Transfer Planning

Are you planning to graduate from NOVA this spring? Do you intend to transfer to a four-year institution in the fall? Did you know that most transfer applications are due by March 1 or April 1? 

If you have questions about transfer planning, please join us this Thursday, 2/13 from 12:15 – 1:15 for a Transfer Planning webinar. This one-hour webinar will discuss the basics of transfer planning; information about Guaranteed Admission Agreements, Articulation Agreements, and Transfer Guides; and a web tour of NOVA’s transfer website. Register here.

More specifically, do you plan to apply to George Mason University, Old Dominion University, American Public University, or University of Phoenix? If so and you have questions, stop by the virtual “Ask the Transfer Representative Day” on February 20^th between 12 and 6 pm. You can address questions to transfer representatives from these four institutions. Register here.

You can also contact the ELI Counselor, Kim Burkle with transfer questions at kburkle@nvcc.edu or 703.323.3712.

Interested in working in IT?

What do I want to be when I grow up?

 

 

Every student is faced with the heavy task of choosing a major.  Although it is a big decision it doesn’t have to be a stressful one.  In fact, many students spend the first two years of their education taking general education classes to help ease the process and grow through their studies.  Here are some ideas and questions you can think about to get you started in that decision process.

• Think about the present

What do you enjoy most about your daily routine? Are you more energized in the morning or do you feel your best at night? Do you enjoy talking to others during your morning coffee stop or are you happier reading the morning paper while waiting for your coffee? Are you comfortable driving around while doing errands or would you rather utilize a computer and internet for all your needs?

•  Keep in mind your interests

In your free time, what do you find yourself doing? Are you outside in your garden or in your kitchen trying your hand at a new recipe? Do you enjoy volunteering or are you at the gym lifting weights and taking yoga classes? Is fixing up your vehicle exciting or do you like reading about the newest fashion trends? Perhaps you frequent the movie theater or visit the dog park often.

• Consider the future

Do you see yourself living in the same state and town or are you in a new setting with different cultures around you? Are you in the process of raising a family or entertaining friends with drinks and catered appetizers every Friday night? Is the airport a familiar place to you due to your monthly travels or are you content in your local commute? Do you have a graduate degree underway?

 

These are just a few questions and thoughts to use when considering your path of study and more importantly your career.  Keep in mind this decision is about you.  No one wants to wake up every morning dreading work.  After all the more engaged you are in your major the happier you’ll be in your education and future career. 

If you’d like to take a quiz to find a major that’s right you, go to www.MyMajors.com   



It's Not Too Late to Register for Spring Classes

It is hard to believe that the Spring Semester is right around the corner!  If you have not already registered for spring classes, you can register now for ELI classes that begin January 14, January 28, February 4, February 11, February 25, March 18 and April 15.  Get your schedule squared away so that you are well prepared and organized for your spring semester classes.

Resources to help you:

· Need help with course selection?  Students who have not been assigned a faculty advisor can contact an ELI Counselor for assistance. If you need to know whether or not you've been assigned an advisor, please log into My NOVA, click on VCCS SIS: Student Information System, Under ‘Academic Records’ click on ‘My Advisor’.  If you have been assigned a faculty advisor, their name will be referenced on the page.

· Not sure what courses we offer in the Spring 2013?  Spring 2012 ELI Course Offerings.

· Have you attended an ELI Orientation?  Check out our Orientation webinar!  The 45 minute webinar for NOVA ELI students will focus on answering key questions to getting started at ELI. Registration required.

· Tuition and Payment: Once you have registered, you must pay your tuition by 5pm on the next to prevent being dropped from your classes.  For payment methods and online payment instructions, please click here.

If you are looking for additional resources to help you achieve academic success, the ELI Student Success Coaches are also here to help you.  Your success coach can help with study strategies and academic resources to include free online tutoring, webinars, and free online workshops which promote academic success.  To contact your Success Coach, please send an email to ELISuccess@nvcc.edu or please call 703.764.5076.

