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!), advisors will 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. Advisors are 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 primary 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 discuss 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
Campbell Hall, Room 200
717.815.1531
academicadvising@ycp.edu
Assessments must be completed before New Spartan Days
Before scheduling fall classes, we need to assess some of your skills. You'll need to complete math and world language placement exams. Even if you haven't studied a world language or don't need one for your major, take the exam—it helps assess your skills in case plans change. Results are only used to determine the course level you are prepared to take.
Keep an eye on your inbox for exam instructions. Both exams must be completed before New Spartan Days summer orientation.
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.
IMPORTANT: Students will not be able to schedule required math courses without having first taken the math placement exam.
For language, complete these steps:
York College uses a Direct Self-Placement model for the language courses. This means that you will be guided through questions to help you identify the course that best fits your background knowledge and skill level.
Complete the assessment by visiting ycp.edu/placement-assessments and logging in using the same information you used when you applied. This is not your YCP email address.
Read the information under the "Language Directed Self-Assessment" section and follow the login instructions. If you have questions, contact the world languages professors using the email addresses provided.
TIP: Need information on how to get credit for college work you did in High School? Contact the Registrar's Office at 717.815.1273 or registrar@ycp.edu.
Student Accessibility Services (SAS) at York College provides support and assistance to ensure that students with documented disabilities receive equal access to the campus facilities, course content, and programming. Examples of accommodations that may be available to eligible students include:
- Academic Accommodations
- Testing in the SAS Testing Center
- Extended time on exams
- Assistive Technology
- Accessible electronic text (E-Text)
- Housing Accommodations
- Dining Accommodations
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: Accommodations in higher education are different from those offered in K-12 education. Students who were previously eligible for accommodations through 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.
Student Accessibility Services adheres to all applicable federal and local legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. All disability-related information is kept confidential, and the use of accommodations is always voluntary on the part of the student.
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 which starts long before 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. First-year students meet our staff and engage in a major and career path assignment through their First-Year Seminar. This helps them connect with us as a key resource for their career exploration and development journey.
Helping you adjust to college. Helping you see how academic disciplines connect to deepen your learning.
First-Year Seminar (FYS)
We want you to thrive at York, and that means helping you transition from high school to college. Our First-Year Seminar class 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. This course is a shared experience for all first-year students, and you’ll be guided by a First-Year Fellow (a trained upper-class student mentor), your professor, and the Office of First-Year Experience.
You’ll be picking your FYS class during New Spartan Days summer orientation.
Note: Certain majors have specific FYS courses, such as Middle and Secondary Education, Engineering, Psychology, and Health Sciences. We also have FYS courses for first-generation college students and commuter 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 (GenNext). 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 in any classes, reach out right away.
TIP 2: New Spartan Days registration opens up around May 1. We have days available in 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 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 during the first week of the semester. You are allowed to swap out a class without a penalty.
Tip 6: You’ll want to bookmark our Academic Calendar. This is where we list Drop/Add periods (the deadline to change
a course without a penalty), semester breaks, and more. Make sure your family sees this, too!