Probation
I got a letter saying I am on academic probation. What does this really mean?
Academic probation means you have attempted 12 or more units and earned a grade point average below "C" or 2.0. It means that, so far, you are not succeeding to the level required for good standing in a college; it also means something needs to change. The letter invited you to see a counselor to work through how to be more successful in your courses. This counseling is not to punish you; rather we hope to help you solve the difficulties that caused these grades to be earned. As part of probation, you are limited to taking 13 or fewer units per semester, and may be required to take certain courses, or be barred from certain courses until your academic performance improves.
My letter says "progress probation." I've got good grades. What's the problem?
Progress probation means that you have enrolled in 12 or more units at Sierra, but have either withdrawn or received a "no credit" or "incomplete" in half or more of your courses. A pattern of withdrawing or not finishing courses does waste your time-and ours. Often, committing to a more realistic plan of how many courses to take will remedy this problem. Sometimes it means you have very high expectations of yourself, but your current life situation will not let you meet those expectations. We can work with you to develop a more sustainable plan to achieve your goals.
Student Educational Plan
What is a Student Education Plan (SEP) and do I need one?
Yes, you need one! A SEP or Student Educational Plan is like a personal map that you develop with your counselor. The SEP "map" is designed to illustrate what courses you should complete semester by semester in order to successfully meet your educational goal. If you have an educational goal, you should meet with your counselor regularly to develop and update your SEP.
Do I need to make an appointment for an SEP or can I just drop in?
You should arrange a counseling appointment to insure the best possible advising and planning for a SEP. Often, the questions raised in exploring your educational goals require more time than is allowed in a short drop-in visit.
Transfer
Can I just take my general education requirements at Sierra, and then take my major courses after I transfer?
That is usually a bad idea. Most majors have lower division prerequisites or requirements that must be completed at a community college. You will save time and money by completing both general education AND lower division major preparation before you transfer. If you are applying to a competitive college or major, the completion of major courses will greatly increase your chances of being accepted.
Aside from the general education requirements for transfer, how do I know if I have met the requirements for my major?
Project Assist, at its website (www.assist.org) provides current articulation agreements for majors between Sierra College and most colleges and universities in California. Additional information and assistance is available through your counselor or the Transfer Center.
What are the differences between the UC, CSU, and independent college systems? How do I decide which one is best for me?
Colleges and universities vary greatly in the type of majors offered, requirements, and educational philosophies. While the University of California (UC) system is world renowned as a research institution, it provides a solid undergraduate experience well suited for most students. The requirements for entry to UC are easier from community college than from high school; for example, UC Davis accepts most transfer students with college grade point averages above 2.9. The California State University (CSU) system is the largest bachelor's degree granting system in the world, with 23 campuses, and provides access to quality degree programs all over California. The most common destination for Sierra College transfers is CSU Sacramento. There are also over sixty private colleges and universities in California, each unique in one way or another. We have negotiated agreements with several of these private institutions to help you make a successful transfer. The choice of whether to go to any of these three kinds of colleges, not to mention out-of-state colleges, is not easy. Your counselor can assist you in choosing the college that best fits your educational goals and personal situation. Information is also available at the Transfer Center.
Why don't all of Sierra's courses transfer?
Some courses are designed to prepare you for transfer level work. Often, students have gotten rusty on their math or writing skills, or never developed them in high school. Some students have never become effective readers. We have courses in each of these areas to make you a competent "university level" student. Those units are not transferable-they're just critical! Note that the same courses often are taught at university, without the credit counting toward graduation there either.
What do I have to do to get in to Cal Poly or UC Berkeley or Stanford, or one of the other top universities?
First, you need to learn about the university in which you're interested. Browse its catalog and its website. Get clear exactly which of its degree programs you are interested in or would consider. Track the coursework in one of those degree programs to see exactly what you would be taking. If you think it is a program you want, check www.assist.org to see if Sierra College has an "articulation agreement" with that department at that university. If we do, it will list the major preparation courses available at Sierra College. Then see a counselor to find out what the other requirements for entry will be-they vary significantly from campus to campus. Our counselors have access to this information, and will work with you to develop a plan for transfer.
How can I be sure I'll be accepted?
Most universities are very straightforward about their requirements and competition level. The counseling department keeps track of who is accepted from Sierra and so can give you a realistic prediction of whether you are a strong candidate. For example, most CSU campuses, and most majors at those campuses, are open to students who complete 60 transferable units, and have taken oral communications, English composition, critical thinking, and university-level math, and a good portion of their other general education, with a "C" average. Most UC's are open to students with 60 units and certain general education requirements and a "B" or even "B-" average. These are very attainable requirements. A few universities are extremely selective; and some majors in other universities are selective as well. Stanford and Caltech are examples of the "extreme" category. Berkeley is very selective, but we still transfer dozens of students there each fall. Major programs like Nursing are selective at most schools. So there is no general answer to this question--it is always a matter of checking the school and major specifically.
What kinds of transfer information are available at Sierra?
Our counseling staff keeps informed on transfer requirements of universities and colleges throughout California, and has access to many information sources to help students select and enter colleges all over the United States. Moreover, we are able to write Transfer Admission Agreements guaranteeing acceptance at several colleges in Northern California, including UC Davis. The Transfer Center provides many resources to assist students, including workshops, appointments with university representatives, catalogs, applications, as well as our annual Transfer Day, when representatives of over fifty colleges come to campus.