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Student Success Orientation and Testing
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FALL  2010

All new students are required to participate in the Student Success Orientation, Testing, and meeting with a counselor unless they are exempted (see below*). The Student Success Orientation is established to help prepare you to be successful at the College of Marin and to reach your educational goals. Here are the components for you to complete:

Step 1.  Apply to the College; Admission Application before you participate in any of these activities.

Step 2.  Set up your personal MyCOM Portal online account.  Remember your personal password!

Step 3.  Orientation to College of Marin programs and services; ONLINE Orientation    or   ESL In-Person Orientation

Step 4.  English and Math Placement tests; Testing Center Schedule, ESL In-Person Orientation

Step 5.  Scheduling a meeting with an Academic Counselor. Counseling Services Website

These five components are also called the Matriculation Steps. Make sure you file a College of Marin Admission Application form as the first step to participating in these activities. You may do this online, in person at either campus, by mail or by FAX.

You will need your Student ID (M00#) before you can register for a workshop or to take our placement tests.

How Do I Sign Up for a Student Success Orientation?Online Orientation is available 24/7 at www.marin.edu/orientation.  Online Orientation.  For  ESL Credit Workshops, see the ESL In-person Orientation Schedule. If you are planning to complete an ESL Student Success Workshop, please call the ESL Department at 415.485.9642, Kentfield, Harlan Center Room 101 or Counseling Services, Kentfield, SS 212.  You will need your Student ID (M00#) to sign up for a workshop.

What If I Cannot Attend any of the Scheduled Student Success Orientations? You will need to complete the following components in the matriculation steps.

Step 1. Apply to the College; Admission Application before you participate in any of these activities.  

Step 2. Set up your personal MyCOM Portal online account.  Remember your personal password!

Step 3. Take the ONLINE Orientation and quiz.   Call 485.9436 in Counseling Services for further assistance.     

Step 4. Sign up and take the English and Math Placement Tests.  You will need your Student ID M00# to take the tests.  See the     Testing Center Schedule.  The placement tests are given in the Testing Center located in the Student Services Building, Room SS 238 at the Kentfield Campus.  CALL 415.485.9469 to reserve a place.  If you are planning to complete an ESL Student Success Workshop, please call the       ESL Department at 415.485.9642 or go to Harlan Center Room 101.  ESL Testing is currently done only at the ESL Workshops.

     Sample Math Problems and English Questions: Examples of Math problems and English questions are available for you to review prior to taking the assessments tests. For students who have been away from school for a period of time, this may be particularly helpful. You can access these sample questions at http:/www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/accuplacer/index.html. 

Step 5. Make a counseling appointment.  Call 415.485.9432 or go to Counseling Services in the Student Services Building, Room SS 212 at the Kentfield Campus.  Bring your test results, Certificate of Completion from the Online Orientation and any other relevant information you wish the counselor to review.  You may also FAX your Certificate of Completion to Kate Dodele at 415-456-7770. Counseling Services

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*Who is Not Required to Complete the Matriculation Steps?

  1. 1. Students who have completed 15 or more semester units at College of Marin or another college (or have an AA degree or higher); OR
  2. 2. Students planning to enroll in courses that have no English or Math prerequisites or advisories. A list of these classes is available from  Counseling Services or Admissions and Records on both campuses; OR
  3. 3. Students who can show evidence that their prior learning is equivalent to 1. above.  Go to Counseling Services at Kentfield, Student Services Building, Room SS 210 and see the Administrative Assistant, or call 415.485.9431, regarding Matriculation Exemption.

Are You Concerned About the Placement Assessment? It is natural to be a little worried about taking the Placement Tests. However, the test results will not prevent you from enrolling. You may register for any course for which you have met the prerequisites.

The purpose of the tests is to provide you with information about your skill levels in English or ESL and Math to help you develop the right educational plan and take the appropriate classes. While the assessment scores are important, they are only one factor in developing your educational plan. A counselor will help you interpret the results and advise you in class selection.

Sample Math Problems and English Questions: Examples of math problems and English questions are available for you to review prior to taking the assessments tests. For students who have been away from school for a period of time, this may be particularly helpful. You can access these sample questions at www.collegeboard.com. 

Confidentiality: All test results and educational plans are confidential and protected under the Family Rights Privacy Act. (Consult the College Catalog for details.)

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Student Success Webpage
Technical Contact: Sue Scott, Administrative Assistant, 415-485-9431
Content Responsible: Theodora Fung, Counseling Chair, 415-485-9389