What You Should Know About Academics at York College
Engineers are designing robots. Nurses are working in simulation labs to diagnose patients. Theatre students are directing plays. Sport Management students are running the fitness center. At York, your academic path won’t be littered with mindless hours staring at a computer screen and a textbook. We want you doing.
And that means the best way to thrive here is giving your full effort. We have many resources to support you along the way, but from your first semester, you’ll notice that there’s more responsibility on the student than you might have been used to in high school. By the end, you’ll graduate with deep knowledge of your chosen profession, an understanding of how your career connects with the world around you, and a work ethic that will make you viable in the job market.
Let’s review what we have at York to get you there.
When you want academic guidance
Your academic advisor is like your personal guide through college. They help you with course selection, confirming or changing your major, academic difficulties, and general “I can use some guidance!” support. Your academic advisor is there to help you throughout college and to help you navigate your career path.
What You Need to Know:
- In the summer: For New Spartan Days summer orientation (which you’re expected to attend!), an advisor is assigned to you specifically to help you pick your fall classes. We don’t have parents or family involved in course selection because we want to encourage you to start taking control of your education right away. The advisor is there to make sure you get the courses you need.
- Throughout the summer: Check your YCP email. That’s where official communication from Academic Advising and the Registrar's Office is sent, such as information about Advanced Placement (AP), dual enrollment, or International Baccalaureate (IB) credits that have been processed.
- In the fall: Your long-term advisor is assigned in August. This is someone you’ll want to get to know (and at York College, we think you’ll quickly find faculty are more than willing to talk!). You’ll have a chance to meet with them during Fall Orientation but feel free to connect further via email or stop by during their office hours. Office hours are when faculty plan to be in their office and welcome students. Otherwise, make an appointment!
- Advisors are not meant to check in on you all semester to make sure you are going to class or turning in all your assignments. That’s where the ownership of your education comes in! In college, you’ll be expected to be much more responsible. If you’re struggling with time management or your coursework, that’s when a conversation with an advisor can help!
Get in the habit of checking your YCP email as soon as it’s set up. All official communication from the College will be sent there, even before you start classes. You can access it from my.ycp.edu. Having trouble getting access? Email ltshelp@ycp.edu.
Helpful reminder: It’s never too early to ask for help! Students often say they wish they could’ve gone back and sought help sooner.
You’re not alone! York College excels at helping students pair a passion with a career path. Did you know that Undeclared is one of the largest majors on campus?
The Undeclared Advising staff will connect with you to start a conversation about your major and class options. Remember, “undeclared” means different things to different students — you may have it narrowed down to 2 or 3 options, or you may have absolutely no idea. We’re here for you.
Did you know: Peer advisors are upper-level students who work in the Academic Advising Center. They are available for drop-in questions and support about registration, majors, and more!
Fun fact: York College processes about 500 major changes a year! Ask your family if any of them changed majors in college — you’ll be surprised how many have.
Questions:
Academic Advising Center
717.815.1531
academicadvising@ycp.edu
Assessment must be completed before New Spartan Days
Before you schedule classes for the fall, we need to get an assessment of some of your skills. You’ll need to complete a placement assessment for math.
In June, you’ll be sent information about how to take the test. You’re required to have it completed before you arrive on campus for your New Spartan Day.
For math, complete these steps:
You can access the assessment link at: ycp.edu/newspartandays
Read the information under the “Math Placement Assessment” section completely to determine which assessments you need to take before you begin.
Enter your MyYCP username and password. Your MyYCP network account is your access to campus computers and MyYCP (my.ycp.edu). If you did not receive your YCP network account or your password is not allowing you to log in to MyYCP, please call the LTS Help Desk for assistance at 717.815.1559.
The exam instructions are included on the exam page.
