Frequently Asked Questions: Los Angeles Valley College

Admissions & Records

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Frequently Asked Questions

Admissions & Records
Contact & Hours

Student Services Center
(SSC) 1st floor

818.947.2553

Monday - Thursday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Friday
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

How can I order transcripts?
You are entitled to (2) Transcripts or Verifications of Enrollment free of charge. This does not include the rush transcripts or verifications of enrollment. After the first two non-rush transcripts or verifications of enrollment, there will be a $3.00 per copy charge. Rush transcripts or a Verification of Enrollment will be $10.00 and processed immediately upon request. Regular transcripts or Verification of Enrollment will take up to ten (10) working days. You can order your transcripts in person by visiting the Admissions & Records Office, or order your transcripts online through National Student Clearinghouse; Transcript requests cannot be emailed or faxed. For more details, visit our Ordering Official Transcripts Web page.
Can I get an unofficial copy of my transcripts?
Yes, through the LACCD Student Information System! For more details, visit our Transcripts/Verifications Web page.
What are the hours of operation of Admissions?
MTWTh from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm and on Friday from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Applications are accepted year round. Hours are subject to change. Visit the Admissions & Records Web page for the latest information.
What is the college code?
The Federal school code is 001228. The College Board Code for financial aid is 4401.
What student services are available online?
You can apply for admission, enroll in classes, check your grades, and get unofficial transcripts. All these services are available through the LACCD Student Information System.
When are semester grades posted?
Anywhere from 1 day to 4 weeks after the end of a semester.
Are there standby or waiting list for a closed class?
Courses have “dynamic” waitlists. This means that you may add yourself to a waitlist after a class closes, and you will be added to that class when space becomes available. For more information, visit the Waitlist Policy for Closed Classes on LACCD PeopleSoft SIS FAQ. If you are unable to be added to the waitlist, once the semester starts, go to that class on the first day of classes and see if there are openings.
What is the maximum number of units I can take in a semester?
You are allowed to take up to 19 units during Spring and Fall. You can take 8 units or two classes up to 19 units during winter and summer sessions. If you wish to take more than the units allowed you will need the approval of a counselor.
How much does it cost to attend LAVC?
Find out what the current fees are by visiting our Fees Web page.
Can someone register for me?
On the telephone or on the Internet they must have specific information that is requested.
Can I change my registration after I have enrolled?
Yes. You may make changes to your registration anytime after you have completed your initial enrollment before the semester begins. Follow the Academic Calendar on the LAVC Schedule Web page for specific deadlines, or check the upcoming Academic Dates & Deadlines on the LAVC Calendar of Events.
Can I add a class after registration or after the first day of the semester?
Yes, if the class is still open you can enroll using an add permit by the instructor.
What if a class I want is closed at registration?
If possible, select another section of the class that is open. Or, if possible or desirable, change your schedule to take classes that are open. Or, attend the class you want after school starts and see if the instructor has room for more students. If the instructor allows you into the class, he/she will give you permission number, which you will enter into the Student Information System. Learn more about Permission Numbers.
How do I drop a class?
You can drop a class in person or through the Student Information System. It is your responsibility to drop a class before the deadline.
May I sit in on a class ("audit") at Valley without enrolling?
Auditing is permitted only with the written permission of the classroom instructor, using an Audit Add permit. No guarantees and audits are not covered by financial aid. It costs $15.00 per unit. There are no refunds.
What is meant by the terms "lower" and "upper" division?
Lower division courses (freshman, sophomore level) are those taught during the first two years of college. LAVC offers only lower division courses. Upper division courses (junior and senior level) are taught at a four-year college or university.
How can I tell if a course is transferable to a university?
In the LAVC schedule of classes and catalog, a course is listed as "UC" and/or "CSU" if it is transferable to the University of California and/or California State University systems respectively. For information about a course's transferability to other universities, such as private California schools, talk to a counselor.
Does having an A. A. make me eligible to transfer to the University of California?
No. An A. A. is not required for transfer nor does it make you eligible for transfer. However, many students decide to get an A. A. before they transfer. Transfer to the UC is based on high school and college courses as well as grades. Admission will be based on completion of certain major as well as general education courses. If you want an A. A., see a counselor to help you plan a program that will maximize the courses that can be used to meet both UC transfer and A. A. requirements.
Does having an A. A., make me eligible to transfer to the California State University (CSU) system?
No. However, as in the case of UC transfer, there is considerable overlap between A. A. requirements and transfer requirements, particularly in the general education areas. With careful planning and the help of a counselor, you will be able to get an A. A. and be eligible to transfer with the minimum number of courses required.
What do I need to do to transfer to one of the state colleges or universities as a junior?
