Steps to Success College Registration for New Students: New Student Admission Tips
Financial Aid – Apply by April 1 for the fall semester
Step 1: Complete the HCC application at: www.hccs.edu Select the admissions and registration button on the home page. Under the heading of New Student, select general admission steps.
Step 2: Test and/or submit an official transcript with the following test scores (An official transcript is one in a sealed envelope from an accredited school or an approved agency that evaluates international transcripts) You are encouraged to bring the official transcript to the location you wish to attend.
• TAKS 11
• ACT
• SAT
• COMPASS
• CELSA
• ACCUPLACER
• THEA
Step 3: Visit with a college counselor or advisor to:
A. Determine career goals and identify the appropriate major with consideration to length of study
http://imc02.hccs.edu/ccp/career-clusters.htm
B. Review your test scores or college transcript
C. Determine appropriate courses
D. Identify ADA needs
Step 4: Select course time, day, and location for your courses. You may attend multiple sites.
Step 5: Pay for your classes or arrange for a payment plan. You may pay for classes on-line or at the cashier’s office. Financial aid students must verify their funds are available.
Step 6: Obtain your HCC email address at the open lab, a HCC photo ID from the campus police, and a parking permit from the police.
Step 7: Purchase the correct books and supplies at the HCC bookstore after you receive your teacher's syllabus.
Step 8: Attend each class on the correct day, the correct time, and at the correct location.
Top 10 College Survival Terms
1. Application: An application is required to become a student at Houston Community College. An application defines you are interested in becoming a HCC students. When you move, or change your contact information, you must update your information at the college.
2. Registration: Registration is the process of selecting courses, class times and days including the site you desire to attend. Registration is completed on-line.
3. Degree Plan: A degree plan is your educational roadmap. It tells you the courses you must take to reach your educational goal.
4. Major: A college major is the area you plan to study. The length of time you desire to commit your educational endeavor is also considered.
5. Full-time Student: A full-time student enrolls in a minimum of 12 semester hours in the fall and the spring semesters. Successful college students study at least two hours for every hour they spend in class.
6. Part-time Student: A part-time student is enrolled in less than 12 hours per semester. The following is a good rule to follow regarding hours you work each week and the number of classes you take at HCC in the fall and spring terms:
A. 30-40 hours of work per week: two classes
B. 20-29 hours of work per week: three classes
C. 10-19 hours of work per week: four classes
7. Developmental or Preparatory Courses: These courses are designed to aid students to develop skills to be successful in college level classes. You will pay for them as you do for other college work and the grades you earn will impact your overall GPA.
8. Pre-Requisite: A pre-requisite is a class that you must complete before you register for the course where a pre-requisite class is identified. Example:
ENGL 2353 has a pre-requisite of ENGL 1302. A co-requisite is a class that you may take in the same semester.
9. Credit Hour: A three credit class represents approximately 48 hours of classroom instruction. Credit hours are the measuring tool of collegiate completion. A transfer degree is about 60 hours of college level work.
10. Add / Drop / Swap: When you add a class, you are taking an additional course with the courses you have already selected. Swap means to exchange a class. You may swap a class during the time period outlined in the schedule. Dropping a class means you no longer are enrolled in a specific course. It is the student’s reasonability to drop a class.
Created by Dr. Weldon Elbert, Kathy Kelly, and Mary Selby in March 2010
