Advising Process
Most students will be assigned a First-Year Advisor during their first term of study. Your advisor will assist you with your initial enrollment and transition to MTC and be a source of support throughout your time as a student. You are encouraged to become acquainted with them as soon as possible.
Most students increase their likelihood of success when they actively participate in the advising process. Participation means meeting and developing an ongoing relationship with your advisor, developing a plan of study, discussing any academic problem that you may experience, and contacting your advisor to set schedule advising sessions for future term registrations, review your educational goals and progress, or ask any questions.
Please remember your advisor is one of many resources available to help you succeed at MTC. As a college student, MTC believes that YOU are in the best position to make decisions about when to take the courses that comprise your program or will help you achieve your goals.
Although your advisor may make suggestions or discuss options concerning courses in your program, he or she will not make decisions for you. You are responsible for knowing course prerequisites as indicated in the catalog, as well which required and elective courses are necessary to complete your certificate, degree, or other goals. You are also responsible for knowing the approval or disapproval status of any transfer, examination, or life experience credit.
You are strongly encouraged to develop both short-term and long-term plans for completing courses for your certificate or degree program when you meet with your advisor. (See "Preparing for Advising") The advisor can answer your questions or help you obtain information.
When should I meet with my advisor?
After their initial enrollment/registration meeting, all MTC students should schedule an appointment with their advisor at two specific times throughout their enrollment:
To register for your second term; and,
During the term after you have earned 40-45 credit hours toward an associate degree (usually around your third term, if attending full-time or about 20 credit hours from program completion).
You may also need to meet with your advisor, program director, or dean:
If your cumulative grade point average (GPA) drops below 2.0 (“C” average)
If, by the fifth or sixth week of the term, it becomes evident that your academic work is below satisfactory (less than a grade of “C”) you will receive an Academic Improvement Notice from your instructor(s) that indicates the course(s) in which you are deficient. Your advisor will also be notified via the Aviso early alert notification system. If it is unclear how you can improve after talking to your course instructor, please see your academic advisor or program director or dean for improvement strategies.
If your academic record warrants academic warning, probation, or dismissal status, your department director or dean will notify you (see Academic Warning, Probation, and Dismissal). If you are on warning or probation status, you must meet with your department director or dean to develop strategies and a plan for improvement.
It is in your best interest to meet with your academic advisor at least one full academic term before you plan to graduate to make sure you plan to complete all program course requirements as expected and on schedule. Waiting until you are about to begin your final term is normally too late to correct deficiencies or other problems. Before registering for your last term of enrollment, you must meet with your advisor to ensure that you have fulfilled all degree or certificate requirements.
Whenever you need assistance and especially upon experiencing any circumstance which interferes with your success as a student, make an appointment to see your advisor.
If you are not required to meet with your advisor as indicated previously and have a clear understanding of which courses you should take next, you may register for classes without seeing an advisor. Be sure to register for classes that follow your academic plan.
Preparing for Advising
Listed below are suggestions to prepare you for a more productive advising session. Advanced preparation will increase the likelihood of getting the courses you desire and being placed into courses that are compatible with your skill level.
Your advisor’s role is not to choose your course schedule, but to discuss options, offer advice, and help you make sure you are on track to achieve your academic goals. It is important to be well prepared for your advising appointment.
Before the advising session:
It is recommended that you prepare a permanent folder to take to each advising session, which contains the following:
Your MTC Basic Skills Assessment (ACCUPLACER) and Technology Skills Test (TST) results;
Any previous college or high school transcripts;
High School Equivalency Test results (GED, HiSET, TASC), or articulation forms;
Your current MTC class schedule;
A self-assessment of your strengths and weaknesses that may affect your course selections (e.g. are you a morning person, effective time-manager, a self-starter?);
A clear understanding of your career goals, transfer plans, and possibly a formal career interest assessment;
Course enrollment policies and requirements of any financial aid that you receive;
A tentative schedule for the upcoming term, with several alternate courses selected.
Be careful not to “over-schedule” or take too many demanding courses at one time. Ask your advisor for suggestions.
NOTE: 12 credit hours = full time for financial aid purposes.
During the advising session:
Clarify your career and/or transfer goal with your advisor;
Tell your advisor how you are currently performing in your courses and about any trouble you had in previous courses. Be honest. Let your advisor know, for example, if you lack confidence in certain areas or disliked certain types of courses in the past.
Share your tentative schedule with your advisor.
Do not take on more courses than you can handle. For example, taking a heavy course load while you are working more than part-time and or/parenting dependent children may not be in your best interest.