Advising/Counseling

Click on a question to go to the response.

1. When is the Counseling Center open?
2. When is the Academic Advising Center open?
3. How do I return to Bergen after being Academically Suspended or Dismissed?
4. How do I return to Bergen after being on Academic Probation?
5. How can I check my progress toward graduation?
6. How can I meet with someone to review my academic record and educational plans?
7. How can I change my major/change my curriculum?
8. How do I get into a Health Career program (Nursing, Radiography, Sonography, etc..)?
9. I am a new student. Can someone help me plan my schedule? When can I register?
10. What is Introduction to the College Experience (IST-121)?
11. How can I get information about transferring to a 4 year college?

1.When is the Counseling Center open?
The Counseling Center is generally open Monday - Thursday from 8:30am - 7:00pm, and Friday from 8:30am - 5:00pm, when classes are in session. The office is closed on Fridays during the summer. Call 201-447-7211, to make an appointment.

During Late Registration periods, the Counseling Center is generally open from 8:30am - 6:30pm; this may change according to the published registration schedule. During Late Registration periods, Counselors are available on a walk-in basis.

2. When is the Academic Advising Center open?
The Academic Advising Center is generally open from Monday - Thursday from 10:00am - 6:00pm, when classes are in session. Call 201-612-5480 to confirm their schedule before coming in.

3. How do I return to Bergen after being Academically Suspended or Dismissed?
Complete the attached reinstatement form and call the Counseling Center, 201 447-7211, to schedule an appointment with a Counselor.

Pay the 25.00 reinstatement fee at the Bursar Window, A-229.

Bring the completed reinstatement form to your appointment with the Counselor.

4. How do I return to Bergen after being on Academic Probation?
Students on Academic Probation are required to meet with a Counselor prior to registering for classes, generally by appointment. Call the Counseling Center, 201 447-7211, to schedule an appointment.

It will be helpful for you to review your grade report/unofficial transcript (go to WebAdvisor to print a copy). The Counselor may require or recommend that you retake courses in which you earned grades of E, F, or D.

5. How can I check my progress toward graduation?
Go to the Student menu on WebAdvisor and print a Program Evaluation. Stop in to the Academic Advising Center if you have questions about your Program Evaluation.

6. How can I meet with someone to review my academic record and educational plans?
Faculty Advisors are available on a walk-in basis when classes are in session and during the late registration periods. The Advising Center is generally open Monday - Thursday from 10am - 6pm. Call the Advising Center at 201 612-5480 to confirm their schedule. It will be helpful for you to print and review a copy of your Program Evaluation (student menu of Web Advisor) prior to dropping in.

Counselors are available by appointment in the Counseling Center. Call the Counseling Center, 201 447-7211, to schedule an appointment. During some late registration periods, appointments are not scheduled and you will be advised to drop in. It will be helpful for you to print and review a copy of your Program Evaluation (student menu of Web Advisor) prior to your appointment.

7. How can I change my major/change my curriculum?
Call the Counseling Center, 201 447-7211, to schedule an appointment regarding Change of Curriculum. It will be helpful if you review the curriculum possibilities in the College Catalog and use the Program Evaluation feature in WebAdvisor to explore some What if I Changed My Major? options.

8. How do I get into a Health Career program (Nursing, Radiography, Sonography, etc ...)?
Admission to Health Career Programs is limited to a specific number of candidates each year.

See page 16 of the College Catalog for entrance requirements or the Health Career Programs (PDF) brochure.

Prospective students should indicate their interest in a Health Career program on their application for admission.

Current degree-seeking students should make an appointment with a Counselor in the Counseling Center. The Counselor will review the student’s high school and college record, and prepare change of curriculum forms, if appropriate.

9. I am a new student. Can someone help me plan my schedule? When can I register?
New students are permitted to register after the Priority Registration for continuing students is over.

For new students, your basic skills placements are important in determining your first semester courses, so after you receive your basic skills placement results, you will be invited to a New Student Advising Workshop. During this workshop, Counselors and Faculty Advisors will help you review your placement test scores, identify appropriate courses, and review important information from the College Catalog. The Counselors and Advisors will teach you how to build a schedule and prepare the registration forms, so you can register.

Students registered with the Office of Specialized Services or the Equal Opportunity Fund (EOF), or placed into the AIMS (Academic Monitoring and Intervention System) will be directed to attend different programs.

Please call the Academic Advising Center 201-612-5480 if you have received your test scores or transfer credit evaluation but do not receive an invitation to a New Student Advising session.

10. What is Introduction to the College Experience (IST-121)?
This is a 2 credit, 3 hour college level course that explores topics such as study skills, test-taking strategies, career exploration, time and stress management as well as other areas related to issues college students are concerned about. Taught by counselors and teaching faculty, students will be presented with information that will help them become successful in college as well as life. Check the Registration Booklet for IST-121 course offerings.

11. How can I get information about transferring to a 4 year college?
Transfer Advising Groups Students enrolled in English Basic Skills courses or English Composition should attend a Transfer Advising Group workshop. Transfer Counselors will meet with students in small groups throughout the Fall and Spring semesters to present a full outline of the requirements and timelines necessary to help ensure a smooth transition to a four-year college. Individual appointments may be recommended as a follow up.

Transfer Express Students ready to transfer and in need of some words of advice and encouragement can consider Transfer Express. At Transfer Express, Transfer Counselors are available at designated times throughout the Fall and Spring semesters in the Advising Center, Room A-101 for quick questions about sending transcripts, completing an application, and what to do when. Individual appointments may be recommended as a follow up.

Transfer Day and Transfer Evening Representatives from NJ and out of state colleges are invited to Bergen for Transfer Day in the Fall and Transfer Evening in the Spring so students may meet with college representatives directly. The representatives will answer questions and provide admissions information.

Transfer Resources Many resources are available for student use in the Counseling Center (A-118). Students can review college catalogs or pick up a copy of the Transfer Guide or Transfer Connection. Specific BCC course equivalents or "Best Bets" for Montclair State University, N.J.I.T., Rutgers University and William Paterson University are on display in the Counseling Center and in the Advising Center (A-101). By reviewing the Best Bets before selecting courses, students can be sure that courses will transfer to these colleges.

www.njtransfer.org For updated facts regarding New Jersey Transfer information and resources, as well as links to all Colleges and Universities in NJ and some scholarship resources.