New Student Orientation
Welcome to San Antonio College!
New Student Orientation (NSO) is a mandatory requirement for all first time college students and transfer students with less than 7 transfer credit hours. NSO ensures that students are aware of campus resources, student support services, campus safety, and the different ways they can engage on campus. NSO also includes a Group Advising (GA) session where you will register for classes.
NSO is required for:
- First Time In College (FTIC) students (have never attended a college or university).
- Transfer students with less than 7 credit hours that have transferred over to SAC.
- Dual Credit students are not exempt from NSO.
NSO exceptions
- Returning/former students
- Transfer students with more than 7 transferred credit hours
- Transient students (those who enroll with the intention of earning credit without pursuing a degree or certificate from SAC)
Note: If you wish to attend an orientation, please contact sac-nso@alamo.edu.
Step 1: Complete Enrollment Checklist
All enrollment steps must be completed before attending an NSO.
Contact your Certified Enrollment Coach for questions about the checklist.
Step 2: Sign up for New Student Orientation
Note: SAC NSO is only available for SAC students.
Step 3: Check Student Email for Confirmation
Note: Once you RSVP for NSO, you will receive a confirmation email within 2-3 business days with details from the NSO team.
NSO FAQs
Yes. NSO is a mandatory enrollment step for all FTIC students and transfer students who had less than 7 credit hours tranfer to SAC.
- Returning/former students
- Transient students
- Transfers that have more than 7 credit hours that have transferred over to SAC.
Although we would love for you to bring a guest, we have limited seating. The seats are reserved for our new first time college students.
Nothing. Just your enthusiasm and positivity!
No. Space is limited for each session. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate students who are walk-ins. Students who failed to RSVP to NSO, have not been pre-screened, therefore are unable to register for classes during NSO.
Yes. You are expected to arrive on time and attend the entire session to successfully complete the NSO requirement. If you have prior commitments, please reschedule.
Yes. You will register during the Group Advising session that occurs after NSO.
Yes. You will register during the Group Advising portion that occurs after the NSO presentation is complete.
No. However, we do have a café/cafeteria on site, which only takes credit cards (NO CASH). We also have vending machines in our building. You are also more than welcome to bring your own food and drinks into the NSO room.
There is no way to cancel your NSO. If you cannot make it and wish to reschedule, just go back into Alamo Experience and sign up for another NSO session.
You will sign up for online orientation the same way you would for in-person. The only difference is the NSO staff will screen your student record and will manually add you into the online orientation in Canvas. NSO staff will email you within 1 - 2 days with instructions on how to access the online orientation in Canvas.
No. Online orientation is continuously being offered. Disregard the date the online orientation provides because it is open for sign-ups the entire month.
Group advising is a registration session, that is conducted in a group format. Advisors and staff are available to support you and answer your questions while you register for your classes. This will occur after the NSO presentation.
No. It is a computer lab, therefore, the seat is only for the student who is registering. Guests will be required to wait in the lobby.
During GA, you will receive assistance from a group of advisors and staff. After GA, you will receive an assigned academic advisor by the census date of the semester (view academic calendar). You can locate your advisor’s contact information in your ACES account under the “MY PAGE” tab by the census date.
No. You must attend the NSO for the full allotted time, then staff will help you get to your GA session.
Yes. Please check the email address you used.
You can change your major the day of GA.
General FAQs
Interpreting Services at the Alamo Colleges provide interpreting services for deaf or hard of hearing students in the classroom and lab. The Interpreting Services manages, coordinates interpreting services and on-boarding services to new students.
For more information, please email dst-interpreting@alamo.edu.
Please contact our disABILITY Support Services at sac-dSS@alamo.edu or call (210) 486-0020.
You are welcome to park for free in any open (and legal) spot in one of our parking lots or parking garages. A parking permit is not required. Check your confirmation email to locate the building your orientation will be held in.