Advising
Welcome to Academic Advising
The academic Advising, Career and Transfer Services (ACT) Team provides integrated academic and career services to students. NVC and the ACT team are committed to creating opportunities for student success.
Advising Mission
The Academic Advising office at Northwest Vista College is committed to providing quality academic advising services and information about available resources to support students in achieving their desired goal. We will guide students towards completion of a certificate and/or Associate degree and support their transition to a four-year institution or the workforce.
Are you a new, returning or transfer student?
We are excited to help you get started on your educational journey! Before seeking advising services, please click here determine the admissions steps that apply to you.
What services can I obtain from the ACT Team?
Academic Advising Services - are provided via phone, email, chat and zoom to help you in the method that works best for you. All currently enrolled students have been assigned a Certified Academic Advisor. Please check your ACES email for information regarding who your assigned advisor is and how to schedule an appointment. Transient students are encouraged to talk to their home institution advisor regarding what classes to take while at NVC.
- First Time In College Students
- Continuing Students
- Returning and Transfer Students
- Transient Students
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If you have completed your enrollment checklist, please sign up for the required New Student Orientation/Advising session HERE.
Once you have registered for a session, you will receive communication regarding how to log into the NSO zoom session and the documents you will need to help you through the registration process. Please come prepared to the New Student Orientation by:
- Complete the Student Demographic Survey in ACES at the beginning of the registration process
- Logging into the Zoom session through your computer- this will ensure that you have the ability to share screen with the advisor and see all the portions of the screen to help you select your classes
- Having the email sent to with your advising appointment time and Individual Registration Guide accessible
- Be prepared to use Firefox or Chrome web browsers to register for classes (other browsers will cause errors in the registration process)
Your first advising session will be with a certified advisor during the New Student Orientation, where you will discuss what classes you should take your first semester.
You will be assigned an advisor once you have registered for classes and will receive an email through ACES at the start of your first semester regarding who your advisor is and how to schedule an appointment.
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Academic Advising Services - are provided via phone, email, chat and zoom to make sure we are helping you in the manner that works best for you. You are encouraged to meet with your advisor every semester to ensure you are staying on track towards accomplishing your educational and career goals. It is especially important to meet with your advisor at important touchpoints of your academic journey, such as when you earn 15 credit hours (completion of 1st or 2nd semester), 30 hours (halfway through your degree plan), and 45 credit hours (preparing for transferring, graduation or entering into the workforce). Not sure how to set up an appointment? View the step by step Scheduling an Appointment guide.
The following services do require an Advising appointment:
- If you are being asked for an "alternate PIN" when trying to register
- Did you receive an email from your instructor and /or advisor asking you to contact them? See more information about Early Alert and why it is important for you to talk to your instructor and advisor when you receive these emails.
- Career Exploration- if you are unsure which career field/ choice is best for you
- Change of Major
- Degree Planning, Schedule Building, and Updating your Individual Success Plans in GPS
- Transfer Planning- to help you prepare to transfer to a 4-year university or college
- Financial Aid Appeals
- Academic Probation or Academic Dismissal students- must meet with assigned advisor every semester
- Graduation Applications
- Need to request permission to take additional hours? Please view the Petition for Overload web page for information about how to complete the petition process. Forms may be accessed upon completion of an advising appointment with your assigned certified advisor. Overload Petitions forms submitted without prior advising may not be accepted. Petitions must be submitted a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the semester starting.
Additional Advising Resources:
- Want more information about career exploration, transfer services and job readiness such as resume reviews, preparing for interviews and job search assistance? Visit the Career and Transfer Services page to learn more.
- Are you a veteran or dependent and need assistance getting your classes certified, renewing or applying for Hazelwood, or have general advising questions? Visit the Veterans Center for information.
- Ready to Graduate? Graduation Advising
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Are you transferring to Northwest Vista College? Visit the Transfer and Former Students page to learn more about applying for admission, enrolling in classes and meeting with an Enrollment Coach if you need additional help through the process.
Students returning or transferring in who have been academically dismissed may visit the Academic Dismissal Petition Process page for information on how to complete the petition process.
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If you are trying to register for summer classes recommended by your University advisor, and are receiving a registration error, you may receive assistance through our online chat service. Transcripts showing completion of prerequisite courses will be required to be provided at time of assistance, and an official transcript must be sent to NVC by your home institution showing final grades. It is recommended you speak with your home institution advisor to determine what classes to take that will transfer back to your current degree program.
How do I see an academic advisor?
Please see below the types of advising services offered and in what format. Dates and times may vary, therefore we recommend you check for updates often.
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Online Chat & Drop-In Advising Sessions |
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Available (Fall 2022 Hours): Thursdays 9:00 am-1:00 pm
Drop in sessions will be available for current NVC students who are in need of quick assistance. Visit the Advising Services office to see an advisor during the drop in hours listed below: Mondays
Thursdays
For First Time in College students in need of their New Student Orientation and first Advising Session or if you have questions on the enrollment process, please visit with our Vista Central Admissions team for support. |
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10-15 minutes in length |
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Meet with any available advisor |
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Services Available: Drop in advising sessions are quick, 15 minute or less sessions for current students to address holds, registration issues or general advising questions. For degree planning and graduation applications, please make an appointment with your assigned Certified Advisor. Students will be admitted to the advising room as the next advisor becomes available.
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| Advising Appointment Sessions |
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Please check your ACEs for an email from your assigned advisor with information on how to contact and schedule your advising session. You may also use the How to Schedule an Advising Appointment Quick Guide. Advising appointments will be 30-45 minutes in length. Appointments are not able to be scheduled for the same day, and appointment availability is open in 2-week increments. Please check the availability regularly for updated availability if all slots are filled. |
Where is Enrollment Management held? Records Office
How-to videos and guides
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Alamo Colleges District Registration Tutorial |
How to build your individual success plan in GPS |
How to prepare when planning to transfer |
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ACES Registration Guide (PDF) |