Group Advising and New Student Orientation
At SAC, having Group Advising (GA) before New Student Orientation (NSO) ensures that students prioritize their academic needs by registering for the necessary classes during GA they need to fulfill their degree requirements. Following this, NSO steps in to provide comprehensive support by addressing any concerns about schedules, clarifying account summaries, and acquainting students with the wealth of resources available on campus. This step-by-step approach can make the transition to college smoother for new students.
GA and NSO are required for:
- First Time In College (FTIC) students (have never attended a college or university).
-
Transfer students with less than 7 credit hours that have transferred over to SAC.
Note: Returning/former students, transfers with more than 7 transferred credit hours, and transients are not required to complete GA or NSO (NSO is optional).
Note: You will receive a confirmation email with details.
Step 1: Sign-up and attend GA
All enrollment steps must be completed before attending GA.
Sign-up for GA by contacting your assigned Certified Enrollment Coach.
GA FAQ’s
Group advising is a registration session, that is conducted in a group format, where advisors and staff are available to support you and answer your questions while you register for your classes.
- Returning/Former students
- Transfer students that have more than 7 credit hours that have transferred over to SAC
- Transient students
Yes. However, GA takes place in a computer lab and due to limited seating, guests are not allowed in the computer lab. Guests will be asked to wait in the lobby.
During GA, you will receive assistance from a group of advisors and staff. After GA, you will receive an assigned academic advisor by the census date of the semester (view academic calendar). You can locate your advisor’s contact information in your ACES account under the “MY PAGE” tab by the census date.
No. Space is limited for each session. The advisors must pre-screen your student record to determine what courses you need according to your degree plan. This is to prepare your course selections for the day of your GA session.
Yes. You are expected to arrive on time and attend the entire session to register successfully. The time frame given does not imply that you can come in between that time. You must be there at the start of the session.
First, please check your junk/spam folder. If you still do not see that it has been received, contact: sac-fticadvis@alamo.edu.
You can change your major the day of GA.
There is not a way to cancel your GA session. But, if you cannot make it, sign up for another GA session. Please keep in mind, when you sign-up for a session, that you are taking a seat from another incoming student. So, make sure you are choosing a date that you are able to attend.
Step 2: Sign-up and attend NSO
After GA, you will attend NSO.
Note: SAC NSO is available only to students whose home campus is SAC.
NSO FAQ's
Yes. NSO is a mandatory enrollment step for all FTIC students and transfer students who had less than 7 credit hours tranfer to SAC.
- Returning/former students
- Transient students
- Transfers that have more than 7 credit hours that have transferred over to SAC.
Although we would love you to bring a guest, the NSO room can hold a maximum of 50 students. However, if there are extra seats once orientation begins, they are more than welcome to come in and have a seat!
Besides your enthusiasm and positivity, it is recommended that you bring your printed, detailed class schedule. During orientation, we will review your class schedule and assist you with identifying some key points. You can find your detailed schedule in your ACES.
"STUDENT" tab > "STUDENT TOOLS" box > Click “CLASS SCHEDULE” > Choose your semester > Submit.
Note: Do not choose CE or COM semesters.
No. Space is limited for each session. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate students who are walk-ins or are not confirmed for a session. Reservations are on a first-come, first reserved basis.
Yes. You are expected to arrive on time and attend the entire session to successfully complete the NSO requirement. If you have prior commitments, please reschedule.
Confirmation emails with details are emailed to your ACES student email address 1-2 days before the session. If not received, please contact: sac-nso@alamo.edu
No. Students who have completed their enrollment steps, must attend a GA session to register for classes. NSO is the last step, once a student is actively enrolled in classes.
No. However, we do have a café/cafeteria on site, which only takes credit cards (NO CASH). We also have vending machines in our building. You are also more than welcome to bring your own food and drinks into the NSO room.
There is no way to cancel your NSO. If you cannot make it and wish to reschedule, just go back into Alamo Experience and sign up for another NSO session.
You will sign up for online orientation the same way you would for in-person. The only difference is the NSO staff will screen your student record and will manually add you into the online orientation in Canvas. NSO staff will email you within 1 - 2 days with instructions on how to access the online orientation in Canvas.
No. Online orientation is continuously being offered. It will show the date as the first of the month, but it is active for the entire month that we are currently in. You can sign-up for it at any time.
General FAQs
Interpreting Services at the Alamo Colleges provide interpreting services for deaf or hard of hearing students in the classroom and lab. The Interpreting Services manages, coordinates interpreting services and on-boarding services to new students.
For more information, please email dst-interpreting@alamo.edu.
Please contact our disABILITY Support Services at sac-dSS@alamo.edu or call (210) 486-0020.
You are welcome to park for free in any open (and legal) spot in one of our parking lots or parking garages. A parking permit is not required. Check your confirmation email to locate the building your orientation will be held in.
- Login to ACES
- Student tab
- Find the section titled “Student Tools”
- Click Class Schedule
- Choose Term (Do not choose CE or COM terms)
- Submit
The TSI is not a pass/fail exam. It is a placement exam to determine where you level at for college level English/Math classes.
Email sac-nso@alamo.edu and provide the date you attended NSO, name and banner ID#.