New Student Advising and Orientation

Click here to begin Orientation

Once you have completed the online orientation, continue reading "Step 2: Choosing Your Program."

We recommend beginning your journey on our Areas of Study page, where you can learn more about the many subjects offered at Edmonds College. If you are still trying to decide what to choose, the Career Action Center can also be a great place to assess how your interests and strengths align with these areas.

Once you have a few areas in mind, continue reading "Step 3: Understanding Placement and Using Your Transcripts."

Placement ensures that students have the English and math skills they need to be successful in their classes. Placement level can be determined by several things, including our English and math assessments, unofficial transcripts, test scores,  or other documentation of experience in those subjects. You can find more information about placement types on our Testing and Assessment Services page.

*If you are planning on completing a transfer-ready associate degree (our Direct Transfer Agreement/DTA or Associate of Science-Transfer/AS-T), it is highly recommended you get both math and English placement before you register for classes.

Transferring (evaluating) credit to use towards your program requirements is a different process from placement and is eventually completed using an official transcript or score report. It is highly recommended if you are a new student that you bring or send your unofficial transcripts or scores to Advising. An advisor can review your credit and evaluate which classes may be transferrable. They can also provide more detailed steps for completing the official evaluation request through Credentials and Evaluations during your first quarter.

If you can easily retrieve or obtain any of the assessments, transcripts, or documents listed above, please bring them to your Advising Check-in. If you have questions or are unsure what to bring, that is also fine! Continue to "Step 4: Advising Check-in."

Common topics to discuss with an advisor:

• narrowing down your area of study
• understanding the different programs offered in an area
• selecting the best program for your goals
• updating your program
• helping to navigate program/course selection in accordance to funding
• determining which placements are needed to start and complete your program
• reviewing previous coursework and aligning that with your academic plan
• submitting your official transcript for evaluation
• advising which placement options may be ideal for you
• choosing your first courses
• answering any other questions that will help in getting you started!

You can connect with us about any of these topics (and more) through our contact page. If you have determined your program and obtained the necessary placements, you can continue to "Step 5: Requesting Your Starting Plan."

You may use the linked form below to request a starting plan for your first classes. Please tell us your information, program, and currently applicable placements. We will email you a plan or follow up with any questions within 2-4 business days.

Request a Starting Plan

Once you have received your plan, please continue to "Step 6: Signing Up for Classes."