Counseling Department

Counseling services are essential for every college student whether you are excelling or struggling in your classes.  Counselors can make sure you're taking the right classes and have a realistic schedule based on your outside responsibilities such as work, family, and other obligations.  Counselors can provide you with the support and guidance to help you make informed decisions about colleges, majors, and career goals.  Counselors can connect you to campus resources to ensure you are receiving wrap around services to enhance your academic experience at Allan Hancock College.   

Ideally, you should plan to meet with a counselor once a semester.  A counselor can help you explore and define both academic and career goals and provide resources to use in the exploration process.  There may come a moment in your educational journey where you might feel discouraged or overwhelmed.  Don't hesitate to check in with a counselor.  We are here to support and encourage you along the way. 

Your counseling appointment is all about you and your educational goals.  So, it helps to do some prep work!  To ensure you get the most out of your counseling appointment, we suggest the following:

• Schedule a counseling appointment during your availability.  Don't schedule an appointment during valuable class time.  
• Write down your questions prior to your appointment. This ensures you ask all the important questions.
• Arrive to your counseling appointment 5-minutes prior to the start of your session.  You will be required to check-in at the front counter. 
• If you're considering earning an Allan Hancock College certificate and/or degree, check out our list of programs available to you.  
• If you're considering transferring to a university, check out our University Transfer Center and explore university options, majors/programs, and become familiar with our transfer resources.  Transferring to a university can be a complicated process, however counselors are here to help you understand the transfer requirements and prepare you for admission. 
• Unsure of your career goal?  Take a quick career quiz prior to your counseling appointment to get an idea of possible career options that match your likes and interests.  Bring  your results to your counseling appointment to get a conversation started.  You may also visit the Career Center and speak to a career counselor.   

• Take notes when you meet with a counselor.  Don't come empty handed.  Be prepared. 
• Create a semester by semester plan with a counselor to outline every class needed to earn your certificate, degree, and/or satisfy transfer requirements.
• Know your priority registration date which is located in your Hancock portal.  Your priority registration date is posted when the class schedule is available online.  Registering on time ensures you get into the classes needed to reach your goal in a timely manner. 
• Reference the class schedule and double check if your planned classes are being offered.  If not, see a counselor to update your semester by semester plan.
• Check to see if you have any registration holds.  You can view this information on your Hancock portal.
• Stick to the plan!  We know things happen that may alter your plan.  Schedule an appointment with a counselor to update your plan as needed.  

Frequently Asked Questions

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Before you schedule a counseling appointment, complete the following: 

• Appointments are only open to Hancock students.  An online admission application must be on file.  If you have been absent for two consecutive primary semesters (fall and spring), you are required to submit an admission application. 
• If you are an incoming student transferring from another college and need your transcript(s) evaluated, please take the following steps prior to scheduling your counseling appointment.
  1. Order all official transcripts to be directly sent to our Admissions and Records Office. 
  2. Wait for an email confirmation that your transcript(s) were received and evaluated. 
  3. Once confirmed, schedule your counseling appointment.

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Reasons to schedule a counseling appointment:

• Develop a Comprehensive Student Education Plan (SEP)- New or Update
• Explore majors
• External Transcript Evaluation
• Transfer Planning
• Career Planning
• Apply for a degree and/or certificate using external transcripts 
• Apply for a CSU and/or IGETC general education certification using external transcripts 
• Apply for an Academic Renewal using external transcripts 
• Review University Application
• Review Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) Application
• Appeal an Excessive Course Attempt (4th attempt)

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To schedule a counseling appointment, you are required to use the Successnet link below.  You will be able to schedule an appointment with a counselor in your area of interest.  

Schedule a Counseling Appointment

Helpful YouTube Videos:

How to schedule a counseling appointment

How to cancel a scheduled appointment

How to Find People in SuccessNet

Frequently Asked Questions

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Drop-In Questions:

• Adding/Dropping classes
• Apply for a degree and/or certificate with no external transcripts
• Apply for a CSU and/or IGETC general education certification with no external transcripts
• Academic Standing/Probation Questions
• CCPG Appeal
• Apply for an Academic Renewal with no external transcripts
• Apply for a Prerequisite Appeal
• Apply for Reinstatement (Dismissed Students)
• Requesting Excess Units
• Pass/No Pass Questions
• Student Services and Community Referrals

Due to high student demand, in-person and remote drop-in counseling may close intermittently throughout the day.  For faster counseling service, students enrolled in special programs are encouraged to seek counseling in the other programs before attempting to see a general counselor. 

Counseling Drop-In Hours:

Monday             8-6 p.m.
Tuesday            8-6 p.m.
Wednesday      8-4:30 p.m.
Thursday           8-4:30 p.m.
Friday                8-4 p.m.

Please arrive/call the Counseling Department to check-in.  Wait times may vary.  A counselor will call you on a first-come, first-served bases. 

Email your quick question to counseling. We encourage you to use your Hancock email account.  The email must include your Student ID number, better known as your H#.  The response time will depend on the volume of emails.  Most questions will be responded to within three business days.  Please email your questions to counseling@hancockcollege.edu.