Preparing for an 8-Week course

I’m taking my first eight-week long course this semester. This got me thinking about how it might be different from the sixteen-week format I am more used to. Succeeding in an online course always requires good management of time. I must carefully balance school, work, and personal responsibilities. When the online class is an eight week or six week course, I am thinking that managing these elements will become much more critical.

Since an online sixteen week course should take three hours of coursework per credit each week, an Eight-week online course should take six hours of coursework per credit each week. For a three credit class, that works out to as much as an 18-hour a week part time job! Because of this, I decided to take only one class at a time until I see how I can integrate this workload with my work and social schedule.

I expect that the deadlines will also come much faster. Just eight days into my course, I will already be at the refund deadline, forcing me to decide whether or not I can handle the workload and get the grade I want or to drop the course and try the longer format in the Fall.

Because of this, I’m planning on checking into the course as early as possible and completing the first assignment quickly. I’ll also need to look over the assignments and syllabus and see if I have any questions. Usually, I think for two or three days before I email my instructor, but with this class, I expect that if I have questions, I’ll need to write the professor immediately—procrastinating even a few days would probably not be a good idea.

I’m really looking forward to the pleasant feel completing the course more quickly. I’ll get to feel the sense of accomplishment which keeps me motivated that much faster. I’m also telling myself I can deal with almost any schedule for two months—so it actually feels much more flexible than the traditional four-month courses. I’ll let you know if my opinion changes once the course actually starts.

So how many of you have already taken a six or eight week course? Do you have any advice for me? I would love to know a little more about what to expect!

Are You Ready to Register for Next Semester?

Priority registration, for current students, begins on November 6.   Students who need some help planning their next schedule are encouraged to attend a Getting Ready for Your Next Semester webinar.    This 45 webinar for NOVA students will focus on answering key questions students have about continuing their studies at NOVA.  Topics covered will include identifying a purpose; reviewing program, course, and transfer information; understanding an advisement report; communicating with an advisor; reviewing the registration process; and troubleshooting common registration problems.   Identify session dates and register for this free webinar at the ELI Webinar website.

Advising Week is Almost Here!

Advising week is offered every fall and spring semester at NOVA as a time for students to reflect upon their academic goals and career development in preparation for planning or evaluating their schedule for next semester.   Advising week for the Spring 2013 semester will be held from October 29 – November 2.  Get the most out of advising week by following the steps below:

1. Attend a Getting Ready for Your Next Semester webinar.  Learn more about the webinar, identify session dates and register at the ELI Webinar website.

2. Review your Advisement Report.   Access NOVAConnect to

      view your advisement report.

3. Communicate with your advisor about your academic and career goals.   If you have not declared a program of study or are not pursuing a specific program at NOVA, contact an ELI counselor for assistance.   

Priority registration will begin on November 6.   All current students will be assigned a priority registration date.  During advising week access NOVAConnect to identify your priority registration date.  Open registration begins on November 12.

Advising Week, October 31 – November 4

What are your long-term educational goals? Do you know what your career goals are? Do you have a defined path planned out to achieve those goals?

If you answered, “No” to any of these questions, please note that Advising Week at NOVA starts next week!

We are happy to report that there will be multiple opportunities for advising in preparation for the spring semester. We strongly recommend that you plan ahead and explore these resources early so you will be on track when spring semester begins. Campuses are organizing a variety of activities to support Advising Week. Also, as an ELI student, we have five on-site counselors who can help you virtually from 8:30 am – 5 pm Monday through Friday. ELI Counselors can be contacted via email or phone at ELICounselors@nvcc.edu or (703) 323-2425.

Advising week immediately precedes the start of Priority Registration for the Spring 2012 semester. More information regarding career exploration, choosing a program of study, how to prepare to transfer to a four-year institution, and so much more can be found on the Counseling and Advising page of NOVA’s website.

Good luck on your journey to academic success!

Are you ready for your next interview?

