Preparing For Your Advising Session

For the best advising experience, please complete the steps below as soon as possible in advance of your advising session.

1. Take a short online language placement test. Required for nearly all new students, placement on this test helps you and your advisor plan your coursework. This test is available in your application portal.

2. Set up your LVC email account. You can find your login information for your LVC account in your application portal under Forms/Info, or if you just deposited, within a few days from your enrollment date. If you experience any issues, visit our Information Technology website or email solutions@lvc.edu. All official college emails related to advising and enrollment will come to your LVC account, so you should check it regularly. 

3. If required...complete math placement testing. Only students majoring in Actuarial Science, Analytical Finance, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Computer & Data Science, Economics, Mathematics, and Physics, or those who wish to take Calculus I - MAS 161 have to take the math placement test.

The test is available here. Before you take the placement test, please note the following:

• To access the test, first, set up your LVC email account. You will find your account information in the Forms/Info tab of your application portal.
• You will complete the test on Canvas, our learning management system. Sign in with your LVC credentials. 
• We recommend setting aside 40 minutes of quiet, uninterrupted time. Please have paper and a pencil available. Calculators and other devices are not permitted.
• Email Dr. Ken Yarnall at yarnall@lvc.edu with questions.

4. Choose a First-Year Experience (FYE) Course. Most new students must complete two FYE courses during their first academic year. This small, seminar-style course develops writing and critical reading skills, and the one-credit companion course assists students with the academic and emotional transition to college. Each FYE course is centered around a specific topic such as The American Dream, Film & Society, How to Speak "Science", Sports Journalism, and more. Descriptions of the courses for Fall 2022 are available to review here. You will use the selection form in your LVC application portal (under the Forms/Info) to rank your top five FYE preferences. 

What to Expect During Your Advising Session

1. Get to know your advisor. Your advisor will play a significant role in your academic life. It is their responsibility to support and guide your success from the time you arrive until you cross the stage at graduation. They are experienced professionals in their field, but they are also mentors who care about your needs. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about internships, advice for succeeding academically, what you should be doing to prepare for the semester, or where they like to eat in the area. You want to cultivate this relationship throughout your college career!

2. Tell them information about yourself. Are you playing a sport? What was your favorite subject in high school? What are you most nervous about for college? Your advisor can help you make the smartest decisions for your future ONLY if they know the whole story.

3. With your advisor, you will complete the following:

• Declare your major and minor, if applicable: if you are undecided, choose our exploratory major.
• Schedule major courses, or if you’re an Exploratory major, schedule a variety of courses based on interests. You can search for courses in AccessLVC (select “Course Catalog”).
• Choose several alternate courses in case the chosen courses are full.

Finalized schedules will be available to you by mid-August, but you will have a good idea of what your schedule will look like at this meeting. Our Registrar’s Office goes through each student’s course selection individually, working diligently to try and get students their top course choices. These hand-crafted schedules are just one example of how we consider and value each and every student.