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Meet with a Counselor/Advisor

MC is closed for winter break December 24 through January 2. Counseling & Advising Services will resume at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, January 5, 2026. Please return to this page when we reopen to connect with us.

Additional Closure: Monday, January 19, 2026 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

We look forward to supporting you in the new year!

We’re here to help you plan your classes and stay on track. During January 5–30, 2026, Counseling and Advising uses a same-day, drop-in model to serve students quickly.

Appointments for long-term planning resume February 2, 2026. From February–July, you can schedule meetings in Starfish for Financial Aid SAP appeals and for detailed academic, transfer, and graduation planning beyond the current semester.

Ready to start your Advising Check-In? Click the button below to chat with us, and we’ll help guide you to your next step.

Live help is available Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Outside these hours? Submit the online advising form new window or return when we reopen for live assistance.

Begin Here: Quick Check In

Need help from Counseling and Advising? We’ve got you covered! Begin with a quick check in using by live chat, email or in person.

You can check in three easy ways:

  • Live Chat:
  • Online: Fill out our online advising form new window.
  • In Person: Stop by ECEC or any campus location.

 What you’ll be asked:

  • Your Name
  • MC Student ID (M#)
  • Contact info (MC email and phone)
  • What you need help with today
  • If more follow-up is needed, how you’d like to connect with a Counselor: Zoom, in-person, phone, or email.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Not during peak advising! Appointments resume Monday, Feb 2, 2026.

MC is closed for winter break December 24 through January 2. Counseling & Advising Services will resume on Monday, January 5, 2026. Please return to this page when we reopen to connect with us.

Complete your New Student Enrollment Steps first: apply for admission, activate your MC account, complete orientation, and determine your course placement in English and math.

See the Course Placement Guides.

For help with admissions and enrollment, visit Raptor Central.

For Returning Students:

  • Review your academic progress in DegreeWorks (in MyMC).
  • Draft a list of courses you’d like to take next semester (include backups).
  • Write down questions about prerequisites, majors, transfer, or graduation.
  • Learn more about advising tools to support your academic planning.


For New Students:

What Happens Next

Based on answers you provide us, one of three things will happen. We will:

  • Connect with a Counselor if you are ready for same-day advising (Zoom, phone, in person, or live chat).
  • Referral to Another Service or Resource if you need to complete steps like course placement, financial aid, or other requirements before registering, we’ll connect you to the right resources to keep you moving forward in the advising process.
  • Quick Answer if your question can be resolved right away.

Frequently Asked Questions: 

View the virtual waiting room new window to see your initials.

Wait times can range from no wait to over an hour. If your initials disappear, expect contact soon by the method you selected (phone or Zoom). Only the first 25+ names show, so your initials may reappear when you move closer to the front.

You can start the chat again by clicking the Chat Now button, as long as it’s during regular hours of operation. If Counseling & Advising is closed, you will need to return the next business day or submit your question to the online advisor new window.

After Your Session

Your session will focus on planning for the upcoming semester and/or other immediate needs. It won’t cover long-term planning or transfer questions—those can be scheduled later.

If you have more questions:

Or

  • Review any information your counselor shared with you, which may be sent as an email note, appear as a Starfish tracking item (such as a To-Do or referral), or show up in your Degree Planner.
  • Email your counselor for follow-up.
  • Schedule an appointment after Monday, February 2, 2026 for transfer planning, graduation checks, or long-term goals.
  • Explore Other Ways to Get Help
Other Ways to Get Help

If you don’t need same-day advising or prefer other options, here are additional ways to get help.

You are encouraged to work with Program Advisors or Academic Department Chairs. Locate program advisors and download advising guides.

Help is also available from:

If you need assistance navigating the admissions, enrollment, placement or new student onboarding process, please direct your questions to Raptor Central. Call 240-567-5000, complete the Raptor Central Online Request Form or connect via zoom. Contact Information and options are detailed at Raptor Central.

MC Course Placement: If you unsure where to begin with the course placement process, go to the Course Placement Guides for more information.

If you are visiting from another colleges or university for one semester should follow the steps outlined on our Visiting Students page.

Prior Coursework Review for Prerequisite Overrides: If you have transfer credits and are seeking an exemption from MC’s placement processes or a prerequisite override should complete the prior coursework review going to: montgomerycollege.edu/can -->"Send a Question" and selecting "How to Transfer In" or fill out our online advising request form new window.

If you are participating in or interested in any Dual Enrollment program, including Middle College or Early College, please visit the Dual Enrollment page based on your program of interest.

New students to DSS must self-identify to DSS in order to begin the process for accommodations and services. Please visit the DSS website and click on the 'New Students' tab in the middle of the page and then click on the 'New Student Intake' icon to complete the online student intake form. Once DSS reviews the intake form, DSS will contact you directly to schedule an initial remote intake appointment.

Returning Students to DSS must request accommodations each semester including Winter and Summer sessions. Request accommodations/services by visiting the Current and Returning DSS Students page and following the Renewing Accommodations steps at least 2 weeks before the start of the semester to ensure timely services. Requests received less than two weeks before the start of the semester or during the semester will be processed as soon as possible.

There are various to connect with someone in the Office of Financial Aid.  

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