During the week of October 17^th ELI will be offering part 3 of the three part job search webinar series.  The 45 minute Interviewing Skills Basics webinar will focus on the basics of conducting an effective job interview.  Topics covered will include preparing for an interview, tips for remaining calm and staying focused during the interview, answering questions, and following-up after the interview.   Register and view the complete schedule of free webinars. 

More Great ELI Courses Start Oct. 19th!

Need to pick up a few extra credits? Did you know that ELI offers over 80 different 8-week courses starting Oct. 19th? Adding an 8-week course to your Fall schedule will allow you to complete your degree sooner and earn more credits in a shorter period of time. Below are just a few interesting courses that you might consider. For more details about the courses listed, visit the Course Description section of ELI’s website.

• ENG 236: Intro to the Short Story
• ADJ 100: Survey of Criminal Justice
• ART 100: Art Appreciation
• BUS 165: Small Business Management
• BUS 241: Business Law I and BUS 242 Business Law II
• CST 100: Principles of Public Speaking
• ECO 201: Principles of Macroeconomics
• GEO 210: Cultural Geography
• GOL 111: Oceanography
• MUS 121: Music Appreciation I
• PLS 242: International Relations II
• SDV 100: College Success Skills
• SOC 200: Principles of Sociology
• TRV 100: Introduction to the Travel Industry

That’s not all! Search through ELI's online course listing for lots more 4th session 8-week course options. This session starts Oct. 19th and ends Dec. 19th. Contact ELI Registration for more information: 703-323-3347.

What is your resume saying about you?

During the week of October 10^th ELI will be offering part 2 of the three part job search webinar series.  The 45 minute Resume and Cover Letter Basics  webinar will focus on creating an effective resume and cover letter.  The purpose of a resume and cover letter, types of resumes, presentation styles, and important information to be included in a resume and cover letter will be addressed.  Register and view the complete schedule of free webinars.  

Disability Support Services for ELI Students

NOVA’s disability support services are not limited to traditional on-campus students; ELI’s on-line students may also request appropriate accommodations for documented disabilities!  Perhaps the best way to start the inquiry or request process would be to contact ELI’s Disability Support Services (DSS) Liaison, David Highsmith.  David is one of ELI’s counselors, and he is available to address general questions you may have about disability support services; he can also walk you through the process for requesting accommodations at NOVA.  You may reach David at dhighsmith@nvcc.edu or 703-323-2404. 

Another great source for information on disability support services at NOVA is the DSS website.  After carefully reviewing pertinent portions of this website, check-out the “Students with Disabilities Intake Packet” link in the “How to Begin” paragraph.  Please note that the intake packet (and supporting documentation) must be processed through one of NOVA’s six campus-based DSS offices – and you’ll find contact information for all six offices directly below the “How to Begin” paragraph.

NOVA Tip: Earn credit for non-traditional experiences

Have you developed extensive skills outside of the classroom from work, hobbies, professional activities or other non-traditional experiences?  Did you know that NOVA offers the opportunity to earn credit or advanced standing for some of these skills? Check out all the intriguing ways to EARN NOVA CREDIT for your experiences outside of the classroom here:  College Credit through Advanced Standing Manual.  This manual gives detailed information on the following:

• Transfer credit process
• Credit-by-exam opportunities
• Credits earned in non-traditional programs
• ….and more!

Many students have already used these policies at NOVA to get one step closer to graduation. What questions do you have about earning credit for what YOU have accomplished outside of the classroom? Direct your questions about earning credit for non-traditional learning experiences to Katie Smith, ELI Counselor/Prior Learning Specialist, or post a comment here.