Student Accessibility in the Classroom
York College provides academic accommodations for students with various disabilities and health conditions to ensure equal access to their education. Some examples of possible accommodations students may be eligible for include:
- Extended time on tests
- Testing in our Testing Center environment
- Copies of class notes or recording lectures
- Assistive Technology
- E-Text
- Accessibility accommodations
Student Accessibility Services adheres to federal and local legislation including the American with Disabilities Act (ADAAA) and 504 Rehabilitation Act. Disability information is kept confidential and the use of accommodations is always voluntary on the part of the student. For more information about the process to request accommodations, please visit the Student Accessibility Services (SAS) webpage at ycp.edu/sas or contact Student Accessibility Services at sas@ycp.edu.
TIP: Students with previous accommodations and IEP/504 plans are encouraged to meet with Student Accessibility Services to discuss the various supports, services, and resources available on the York College campus for students.
Supporting you outside of the classroom
Academic Success Center
The Academic Success Center is a hub for student resources like tutoring, academic coaching, writing support, and other services that will empower you with the knowledge and skills you need to achieve your academic goals. You can meet with an experienced peer tutor for assistance in a variety of courses through one-on-one
and group tutoring sessions. Professional academic coaches can help you look at how you are spending your time, discuss what your priorities are, and work to master effective study habits. If there are ways to help you perform better in class, we'll help you find them.
Writing & Communication Studio
What kind of citation format should I be using? What am I supposed to write about on this topic? Can you help me find grammar errors? These are just a few of the topics that the Writing and Communication Studio can help with. Tutors can help with any type of writing at any stage of the writing process.
Career Development Center
The Career Development Center exposes students to career development concepts throughout their education—not just during their senior year. Our staff guide students through the process of exploring academic and career directions, identifying and securing internships and related experiences, preparing résumés, developing interviewing skills, locating on- and off-campus employment opportunities, and applying to graduate and professional schools. The Plan to Succeed program, Handshake, and regular email newsletters are some of the ways we help students succeed academically and professionally starting in their first year.
Helping you adjust to college. Helping you see how academic disciplines connect to deepen your learning.
First-Year Seminar
We want you to thrive at York, and that means helping you transition from high school to college. Our First-Year Seminar class and the Common Hour it’s paired with, help you do just that.
First-Year Seminar lets you explore a wide range of topics while also developing skills you need to succeed as a first- year student and in your college career. All first-years take this course, and you’ll have a First-Year Fellow (a trained student mentor) to guide you, along with your professor.
The Common Hour is paired with FYS to give you an in-depth look at commonly encountered challenges and opportunities for first-year students, as well as offering practical advice for success.
You’ll be picking your FYS class during New Spartan Days summer orientation, but we give you a preview of course offerings at Accepted Student Day so you can start making a mental list of a few potential options.
Note: Certain majors have specific FYS courses, such as Middle and Secondary Education, Engineering, Psychology, and Health Sciences.
Some scholarship and service programs have a dedicated FYS. We also offer FYS courses for commuter and First- Generation students.
Generation Next
You’re heading to a liberal arts college, which means we want you to have a well-rounded education that works with and complements your major. At York, we call that approach Generation Next (Gen Next). We help you design an educational plan of courses and experiences in and outside of the major that will help you have a fulfilling career and personal life.
Every semester, you’ll be taking courses from your major requirements, your electives, and your general education requirements. These help you toward your bachelor’s degree and any potential minors. Your advisor will help explain all of this, too!
Helpful things to keep in mind as you start school
TIP 1: Don’t wait until you’re past the point of no return. If you feel you’re starting to struggle, reach out right away. York College offers warning grades early in the semester, so students who are in danger of failing get a heads up. There’s still time to catch up! We are here to help you.
TIP 2: New Spartan Days registration opens up around May 1. We have days available in mid-to-late June; you only need to attend one day. Keep an eye on your email around May 1 for registration info.
TIP 3: Commuters have to attend New Spartan Days summer orientation, too! And everyone attends fall orientation, held the weekend before classes start.
TIP 4: When scheduling classes, remember to factor in practice time (if you’re an NCAA or club sport athlete!) or hours you’ll be spending at a part-time job. Let your advisor know if you have these kinds of obligations. You don’t want to overload a day and leave no time to study or sleep!
TIP 5: If you take a class and realize it’s not working out, we have a Drop/Add period covering the first week of the semester. You are allowed to swap out a class without a penalty.