Drop-In Advising - Cabrillo College

Decorative Image: Counselor working with a student sitting at a desk

Got a Quick Question?

Visit Drop-In Advising

Learn How to Choose Classes

View a Sample Program Map

Visit Us On Campus or Online

Counseling Services are not available during Spring Break: March 23-27

Drop-in advising provides, quick, first-come, first-served, 5–15 minute sessions with Academic Counselors. It is ideal for urgent, short questions regarding course selection, prerequisite clearances, adding/dropping classes, or simple form submissions.

Ideal topics for Drop-In:

Selecting or changing your major
Course selection
Prerequisite clearance
Corequisite troubleshooting

Overload petition
Petition to repeat a course

Academic renewal

Please remember, drop-in advising is not a substitute for scheduled appointments. For in-depth discussions, such as creating a full-education plan or addressing personal academic concerns, we will assist you as much as possible during the session. However, we may ask you to schedule a follow-up appointment or direct you to additional resources for further assistance.

Prepare to meet with an Academic Counselor - you'll have about 10 minutes:

Have your Cabrillo Student ID# for check-in
Review the program map for your major and add classes to your plan
Review this presentation to learn how to add classes in Student Planning
Make a list of your questions
Be ready to share documents including transcripts from other colleges or universities, AP, IB and CLEP scores
Submit documents to Admissions & Records

students at grad ceremony "high-fiving" each other

Drop-In Hours

Aptos Bldg 100

Mon-Thurs

10 am – 2:30 pm

Watsonville SRC A120

Mon-Thurs

10 am – 2:30 pm

💻 Virtual advising on Wednesdays

Wednesday's

10am - 12:30pm

Join Zoom before 12:30pm on Wednesday to save your spot on the list

Wednesday Virtual Drop-In Zoom Room

Quick Links

Academic Counseling Home

Prerequisite Clearance

Learn More ▼

No Appointment Needed

First come, First served

Check-in with Staff at the Academic Counseling Desk, inside Building 100

Masks recommended

Can’t get to campus? You can speak with an Academic Counselor over the phone. Call in during Drop-in hours to get on the Drop-In list; provide a callback number and be ready to answer when the Academic Counselor calls. If you are not able to pick up, the Academic Counselor will leave a voicemail message requesting you call us back to get back on the drop-in list. (831) 479-6274

Check in with Staff at the Student Resource Center, Room A120

Masks recommended

Visit us on ZOOM

ProTip: Log on EARLY to secure your spot "in line." The Waiting Room will close at the posted end time or earlier if the Waiting Room is full. Wait time can be anywhere from 10-45 minutes.

Be prepared to share your screen
Be logged into Self-Service
Audio is critical - we need to be able to hear each other - please test your microphone and speakers in Zoom to make sure everything is working
No camera? No problem! Video is not needed

What to Expect when you log onto Virtual Drop-In:

Launch Zoom from the link posted on the Virtual Drop-In Schedule
First, you will see a message on the screen that you are in the Waiting Room and the Host will let you in shortly
1. The wait time in the Waiting Room is typically 5 minutes but during peak times it can be as long as 45 minutes depending on how many students are ahead of you.
2. We will message the Waiting Room with updates as we can.
3. While waiting, keep an eye on your device and be ready to "connect to your audio" when prompted on the screen.
Next, you will be invited into the Main Reception Room and be greeted by your Host
1. To preserve privacy, students are invited into the Main Reception Room one at a time
2. Your Host will ask you some questions to make sure you are in the right place
3. Please rename yourself in Zoom with your preferred name and 7-digit Cabrillo Student ID#
Then, you will be invited to Join a Breakout Room, where you will wait for an Academic Counselor to join you
1. Your wait time in the Breakout Room will vary depending on how many students are ahead of you
2. While waiting, log into student planning, have your student ID# handy, and your questions ready