Last week, I went to the counseling center to get my IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum) certified and start my graduation paper work. I was glad to know I would be finishing my time here at American River at the end of the semester with a degree in Language and Literature, but to my surprise and disappointment, I was missing a class needed to fulfill my IGETC requirements.

The IGETC is used to verify that a student transferring to a four-year institution in California fulfilled his or her General Education requirements. Without it, transfer students must complete the university’s GE requirements, which may take two extra semesters and cost thousands of dollars.

Last year, I was told by a counselor that a certain class fulfilled a

requirement on the IGETC, but that counselor was wrong. So now I am scrambling to find a late starting class to add to my already busy 12 units.

I’ve heard horror stories from friends who have transferred to UC only to find out that they need to take an extra year’s worth of classes because their IGETC was not certified. One friend told me that her counselor was unsure about high school transcripts.

I recently attended an orientation for transferring students at UC Davis and was told by the Dean of the College of Letters and Sciences that it is crucial to have the IGETC certified. It is not necessary to transfer, but it is an all or nothing situation: if you are missing a class you can’t take just that one class at UC or CSU to fulfill the IGETC, you have to take any class that the university requires for their particular GE program.

The counselors are great people. They love their job, and are always

ready to help anyone out with any problem, but they are people and people make mistakes. Just because a counselor tells you something don’t take it as holy doctrine. And it doesn’t mean requirements can’t change between semesters.

A graduate of American River College should have developed critical thinking skills, so think about what you are told. Research and double check your paperwork and records on your own. If you are worried about the capabilities of your current counselor, make an appointment with a different one, just to double check.

You want the money, time and effort you are investing in your college education to count. Don’t let an error, clerical or human, keep you from completing your education. And if you need it, there is a late-term Art History class starting in March. I’ll see you then.