In order to ensure a successful transition into the college, students should accomplish the steps described in the Columbia College Welcome email: advisement, placement and orientation. Check your student email @my.yosemite.edu account or call The Welcome Desk at 209-588-2194 for support from a Student Ambassador.
1. Academic Advisement
Contact an Academic Counselor to set first semester plans based on your educational goal(s). This not only sets you up for success, but also qualifies you for priority registration in each semester following your first semester.
Also, be sure to explore our Special Programs to learn if you qualify for additional legal or financial resources, support and academic counseling services:
- Dream Resource Center
- DSPS: Disabled Student Programs & Services
- EOPS & CARE: Extended Opportunity Program & Services and Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education
- Phoenix Scholars Foster Youth Services
- TRIO SSS & MEOC: Student Support Services
- CalWORKS: California Work Opportunities and Responsibilities to Kids
- Welcome Home Program
- VA: Veterans Benefits & Services
2. Placement
A new state law (AB 705) was written to help students enter and complete transfer-level English and Math in one year.
- What is AB 705?
AB 705 is a law that requires California Community Colleges to maximize the probability that a student will enter and complete transfer-level coursework in English and Math within a one year time frame. Learn more about AB 705 by visiting the CCCCO Assessment Page.
Visit the "Math and English Placement" page in the current academic year's Columbia College catalog to learn more about how incoming students determine their college level math and English placement. Please carefully review math, English, and support course options as they relate to your educational goal. Call the Counseling Desk at (209) 588-5109 if you have additional questions about this process.
3. Orientation
Orientation is a requirement for Self-service priority registration, and Columbia College resources, services, requirements, policies and strategies for college success are introduced. For more information on which courses meet the requirement, please visit the Orientation page
Graduating local High School seniors, newly transferring students entering Columbia, or those returning to Columbia after some time away can currently access the following types of support:
- Remote Advisement with an academic counselor
- Use your name and w# to access a tutorial on Columbia’s online Required Communication Tools (Student Email, Zoom, and Starfish)
- Connect with peers one on one in a Pre-Advising Session with a Student Ambassador, either in person or via Zoom. Click here to schedule.
- Hands-on support registering for classes (screenshot examples to help familiarize you with connectColumbia)
Please check this page and our Orientation page regularly for the most current information available.