Academic Advising
Blue Ridge Community College believes that a timely, appropriate, and interactive advising process is vital for providing our students with the tools they need for success. The College is committed to providing students with the guidance necessary to make appropriate academic and career decisions. Therefore, the goals of academic advising are to provide students with:
- the information and guidance needed to complete course requirements in degree, diploma, and certificate programs;
- an individual, professional point of contact for issues and concerns related to their success at the College;
- information and guidance on transfer to four-year colleges and universities and to the work place.
New students are advised initially by an advisor in the Student Services division. Students who complete the process for being placed in a curriculum may also contact any full-time faculty member for academic guidance. Students are strongly encouraged to communicate on a regular basis with academic advisors. Academic advisors help students develop realistic goals, plan their programs of study, and make connections with appropriate resources. While academic advisors can provide students with valuable assistance throughout their academic careers at Blue Ridge Community College, the responsibility for knowing and fulfilling all requirements for graduation lies with the student.
The Advising Center offers educational support services to enrolled students. These services help students acquire skills and access resources and information that are necessary for academic success. Trained academic advisors are available to help students establish their occupational and educational goals, and to identify and address obstacles to academic achievement. In compliance with VCCS policy, BRCC does not provide counseling for mental health issues; therefore, academic advisors will provide appropriate referrals for students needing assistance related to mental health. A mental health resource page is available online at https://www.brcc.edu/student-support-services/mental-health-wellness/.
Students are strongly encouraged to schedule appointments for academic advising, but walk-in services are available.
Advising Center: https://www.brcc.edu/services/advising/
Transfer Advising: https://www.brcc.edu/student-support-services/advising/transfer-advising/
Student Success Advising: https://www.brcc.edu/student-support-services/student-success-center/
Placement
Students who wish to enroll in English or mathematics courses should refer to Table E or Table M for placement Information.
Table M: Student Math Course Placement
High School Grade Point Average (HS GPA) for Math Placement*
| If you have... | You may enroll in... |
|---|---|
| 6+ years since high school graduation | Informed Self-Placement |
| Less than 2.0 HS GPA | MDE 10 |
| 2.0-2.99 HS GPA without HS Algebra 2 | MTH 111, MTH 132, MTH 154 + MDE 54, MTH 155 + MDE 55, MDE 60 |
| 3.0 + HS GPA without HS Algebra 2 | MTH 111, MTH 132, MTH 154, MTH 155, MDE 60 |
| 3.0 + HS GPA with HS Algebra 2 | MTH 111, MTH 132, MTH 154, MTH 155. MTH 161, MTH 167 |
| Course | Minimum Placement Requirement** |
|---|---|
| MDE 10 | 1.99 or lower HS GPA |
| MDE 60 | 2.0 + HS GPA without HS Algebra 2 |
| MTH 111, MTH 132 | 2.0 HS GPA without HS Algebra 2 |
| MTH 154 + MDE 54 | 2.0-2.99 HS GPA with HS Algebra 2 |
| MTH 154 | 3.0 + HS GPA without HS Algebra 2 |
| MTH 155 + MDE 55 | 2.0 - 2.99 HS GPA with HS Algebra 2 |
| MTH 155 | 3.0+ HS GPA without HS Algebra 2 |
| MTH 161 + MDE 61 | 2.0-2.99 HS GPA with HS Algebra 2 |
| MTH 161 | 3.0 + HS GPA with HS Algebra 2 |
| MTH 167 | 3.0 + HS GPA with HS Algebra 2 |
SAT/ACT/GED Scores for Math Placement***
| Test | If you scored... | You may enroll in... |
|---|---|---|
| SAT-Math | 500 or above | MTH 111, MTH 132, MTH 154, MTH 155, MTH 161, MTH 167 |
| SAT-MTH | 470-490 | MTH 111, MTH 132, MTH 154, MTH 155, MTH 161 + MDE 61 |
| ACT-Subject Area Test Math | 18 or above | MTH 111, MTH 132, MTH 154, MTH 155, MTH 161, MTH 167 |
| ACT-Subject Area Test Math | 17 | MTH 111, MTH 132, MTH 154, MTH 155, MTH 161 + MDE 61 |
| GED-Math | 165 or above | MTH 111, MTH 132, MTH 154, MTH 155, MTH 161 + MDE 61 |
| GED-Math | 155-164 range | MTH 111, MTH 132, MTH 154 + MDE 54, MTH 155 + MDE 55, MDE 60 |
| GED-Math | 154 or below | MDE 10 |
- *
High school GPA (HS GPA) is valid for five (5) years after the date of high school graduation. Students who completed high school 6 or more years ago may be placed through informed self-placement. Placement into non-gateway courses (e.g. MTH 162, MTH 245, MTH 261, and MTH 263) may be done at the discretion of the college.
