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-in form to the Admissions Office (onlinel or in-person) - allow 72 hours for processing.
• Take the College Assessment (placement test), a schedule of test dates is available in the Admissions Office, your college application must be on file prior to the test date.
• Complete the College Online Orientation or attend the in-person Orientation sessions. The orientation is designed to give you a general understanding of what the college has to offer, its programs, services, policies, and procedures.
• 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.
• 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 want to ask a counselor. Check the Frequently Asked Questions link found on the counseling homepage.
• Be prepared for the cost of tuition and books, you may want to find out how the Financial Aid department can assist you.
• Schedule a counseling appointment by calling 408-848-4723. Check Location and Service Hours for counselor availability.

Step Three

• Meet with a counselor to review assessment results and prior academic records.
• Always have all your academic records (high school and college) 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 what student service programs may be suitable for you.

Step Four - the last step

• Register for your classes (when you pay, you are registered) either in-person or by using the online registration. You will need your Gavilan ID and Pin to use the online registration system.
• Select a counselor you wish to work with during your time at Gavilan and schedule an appointment to meet with them to develop an educational plan.

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!