each semester for your GPA, and overall academic progress.

Courses 

• Complete English and Math in your first 2 semesters.
• Complete core courses that are foundational to your program.
• Attend instructor's office hours within your field of study to gain mentorship within your desired career field.

Student Success Workshops

• Attend a Student Success Workshop 

Transfer

• Understand how your courses may transfer by creating a free Transferology.com account
• Get involved on campus with Transfer Events
  • Table Visits on 2nd floor Lobby in Main Building or 1st floor Learning Commons at Sturm Collaboration Campus
  • Transfer Tuesdays in Spring Semesters
  • Transfer Fair in the Fall Semesters
• Explore University Options for your transfer
  • College Scorecard
  • College Navigator
  • Big Future- College Board
• Transferring early prior to completing an Associates Degree? Learn more about how you can reverse transfer after taking 15 credits.

Career: Learn by Doing

Gain real world insight through hands-on experiences.

Meet with Career Services to explore opportunities for:

• Job shadowing
• Internships
• Mentoring
• Worksite tours
• Develop your LinkedIn and Handshake profiles.
• Attend a Career Services workshop or event to build skills and expand your experience.

• Join a student club or create your own!
• Attend campus events.
• Attend your instructors office hours for support in courses or recommendations on your academic career.
• Within your course(s), find a study group or form one for your major courses.
• Work on campus; apply to become a peer mentor, tutor, or ambassador if opportunities are available.

Advising 

• Meet with your academic advisor for a half-hour Semester Check-In Meeting.
• Review your DegreeCheck each semester for your GPA, and overall academic progress.

Courses 

• Begin completing field-specific courses.
• Attend instructor's office hours within your field of study to gain mentorship within your desired career field.

Student Success Workshops

• Attend a Student Success Workshop. 

Transfer

• Review the Transfer Requirements for colleges or universities that you are considering.
• Start to complete your Transfer Admissions Application - consider applying during Colorado Free Application Day$ in October!
• Seek out any unofficial evaluations that can be completed prior to attending.
• Apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and include ACC among other colleges or universities you are planning on attending. 

Career: Build Your Network

Strengthen your professional connections as you prepare for your next step.

Meet with Career Services to: 

• Learn how to ask for strong references.
• Continue building your Handshake and LinkedIn profiles.
• Identify and fill skill gaps based on job postings or career goals.
• Seek out a mentor (faculty member, supervisor, or professional contact).
• Attend a networking event or employer meet-up.
• Begin developing your resume and cover letter.

Engagement 

• Participate in Academic Experiences, such as Undergraduate Research, Service Learning, and Study Abroad.
• Join a student club or create your own!
• Attend campus events.

Advising 

• Meet with your academic advisor for a half-hour DegreeCheck Review Meeting to discuss your progress and next steps.
• Review your DegreeCheck each semester for your GPA, and overall academic progress.

Prepare for Next Steps 

• Submit your transfer admissions application.
• Apply to graduate!

Student Success Workshops

• Attend a Student Success Workshop.

Transfer

• Check application portals for the status of your application and for any emails with the admissions decision
• Complete scholarship applications for universities that you are considering attending. Most scholarship applications will open October and go through March or April.
• Review any admitted student next steps:
  • Enrollment Deposits (if applicable)
  • Housing Applications
  • Orientation and Registration
• Send your official transcript once all of your grades are in for your last semester

Career: Launch Your Career

You’re almost there, get ready to transition confidently into the workforce.

Meet with Career Services to:

• Finalize and tailor your resume and cover letter.
• Learn how to search for jobs effectively and track your applications .
• Attend an employer hiring event or job fair (hint: check out the events page on Handshake).
• Fill out your First Destination Survey, when you graduate, to let ACC know your after-graduation plans.

• Attend a Grad Fair and RSVP for Commencement.
• Request letters of recommendation from faculty, mentors, or employers or avenues to stay connected after graduation.
• Celebrate! Participate in the Annual Commencement Ceremony.
• Stay connected through the ACC Alumni Network.