Academic Advising for BRCC to JMU Co-Admission Students

Your primary advisor will be Kate McDaniel, who has been working with BRCC students who wish to transfer to JMU since 2007. Kate will help you choose BRCC courses that will transfer to JMU and satisfy requirements at both BRCC and JMU based on your intended major and degree. Rajan Shore, Coordinator of Transfer Programs at BRCC, is also a valuable resource for you. Together, Kate and Rajan will work to support you and help you be successful.

To achieve a seamless transfer after your first year at BRCC, you will need to maintain a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.0, with mostly As and Bs in your BRCC classes. Classes in which you earn a D or F will not transfer and will hurt your chances of continuing to JMU after your first year. Therefore, it is very important that you maintain regular communication with your advisors and let us know if you have any problems with a class. See below for what you can expect of your academic advisors and what we expect of you.

Role of the Academic Advisor

Your BRCC and JMU academic advisors serve as a resource in providing information and assistance with the following tasks:

1. Help with academic planning and decision-making
2. Explain requirements for General Education, major and degree programs
3. Make sure that you understand how your academic decisions affect your progress toward meeting transfer and graduation requirements
4. Refer you to BRCC campus resources as needed
5. Guide your academic choices with regard to your long-term academic and career goals
6. Assist with the reverse transfer process, if applicable

While your academic advisor can be an invaluable resource for you, responsibility for final decisions about choice of major, courses that you register for, and fulfilling transfer and graduation requirements belong to you.

Role of the Student

Academic advising is an experience shared between the academic advisor and the student.  While the academic advisor can be a very helpful resource, students are responsible for the following tasks:

1. Review the undergraduate catalog and understand the academic requirements for:
   • General Education
   • Major(s)
   • Minor(s)
   • Pre-professional Program(s)
   • Degree  
2. Know who your academic advisor is, including their office location and contact information.
3. Be prepared prior to meeting with your academic advisor.  Prepare a list of questions about courses to take the next semester, transfer and/or Co-Admission program requirements.
4. Be aware of important dates in the academic calendar and understand the consequences financially and academically for missing key deadlines.
5. Advocate for yourself when personal and academic challenges occur. If you do not share concerns with your advisor or a faculty member, we will assume things are going well.
6. Seek assistance and engage with support service (tutoring, student success, advising) early and often in the semester. Don’t wait until you are overwhelmed to seek help. 
7. Meet with your advisor about enrolling in classes well before registration opens. Don't wait until the last minute!
8. Develop and maintain a relationship with your advisor. Share career goals and any special needs with the advisor. Advisors are important contacts for recommendations for study abroad programs, internships, graduate schools, and employment.
9. Consult your academic advisor throughout your academic career (note that you will be assigned to a new JMU advisor once you transfer).

Please note:

It is important that you go to your academic advisor for assistance. The transfer process can be complex and sometimes confusing – we want to help you succeed at BRCC and JMU! 

Reverse Transfer

You will have the opportunity to complete an associate degree from BRCC using JMU courses. When you transfer to JMU, you will be assigned to an academic advisor in your major. Kate will work with your new advisor and BRCC to identify JMU courses that will transfer back to BRCC and meet the associate degree requirements. Earning the associate degree will fulfill JMU’s General Education requirements.