- **
Minimum placement requirements apply to students who completed high school five years or less ago.
- ***
SAT, ACT, and GED test scores are valid for five (5) years after the date of the test.
Table E: Student English Course Placement
High School Grade Point Average (HS GPA) for English Placement*
| If you have... | You may enroll in... |
|---|---|
| 6 or more years since high school graduation | Informed Self-Placement |
| Less than 2.0 HS GPA | EDE 10. ESL students should take any or all of ESL 41, ESL 42, CST 100 |
| 2.0-2.99 HS GPA | ENG 111 + EDE 11; ENG 115. ESL students may take ENG 111 + ESL 95. |
| 3.0 + HS GPA | ENG 111 or ENG 115. ESL students may take ENG 111 + ESL 95. |
| Course | Minimum Placement Requirement** |
|---|---|
| EDE 10. ESL student should take ESL 41, ESL 42, and CST 100. | 1.99 or lower HS GPA |
| ENG 111 + EDE 11. ESL students may take ENG 111 + ESL 95. | 2.0-2.99 HS GPA |
| ENG 111 | 3.0+ HS GPA |
| ENG 115 | 2.0+ HS GPA |
SAT/ACT/GED Scores for English Placement***
| Test | If you scored... | You may enroll in... |
|---|---|---|
| SAT-ERW, Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 480 or above | ENG 111 |
| SAT-ERW, Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 400-470 range | ENG 111 + EDE 11. ESL students may take ENG 111 + ESL 95. |
| ACT, Subject Area Tests English and Reading | 18 or above | ENG 111 |
| ACT, Subject Area Tests English and Reading | 15-17 range | ENG 111 + EDE 11. ESL students may take ENG 111 + ESL 95. |
| ACT, Subject Area Tests English and Reading | 14 and below | EDE 10. ESL students may take ESL 41, ESL 42, CST 100. |
| GED-English | 165 or above | ENG 111. ESL students may take ENG 111 + ESL 95. |
- *
High school grade point average (HS GPA) is valid for five (5) years after the date of high school graduation. Students who completed high school 6 or more years ago will be placed through informed self-placement.
- **
Minimum placement requirements apply to students who completed high school 5 or less years ago.
- ***
SAT, ACT, and GED test scores are valid for five (5) years after the date of the test.
English as a Second Language
Students who have English as their second or other language should consider the following courses to support their successful transition into curricular study in English.
ESL Optional Placement
Students will gain the most benefit from taking all three classes in this level. However, they may select one or more depending on their skill level. Students enrolled in 2 or more years or ESL in U.S. high school will find these courses beneficial. Adult students who have lived in the U.S. for less than three years will find these classes very helpful for long term academic success.
English as a Second Language Table
| Courses | Description |
|---|---|
| ESL 41 Composition | Students who need work on academic writing from paragraphs to essays, grammar review, and technology skills for writing. |
| ESL 42 Reading | Students who need work on reading comprehension and vocabulary development. |
| CST 100 Principles of Public Speaking | Students who need work on speaking, pronunciation, and making presentations. |
| ESL 95 taken with ENG 111 | Students who feel they need extra support in writing English compositions, reading comprehension, and vocabulary development should take this support class along with their ENG 111 class. |