The admission requirements are different for UC as opposed to CSU. The minimum requirements to enter the UC are 60 transferable units, 2.4 grade point average for California residents, and at least 7 specific general education requirements. However, admission to very popular campuses, such as UCLA or UC Berkeley, or to popular majors, such as Engineering or Business, will require higher grades and additional courses in the major. Transfer to the CSU requires 56 transferable units, a 2.0 grade point average for California residents, and at least 4 specific general education requirements. Whether applying to UC or CSU, students should have a major in mind and having completed some of the major requirements. For details and program planning, see a counselor as soon as you have decided on transfer as a goal.
What is a "W" grade?
A "W" means withdrawal. You may withdraw (drop) from full-semester classes before the end of the fourth week without a "W" notation on your academic record; however, you must submit your withdrawal request to the admissions office by the date listed in the college calendar found in the class schedule. If you withdraw from a class after the no penalty drop date the grade of "W" will appear on your academic record, as long as you have submitted your request to the admissions office. Dropping a class without submitting a request may result in an "F" grade.
If I get a "D" or an "F" in a class, what can I do?
If I get a "D" or "F" in a class, what can I do? A class in which you earned a "D" or "F" can be repeated, but only once. Using the registration system, you can re-enroll in the class; no special procedure is needed for the repeat enrollment. However, once you have completed the course and have been given a grade, you will need to file a petition for "Grade Forgiveness". Once this petition is filed, your best grade in the course will be used on your GPA while the other grade is ignored (but still visible on the transcript). You may repeat up to a lifetime maximum of 15 units at Valley College using the "Grade Forgiveness' petition to have the best of the two grades used on your grade point average.
How about bad "old" D or F grades?
If you do not want to repeat the courses and you can meet the requirements by taking another courses, it may be possible to have the D or F grades omitted from your gpa if your academic performance has improved since the time you earned those grades. The process is called "academic renewal." However, there are certain conditions that have to be met. See a counselor for details.
What is the rule on course repeats?
See the answers to the above questions. Also, unless otherwise noted in the catalog, a course for which you earned a "C"or better grade cannot be repeated. Furthermore, you may not repeat a course for which you earned an "Incomplete."
What is an incomplete grade ("I")?
You may receive an incomplete grade ("I") when your instructor believes you are unable to complete the requirements of the course, because of unforeseeable emergency and justifiable reasons, before the end of the semester. To receive credit for the course, you must finish the incomplete work no later than one year from the end of the semester in which the incomplete was assigned. You must consult the instructor or appropriate area dean for additional information.
How can I get credit by examination?
Some departments allow some courses that you may take a special examination to gain credit for a course in which you are not formally registered or have not received previous credit. If you seek credit by examination, consult the Admissions Office.
What are my responsibilities in terms of attendance?
As a student you are expected to attend every class session. Check with each instructor the first week of classes for the attendance policy of that class.
What is considered cheating?
The following are guidelines on cheating. The list itself is not meant to limit the definition of academic dishonesty. Items not on the list could constitute academic dishonesty.
- In-class cheating:
  When taking an examination, unauthorized looking at, procuring or sharing information from any unauthorized sources.
- Out-of-class cheating:
  Unauthorized acquisition, reading or knowledge of test questions prior to the testing date and time; changing any portion of a returned, graded test or report and resubmitting it as original work to be regarded; or presenting the work of another as ones own.
- Plagiarism:
  Representation of expression or ideas from either published or unpublished work(s) as students own. This also includes copying software and the violation of copyright laws.
- Furnishing false information:
  Forgery, falsification, alteration, or misuse of college documents, records, or identification in class or laboratory situations.
- Common Examples of Academic Dishonesty-(Non-inclusive):
  Copying answers from another student during in-class examinations. Turning in a report, term paper, or other assignment which has not been written by the student. The use of notes, books, dictionaries, or other references during an examination that are not authorized by the instructor. Signing an attendance sheet for another student not present in class.
- Consequences of Cheating:
  A faculty member can give a student a failing grade on the specific exam or assignment on which the student was caught cheating, because the student’s demonstrated proficiency on that exam or assignment has been compromised. Additionally, that grade can be factored into the student's overall grade. However, under current Board policy, a faculty member may not fail a student in a course as a form of discipline for cheating. Other penalties for violations of the Student Code of Conduct may be imposed by the Vice-President of Student Services.
- Repeated Violations: In the case of repeated violations or violations in deliberate disregard to the specific warning, a student will be subject to progressive discipline that could result in more serious sanctions. Violations of the Student Code of Conduct Board Rule 9803 are subject to any of the following types of disciplinary actions:
  1. Reprimand
  2. Restitution charges for damaged or misappropriated property
  3. Disciplinary Probation
  4. Disciplinary Suspension
  5. Expulsion from the college.
- Reporting Violations:
  When an alleged incident of academic dishonesty occurs, the faculty member may take the following steps to report the incident:
  1. Inform the student and the Department Chair of the alleged violation and the action
  2. Complete the SD5 form (Student Discipline) and submit it with documentation to the Vice President of Student Services.
  3. The Vice-President of Student Services will investigate the allegations and recommend any appropriate disciplinary actions, beyond any actions taken by the faculty member specific to course grading.

Frequently Asked Questions

Admissions & Records Contact & Hours

Admissions & Records
Contact & Hours