Academic Advising Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find important dates and deadlines?
Please review the Academic Calendar.
What’s the difference between advising and counseling?
Academic Advising is the interactive process of guiding students through course selection based on assessment outcomes, intended academic/career goals and future transfer colleges and universities.
Counseling is the provision of assistance and guidance in resolving personal, social, and psychology problems and difficulties by a professional.
Should I be advised even if it is not required?
Yes. It is recommended that students be advised early each semester to determine course planning and transfer eligibility.
When should I meet with my academic advisor?
What is a TSI Advising Hold?
A Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Hold is placed on a student’s record when the student does not meet college-readiness standards in Math and/or English-Language Arts (ELAR) on the Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA). These students are required to be advised each semester until they complete their developmental course sequence(s).
How can I prepare for my advising session?
Be prepared to discuss your career path, transfer institution, and intended major.
If you are looking to transfer to a 4-yr college or university, research your desired institution’s admissions requirements.
Review your Degree Audit. For more information about Degree Audit, review this video:
Prepare any questions or concerns that you have about your current degree status and bring these to your advising session.
What is a Degree Audit?
Your Degree Audit displays the progress you are making toward your collegiate or technical goals. It also allows students to review previous advising sessions notes and planners. For more information about your Degree Audit, review this video:
Where do I turn in my high school or other college transcripts or shot records?
All admissions documentation must be submitted to Enrollment Services/Admissions prior to meeting with an academic advisor.
For guidance on submitting admissions documents: www.blinn.edu/admissions/forms.html
I need to take the TSIA or MPE. What do I do?
Visit the Blinn College Testing Center site for more information.
How do I register for courses?
Before attempting to register, make sure that you have completed all Admissions and Testing requirements. You will register for classes by logging into your myBLINN portal.
What is the MPE?
MPE stands for “Math Placement Exam.” Students who will need to take Calculus courses have the option to take the MPE if they are TSI-satisfied in Math and believe they can test out of one or more prerequisite classes.
For more information: www.blinn.edu/testing/math-placement-exam.html
What is a Q drop or a W? How many Q drops are allowed?
A Q-drop is a notation on a student’s transcript when a class is dropped without academic penalty. A student is only allowed six Q-drops during their entire undergraduate academic career. This means that the number of Q-drops a student uses will transfer with them to other public colleges in Texas.
A W (withdrawal) on a transcript is a complete removal from coursework due to unforeseen circumstances. Withdrawals must be documented and approved by Blinn College. No penalty is assessed on the student’s academic transcript.
Please Note: Dropping or withdrawing from classes can impact your state and federal financial aid eligibility.
When do I contact my intended transfer institution?
Who can I speak to about Financial Aid?
Are there services for students with disabilities?
Students with documented disabilities may seek support from Blinn College's Office of Disability Services. Students are encouraged to contact this office as early as possible to make an appointment or to receive more information.
Does Blinn offer online classes?
Yes! For more information about our course formats, click here. If you’re thinking about taking an online class, check out the video below.
How do I drop a course?
First, review the information on this website www.blinn.edu/stop-before-you-drop to consider how dropping a class may affect you.
Additionally, if you use state or federal financial aid, watch this video:
If you’ve determined that you should continue with dropping the class and you do not have any holds*:
- Log into myBLINN.
- Click on the Add/Drop icon.
- Choose the appropriate term (ex: Fall 2023 or Spring 2025).
- Select “Web Drop” or choose your reason for dropping the class in the drop-down menu next to the name of the class.
- Click “Submit Changes” at the bottom of the page.
Please be aware that, outside of extreme unforeseen circumstances, students may only drop or withdraw during the designated drop/withdrawal period or before classes begin. Use the Academic Calendar to find the add and drop dates for your classes: www.blinn.edu/calendar
If you have a hold on your account that prevents you from dropping a class using the steps above, fill out the Drop Form for Students with Holds BEFORE the drop deadline.
How do I change my major?
Sign-in to speak with an academic advisor using the options on this website: www.blinn.edu/academic-advising/hours.html
I am struggling in a course. Where can I get help? Do you offer tutoring assistance?
Tutoring is available for free online and in the Learning Centers on the Brenham, Bryan, and RELLIS campuses. Students enrolled with the Schulenburg and Sealy campuses should utilize online tutoring or contact Enrollment Services for in-person information.