Cool Online Courses for Summer 2011

The Summer 2011 Schedule of Classes is finally here! Summer is a great time to learn something new and pick up a few extra credits. And since you can take ELI courses from anywhere in the world, you don't have to sacrifice weekends at the pool or vacation plans, either. Here's a list of a interesting ELI courses that go nicely with a tall glass of lemonade, an Adirondack chair, or sand between your toes:

(Click the links for a detailed course description. All courses are 3 credits unless otherwise noted)

Appreciate the Arts:

• Art Appreciation - ART 100
• Introduction to the Theatre - CST 130
• Music Appreciation - MUS 121

Take time to read:

• Mystery in Literature & Film - ENG 230
• Literature of Science Fiction - ENG 256
• The Modern Novel - ENG 267

Learn a new language:

• Beginning Chinese I - CHI 101 (5 credits)
• Beginning French I - FRE 101 (5 credits)
• Intro. to Japanese Language - JPN 101 (5 credits)

Learn a new skill:

• Intro. to Photography - PHT 100
• Technical Writing - ENG 115
• Multimedia Software - ITE 170

Study nature:

• Meteorology with lab - NAS 125 (4 credits)
• Elements of Astronomy with lab - NAS 130 (4 credits)
• Intro. to Physical Geography - GEO 200 (4 credits)

The ELI SU'11 schedule also includes options to help you explore a new career and personal interest, to brush up on basic skills, or to finally take the time out to complete a required course that you've been putting off. Contact ELI counselors to help you select an appropriate course based on your academic and career goals. Open registration for Summer begins Tuesday, March 29 and courses start May 16.

NEW Online Courses for Spring

Check out the long list of new ELI courses for Spring. Click the links for a detailed course description. If you have questions about which courses best fit your academic and career plans, contact the ELI Counselors.

• ACC 211/SDV100 Learning Community (Read this post to find out about the benefits of learning communities)
• FST 110 – Fire Behavior
• FST 115 – Fire Prevention
• FST 120 – Occupational Safety and Health for the Fire Service
• FST 210 – Legal Aspects of Fire Service
• FST 220 – Building Construction for Fire Protection
• FST 235 – Strategy and Tactics
• HIM 142 – Fundamentals of Health Information Systems II (description coming soon)
• HIS 232 - History of Latin American Civilizations II
• HLT 110 – Concepts of Personal and Community Health
• ITN 154 – Networking Fundamentals: Cisco (8 week course)
• ITN 155 – Introductory Routing: Cisco (8 week course)
• MKT 282 – Principles of e-Commerce
• MKT 283 – Ethical, Legal and Privacy Issues in e-Commerce
• PLS 120 – Introduction to Political Science
• PLS 242 – International Relations II
• REL 100 – Introduction to the Study of Religion
• VET 122 – Clinical Practices II
• VET 135 – Anesthesia of Domestic Animals

Jack Kent Cooke Transfer Scholarship Opportunity

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Transfer Scholarships are awarded to the nation's top two-year or community college students who have demonstrated financial need (F-1 status students also eligible). The selection process for these awards is highly competitive, with about 50 scholarships awarded each year, out of hundreds of nominees nationally.

Eligibility Requirements:
• Must be currently enrolled at an accredited U.S. community college or two-year institution
• Must have sophomore (second year) status as of December 31, 2010, or be a recent graduate (recent since Spring 2006)
• Must have achieved a cumulative college GPA of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 scale
• Must plan to transfer to a four-year college or university to start studies in the Fall of 2011
• Must have significant unmet financial need: 1) education costs that are appreciably greater than the total amount of scholarships or grant awards received and 2) Insufficient student and family income to meet educational costs

If you are serious about applying and being considered by the NOVA College Scholarship Review Committee, visit the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation website for more details. Find details about the application process and materials here. Then, visit the registration site, to access the application. The deadline for submitting the completed application to NOVA’s review committee is December 10, 2010. Applicants should also consider approaching a faculty member to review their completed essays, for advice and recommendations.

Visit this page at NOVA's website to find out more details about this scholarship opportunity. Best of luck to all applicants!

It's Academic Advising Week

Advising Week for the Spring 2011 semester is here. Here is important information and reminders from ELI Counselors...

