Top Questions Students Ask

Once you’ve logged into Starfish, go to the navigation menu  to setup your profile and explore your Success Network for access to contact information and appointment scheduling. Use the Upcoming tab to keep track of and/or cancel upcoming appointments. Use your Dashboard to see notifications and Degree Planner to an academic plans. Review the full Getting Started Guide (PDF, ) .

1. Go to the Starfishnew window site and login with your MyMC ID and password. You will be redirected to the Counseling & Advising page to schedule an appointment.
2. Look for the blue button - Schedule Appointment. Follow the prompts to select the reason for your visit, preferred day/time and location.
3. Click Continue.
4. Provide a few additional details in the box above the Confirm button. Click on Confirm to schedule the appointment. 
5. Once confirmed, be sure to monitor your MC e-mail for an e-mail and any additional notifications regarding the meeting. If you need additional assistance, please e-mail the Counseling & Advising front desk at counseling@montgomerycollege.edu. 

*Scheduled appointments are temporarily suspended during August and January. During this time, Counseling & Advising offers same-day virtual drop-in meetings by phone or zoom, as well as online advising via live chat and e-mail.   

1. From the Upcoming tab, you can view scheduled appointments and make changes.
2. Click on an appointment to make changes to it, such as changing the location or duration, when available.
3. You can cancel the appointment by clicking the ellipsis   and selecting Cancel appointment.
4. Add a message explaining why you need to cancel.
5. If you need additional assistance, please e-mail the Counseling & Advising front desk at counseling@montgomerycollege.edu.

Please e-mail the Counseling & Advising front desk at counseling@montgomerycollege.edu to alert them that you are unable to access Starfish and they will be able to assist you.

Go to the Meet with a Counselor/Advisor page to see your options for connecting with someone in Counseling & Advising. If you still need assistance, please e-mail the Counseling & Advising front desk at counseling@montgomerycollege.edu and they will get you connected with someone in Counseling & Advising.

Once you’ve logged into Starfish, go to the navigation menu,  , to access your profile and click on Edit Profile. Enter a valid US phone number and select or unselect the “Send Messages to my cell phone” checkbox. Save Changes.

Degree Planner is a tool used for academic planning. Meet with a Counselor/Advisor in order to create an initial academic plan for your declared program of study in the Starfish Degree Planner. Once a plan has been activated, you may edit the plan and submit it for review/approval by someone in Counseling & Advising.

If a plan has already been created for you, please watch the brief video for instructions on how to access the plan in Starfish.  

*If you are new to college and undecided about your program of study, you may use the Degree Planner academic planning tool to create your own plan under one of the fields of study options. More info: Fields of Study.

The Counseling & Advising Virtual Assistant (Chatbot) is our automated response that can answer general advising questions and point you to relevant College resources. This is available 24 hours/7 days a week.

You have a few different options to connect with a Counselor, including via live chat, online advising (e-mail) and/or meeting with a Counselor (by scheduled appointment or same day, drop-in only during certain months of the year). These options are listed on Meet with a Counselor/Advisor page. 

Yes, Counselors are online to chat most weekdays during the hours of operation listed on Meet with a Counselor/Advisor page. 

Examples of general advising questions and requests are: What should I do about the hold(s) on my account? What do I do about the pre-requisite error I’m receiving? Can you help me with permission to take a class for the third time? What is my ALEKS score? Am I in the correct math class for my major?

The live chat Counselor may refer you to our front desk for assistance obtaining a meeting with a Counselor. If your questions are best handled by another office, we will provide you provide you with contact information.

Go to Meet with a Counselor/Advisor page and then click on the "Start Chat" button.

A Collegewide team of Counselors monitor and typically respond within two business days or sooner to all requests for online advising.

Examples of general advising questions and requests are: What should I do about the hold(s) on my account? What do I do about the pre-requisite error I’m receiving? Can you help me with permission to take a class for the third time? What is my ALEKS score? Am I in the correct math class for my major? What classes do I have left to complete my program of study (major)? Am I registered for the right classes for my (program of study) major and/or transfer school?

If your questions are more complex or need more discussion, the Online Advisor may refer you to our front desk for assistance obtaining a meeting with a Counselor.

If your questions are best handled by another office, we will provide you with contact information. 

Be sure to complete all fields included on the Counseling & Advising Online Advising Request Formnew window. When completing the online form, you will be asked to provide your M#, program of study (major), MC e-mail address and a brief explanation of your questions/concerns. 

If you need an override based on a SAT/ACT/AP score or transcript, be prepared to attach the supporting documents or transcripts while completing the Online Advising Request Formnew window.

The Online Advisor (Counselor) may request additional information/clarification to best answer your question.

Go to Meet with a Counselor/Advisor page and then click on "Send a Questionnew window".

Our team is comprised of full-time and part-time Counseling faculty. We also have instructional faculty from a range of academic departments that serve as “Cadre” advisors.

Examples of questions and requests are: Examples questions and requests are: I am unsure of my major? I need to make an academic plan. I have lots of questions. I need a SAP. 

If your questions are best handled by another office, we will provide you provide you with contact information.

Schedule a meeting using the Starfish system. Go to Meet with a Counselor/Advisor page and then click on the "Schedule a Meeting" links under the Meet with Us section of the page. If you need help scheduling a meeting, fill out our request formnew window to receive assistance from our front desk. 

In August and January, Counseling & Advising offers same-day, virtual meetings (scheduled appointments are temporarily suspended during this time).

Academic planning is the process of defining your educational goals in order to determine the best path to accomplish them. Course planning is a significant part of this process and is best done in collaboration with a Counselor or Program Advisor. It is critical that you play an active role in this process from start to finish. 

Advising is a shared responsibility between the advisor and the student. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the student to make decisions about his or her life goals by creating a plan to reach those goals.

Counselors help students with their personal, career, and educational goals. Along with program advisors, they help students select the courses that are right for them. Counselors also teach student development courses, such as the First Year Seminar, and provide interventions and support when students need help.

Academic Program Advisors teach in specific programs of study (majors) and help students choose classes, understand options, and determine resources.

If your questions are best handled by another office, we will provide you provide you with contact information.

Find out here.

Counseling & Advising can provide brief personal counseling on a short-term basis to deal with an immediate concern. The primary emphasis is on supporting students to achieve their educational goals.

Counseling & Advising does not provide ongoing therapy services to students, but can provide referrals to other resources and services.

The college community has resources and programming, both in the community and on campus, to help students get and stay mentally healthy. Check out some great resources: Mental Health and Wellness

Please call, text, or chat 24 hours a day:

Montgomery County Crisis Hotline: 240-777-4000
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255. Press 1 for Veterans Crisis Line
Online chat supportnew window
Text chat support: Text “Start” to 741741
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233

Some common challenges students face are access to health care, housing, food, mental health support, and personal safety. Montgomery College's network of community resources helps remove those obstacles to support your academic success.

Your health and wellness can have an impact on academic success. Our Student Wellness Center identifies, provides, and connects students to resources that support success.