Academic Advising FAQs

How do I make an appointment with a counselor?
Make an appointment in-person or by phone:

• Academic Advising and Counseling Center (AAC)
• Career Center
• Center for Multicultural Learning (CML)
• Athlete Advising Center
• Access and Disability Services

Quick questions can be answered during specific times Monday through Thursday during each semester.  Call 847-925-6393 to verify counselor availability.

What courses do I need to complete my degree?
Every degree and certificate offered at Harper College has different requirements. Most degrees and many certificates require English, Math and general education courses. Refer to the Harper College Catalog for particular degree, certificate requirements and course descriptions.

What is a Degree Evaluaton?
A Degree Evaluation will list the courses you have already taken and what you have left to take for your degree or certificate at Harper. It does not include transfer information. A counselor will review it and make a few notes for you. The Degree Evaluation can either be picked up in our office or mailed to you.

How do I request a Degree Evaluation?
It's best to meet with a Harper counselor each semester. If you are unable to meet with a counselor, request a Degree Evaluation by calling 847.925.6393 or 847.925.6522. We are unable to process requests for Degree Evaluation via email.

How can I get verification that I am a degree-seeking student, for insurance purposes?
Visit Registration Policies to read more about Enrollment Verification.

Where can I learn about Financial Aid?
Contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance.

I have “F” grades on my transcript. Is there anything I can do about this?
Students are allowed to repeat courses and attempt to earn a higher grade for classes taken at Harper College. The highest grade received for that course will be used to compute the cumulative GPA. The lower grades will remain on the transcript but not be used to compute your Harper College GPA. A student transferring to another college should check that school's repeat policy, as it may differ and your transfer admission GPA could be different.

Another way to remove the “F” from your Harper GPA is through the Forgiveness Policy. You must meet with a counselor to determine if you are eligible to request Forgiveness for failed courses. If a grade is “forgiven” it will be taken out of the GPA, but will still remain on your transcript.

Medical Withdrawals are possible if you failed a course because you or a family member experienced a medical or psychological illness, and you can provide documentation. More information about Medical Withdrawals is found under Registration Policies and Procedures.

What happens to my GPA once I transfer?
When you transfer to other institutions, your credits transfer (if transferable) but your grades may not. For example, if you transfer to Harper College from another school, your GPA begins anew, even though you may have credits transferred in from another school. Some colleges also calculate a combined GPA.

What do I need to do to graduate? Will Harper automatically send my degree or certificate?
In order to graduate and receive your certificate or degree Submit the Application for Degree or Certificate Completion.

Are all students required to see a counselor before registering? Why am I blocked from registering? What do I need to do to get the block off?
If you are a new degree-seeking student, you are required to attend Orientation which includes assessment testing, advising and registration. Contact the Center for New Students and Orientation for more information.

We encourage all students to talk to a counselor, but only students on Academic Probation and with other academic statuses reflecting academic difficulty (cumulative GPA below 2.0) are required to see a counselor, before being allowed to register. This is because we care about your success and want to do whatever we can to assist you in improving your academic performance. You will be contacted by mail if you are in any of these categories. You can review the Standards of Academic Performance in the College Catalog.

Where can I find course descriptions?
You can refer to the Harper College Catalog for particular degree, certificate requirements and course descriptions.

Can I get help working out my schedule?
Counselors will assist you with course selection and with the basics of putting together a class schedule. Working out a complete schedule and selection of class times is one of your responsibilities as a college student.

How do I know which Math class to take?
The first Math class you take at Harper College is determined by your ACT score or by your score on the Compass Placement Test administered in the Assessment and Testing Center. Testing is available on a walk-in basis. If you have transfer credit from another school in college level Math, you can bring your transcript to the Testing Office for a waiver of the test. Different majors require different kinds of Math; the Math class you take also depends on which school (or schools) to which you would like to transfer. See a counselor or call one of the offices listed above-sometimes this question can be answered over the phone.

How do I know which courses transfer?
It is best to talk to a counselor about transferring courses to a specific College/ University, as well as major requirements. We have transfer guides for many Illinois Colleges/ Universities. You can obtain them at any one of the Counseling and Advising Centers. This and other transfer information is also available online. However, this information is not a substitute for meeting with a counselor.For example,  it is best to talk to a counselor since the courses listed on the transfer guide may not be the only courses that transfer.

How do I withdraw from a class?
If you wish to withdraw from a class after regular registration, you must withdraw officially by submitting an add/drop slip to the Office of the Registrar, Building A, Room A213. A student who does not withdraw officially from a class is subject to an “F" grade. Remember, if you're not attending a class, it is your responsibility to drop the class. Your teacher cannot and will not automatically drop you.

Talk to your counselor about deadlines for dropping classes or you can refer to the Academic Calendar. (Deadlines differ depending on the start/end dates of the course.)

Your counselor can also help you explore the "pros and cons" of your decision. Dropping a class may impact your financial aid or athletic eligibility. Check with those departments or a counselor before dropping a class.
Office of Student Financial Assistance – 847.925.6248. Building C, Room C102
Athletic Counseling – 847.925.6466 Wellness and Sports Center, Room M219

What if a class I need is full?
If a class is full, you must get permission from the instructor to register for it. It is really up to the instructor to decide if he or she can accommodate you. Sometimes there are other factors to consider, such as the number of possible seats in the classroom, or the availability of lab space or equipment (i.e. science or computer classes). It is important to have a back-up plan. Consider other sections of the same course or choosing a different class, if possible. If the instructor does allow you to register for the class, you must obtain his/her signature on the Class Override Form, which the instructor will provide for you in class. You will need to bring this form to the Registrar's Office, Building A, Room A213 before you can officially register for the course.

What if I want to add a class that has already started, but is not full?
After the third day of the semester, you must get permission from the instructor. If the instructor does allow you to register for the class, you must obtain his/her signature on the Class Override Form. You need to bring this form to the Registrar A213 before you can officially register for the course.

How do I get my courses from another college transferred to Harper College?

1. You must have an official copy of your transcripts from each college previously attended sent to the Harper College Admissions Office via U.S. Mail.

2. You must fill out a request form for your transcripts to be evaluated. You must do this for each college you previously attended. You can pick up this form in any of the Academic Advising and Counseling Centers or the Admissions Office. The form must be turned in to the Admissions Office C102 or the Registrar's Office  A213.

Once Admissions has received both your transcript and your Request for Evaluation of Transcript Form, you should receive information from the Registrar's Office via U.S. Mail within a couple of weeks. You are then encouraged to see a counselor to determine how all of your transfer courses fit with your degree requirements.

How can I get my grades sent to another school?
Complete a Transcript Request Form.

How much does a credit hour cost at Harper?
View tuition and fee information.