Direct Connect

General Counseling & Transfer Services

Achieve Your Educational Goals

Explore General Counseling & Transfer Services (GCTS)

Welcome to the best counseling department! Our goal is to ensure that all of our students have the guidance, support, and resources to successfully complete their educational goals. Whether you want to earn a certificate, associate degree and/or transferring to your dream college/university, GCTS has a variety of academic counseling services to meet your specific needs and support your success at SMC. 

Discover GCTS Navigation Guide 

Learn about resources and access for GCTS.

 

Connect to GCTS Student Support

GCTS offers a variety of ways to connect to student services and support.
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GCTS Location & Hours of Operation

General Counseling & Transfer Services Contact Hours (for Drop-In, Phone, Video & Express Counseling) 

GCTS will be closed on Friday, August 23rd for VIP DAY. Remote services through Qless will be available on Saturday, August 24th from 10am to 2:30pm. 

GCTS Hours of Operation & Contact Information

Location: Student Services Center, 2nd Floor
1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405-1628

Map(PDF File)(opens in new window)

Phone: 310-434-4210

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Academic Counseling Appointments (all formats) 

Academic counseling appointments (in-person, video or phone) are typically 25-30 minutes that focus on creating or updating an educational plan and learn about SMC resources. There is no limit to how many academic counseling appointments you can make each semester. Check in with GCTS counselors as often as you need.

Students can schedule a counseling appointment at any time using their SMC Corsair Connect portal. Use the links below to login and schedule an appointment today!

Corsair Connect

Step by Step Guide to Schedule a Counseling Appointment

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Video Express Counseling (Zoom)

Video express counseling are 10 minute sessions designed for brief and quick questions, such as: prerequisite waivers, unit increase requests, general transfer questions, course repetition, some enrollment issues. In order to complete video express appointments, make sure to have access to an electronic device (laptop, desktop, IPAD, or cellphone). To meet with a Video Express Counselor click the links below for instructions and current hours.

Video Express Counseling Hours

Video Express Counseling Zoom Waiting Room

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Q-LESS Drop-in Counseling (Phone)

Drop in appointments are 10 minutes. If students far exceeds the availability of a counselor, feel free to periodically try again. Please be mindful that based on wait time, counselors may not be able to reopen for the day. We will try our best to accommodate all students.

Join the Q-Less App to access the virtual line for drop-in counseling by phone. If you are using a phone to sign into Q-Less, please download the Q-Less app (Android or iOS). Once you have signed in, look for Santa Monica College Counseling Call-back. We'll send you a text message to alert you when we are ready. The counselor will call you at the number provided when it's your turn in the queue. 

Drop-In Counseling

QLESS Drop-In Counseling Sign-Up

 

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Specialized Counseling Programs

We want to meet the needs of all SMC students. GCTS offers a variety of counseling programs that specialize in students' ethnicities and cultural backgrounds, academic majors and career paths, and other student identities.

Specialized Counseling Programs & Services  

 

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Student Success Counseling Courses

Review our student success courses taught by our very own counselors! We encourage first year students to take Counseling 20 which offers student success skills and resources. Also included are courses for career and major exploration, courses for our non-credit and students with disabilities.

Counseling Courses  

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Gateway to Persistence and Success (GPS)

SMC's GPS (Gateway to Persistence and Success) is an online platform to support student success and retention. Faculty can proactively reach out to students to get them involved and supported in their academic success. Students can access Support Services, Counseling, Tutoring, and other services more quickly than the existing channels of support on campus.

GPS Information and Log In

GPS Quick Start Guide

Thrive with GCTS Navigation Tools

Utilize these tools to successfully navigate GCTS services and resources.