It's time once again to begin preparing for your next semester.   Advising week is a great time for you to connect with your academic advisor and begin to plan your next semester.  Your advisor can help you with identifying and focusing on your long-term educational and career goals.  If you intend to pursue a specific program of study at NOVA and have officially declared this program (been program placed), contact an appropriate Division Office on a NOVA campus that offers your program to be assigned an advisor.  Remember to print and review a copy of your degree progress report before communicating with your advisor.  The degree progress report will identify how courses you have taken, are in the process of taking, or have received transfer credit apply to your declared program of study.  If you have not declared a program of study or are not pursuing a specific program at NOVA, contact an ELI counselor at elicounselors@nvcc.edu or 703.323.2425  for assistance. 

On Tuesday, November 2 at 4:00pm and Wednesday, November 3 at 12:15pm a webinar, "Getting Ready for Your Next Semester," will be held to assist you with planning for your next semester.  Topics covered will include program identification, college resources, degree progress report, and course selection.  The webinars are free, but advanced registration is required.  Register online here. 

Here are a few more helpful tips for preparing your schedule and getting ready for your Spring semester:

• Priority Registration - begins November 9.  If you are a returning student check your assigned priority registration date in NOVAConnect to see when you can begin to register for courses. 
• Open Registration - for returning and new students begins on November 15.
• Schedule of Classes - the Spring 2011 Schedule of Classes is now available online.  You can also search for Spring courses in NOVAConnect - just remember to update your user preferences first. (By the way, do you know how to find ELI courses using NOVAConnect? If not, see this post.)
• Payment Information - remember to pay for your courses to avoid being dropped due to nonpayment.  Check here for details about payment methods and deadlines.
• Graduation Deadline - If you plan to complete your career studies certificate, certificate, or degree requirements during the Spring semester, you must apply for graduation no later than March 1.  More information and the online Application for Graduation are available here.

Workshop: Tackling the Admissions Essay

Are you getting ready to transfer? Have you started the process of completing your applications yet? How about that admissions essay? If you want to know to find out what makes a good admissions essay and where to get writing assistance then consider making time to attend this workshop this week at Annandale:

Tackling the Admissions Application Essay

Thursday, Nov. 4, 12-1pm

Annandale – CM Building, Room 327

Fourth Session ELI Courses Begin Nov. 1

Need to pick up a few extra credits? No problem! ELI has added a fourth 16-week session for the Fall semester. The following courses start Nov. 1. Click the links for a detailed course description.

• ACC 211: Principles of Accounting I
• BIO 141: Human Anatomy and Physiology I
• ENG 111: College Composition I
• ITE 115: Intro. to Computer Applications & Concepts
• ITE 140: Spreadsheet Software I
• MTH 151: Math for the Liberal Arts I
• MTH 3: Algebra I
• NAS 150: Human Biology
• PED 116: Lifetime Fitness & Wellness
• PHI 101: Into. to Philosophy I
• PSY 231: Life Span Human Development I
• SDV 100: College Success Skills
• SPA 101: Beginning Spanish I
• SPA 102: Beginning Spanish II

Need more info? Call the ELI Hotline at 703-323-3347.

College Transfer Fair at Woodbridge

NOVA's Woodbridge campus is hosting a College Transfer Fair next Wednesday, October 20. Representatives from a variety of colleges and universities throughout Virginia, D.C., and Maryland will be on site to answer your transfer questions. If you're interested in transferring to UVA, an admissions rep is available to meet with prospective students from 10am-3pm. Contact Douglas Rhoney to schedule an appointment or to find out what other colleges will be at the fair.

Did you know? Students who graduate from NOVA with an associate's degree and a minimum grade point average are guaranteed admission to a long list of colleges and universities, including George Mason, UVA and William and Mary. See the full list of schools and their detailed agreements here. Check the NOVA Events Calendar often to find out about upcoming transfer events at a campus near you.

Can't make it to campus? No problem! Our counselors at ELI can work with you by phone or email to help you plan a successful transfer and tell you more about transfer options too. Contact the ELI Counselors to arrange a virtual appointment today.