New Students, Start Here!

Guide for New Students

Welcome to Gavilan College. We know you have made the best decision possible by choosing to attend our college. The Counseling Department's goal is to get you started, guide you through the enrollment process, and help you feel confident about your decision to start your educational journey.

Step One

• Complete a college application and turn it in to the Admissions Office - allow 8 days or more for processing.
• Take the College Assessment (placement test), a schedule of test dates is available online, your college application must be on file prior to scheduling a test date.
• Obtain your Gavilan ID and PIN by going to Self-Service Banner and click on Get your Gavilan ID and Pin. If the system cannot find your Gavilan ID number it may be because you have not waited 8 working days for your Admissions application to be processed.   If you did not include a social security number on your application you will need to visit the Admissions & Records office for assistance.
• Complete the College Online Orientation or attend the in-person Orientation sessions (if available). The orientation is designed to give you a general understanding of what the college has to offer, its programs, services, policies, and procedures.
• New students (students who have never attended college) must complete the college orientation prior to meeting with a counselor.
• Tour the campus, get to know your surroundings, you will feel right at home!
• Print Admission checklist for new students and follow instructions.

Step Two

• Read the Schedule of Classes and Catalog - available online, Admissions Office, or Bookstore.
• If you have not done so, obtain your Gavilan Id and Pin number; your college application must be processed to access this information.
• Identify courses that you find interesting and make a list of questions that you may want to ask a counselor. Check the Frequently Asked Questions link found on the counseling homepage for answers to common questions.
• Be prepared for the cost of tuition and books, you may want to find out how the Financial Aid department can assist you.
• Contact the Counseling Department for an appointment or Walk-in Service Check Location and Service Hours for counselor availability and use the web-based counseling appointment system. Only Walk-in services are available during January, June, July, and August.

Step Three

• Meet with a counselor to review assessment results and prior academic records.
• Always have all your academic records (high school) and test scores (Gavilan Assessment or Advance Placement Test Scores) on your person when meeting with a counselor.
• Be prepared to review your educational goals, interests, and first-semester course selections when you meet with a counselor.
• Counselors can answer many questions and address concerns that you may have regarding course selections, unit loads, finances, or any other issue that may influence your decision to enroll at Gavilan College. Be sure to ask your questions!
• Discuss with your counselor which student service program may be suitable for you.

Step Four - the last step

• Register for your classes using the Self-Service registration. You will need your Gavilan ID and Pin to use the online registration system.
• Payment due dates are listed online.  If payment is not received by the deadline, students may be unenrolled/deregistered from all their classes. Check with the Financial Aid Office for information regarding fee waivers and financial assistance.
• Select a counselor you wish to work with during your time at Gavilan and schedule an appointment to develop an educational plan. Once your educational plan is created you will be able to access it online.

The Counseling Department is available to assist you, please check our homepage for additional information and services. Good luck with your first semester, you are well on your way!