Orientation
Orientation
Welcome to Miles College, home of the Golden Bears. We are First Year Enrichment and will be guiding you through your freshman orientation and a year filled with exciting events and opportunities. Freshman orientation is mandatory and is your first step in starting your initiation into the Miles College family. You and your family will learn about the extensive array of programs geared towards you becoming a successful student and graduate.
Orientation for the Class of 2017 begins with two sessions. The first, band members and athletics orientation runs from August 4-10, 2013. The second, for all other students is from August 11-18, 2013. Residential Halls will begin accepting students at 9:00 a.m. each session, and orientation activities will begin at 1:00 p.m. on each opening date.
During the week of orientation, you will learn about:
- - Academic expectations
- - Miles College programs and services
- - Interact with your mentors, academic advisors, classmates, and faculty
- - Take the COMPASS exam if required
- - Register for classes and develop your four year curriculum requirements
- - Taking care of all outstanding matters that can impact your enrollment
Orientation Schedule | Move In Date | Directions to Miles | Student Resources | COMPASS Test and Academics Advising | Parent Guide | Peer Mentor | Contact Us | FAQs
Click HERE to access the Orientation Schedule (Back to the Top)
Orientation Schedule August 4-10, 2013
Orientation Schedule August 11-18, 2013
Move In Day (Back to the Top)
You should have your housing application completed and deposit paid before you arrive on campus for orientation. Students can begin moving in at 9:00 a.m.. Before checking into the Residential Housing, please register at the admissions tent located in front of the cafeteria. You will be required to unload your vehicles as quickly as possible (10-15 minutes) so that other families can move in quickly. Student mentors will be there to assist you.
Once the unloading process is completed you will be directed to a designated parking area. You and your parents will be guided to the location listed on the schedule for the day’s activities. Orientation activities begins at 1:00 p.m. Your cooperation is essential to making move in day a success.
How to get to Miles College (Back to the Top)
Miles College Address is:
5500 Myron Massey Boulevard
Fairfield, Alabama 35064
From Atlanta
From Montgomery
From Tuscaloosa
Student Resources (Back to the Top)
- Orientation Package
- List of what to bring to college
- Contact List
COMPASS Testing and Academic Advising (Back to the Top)
What is the COMPASS exam?
The COMPASS Placement exam is a computerized tool used to determine your skill level that corresponds to course placement in levels in math, reading, and writing. Placement test scores demonstrate satisfaction and skill levels required for enrollment in first level Miles College courses. You will be tested in reading, writing, and math. You will be exempt from taking the COMPASS if you:
- Have an ACT score above 16 and a; SAT above 790 within the last 5 years
- Have an associate degree or higher
- Transferring college-level English and math courses with a “C” or better
- Are non-degree seeking
- Completed required developmental coursework at another institution within 5 years
- Can provide documentation of prior assessment ( COMPASS, ASSET or Accuplacer) within the last 5 years
- Are a transient student
COMPASS exam is untimed; (you can take as long as you require); however, students should allot two hours to complete the test. Upon completion, the scores will be generated and used by your advisor for course placement.
What if I fail to not make the required score?
Developmental Education courses are courses designed to strengthen students’ basic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics so that students can cope more successfully with college-level work. All developmental courses are numbered 099 and 100 in the college catalog. Students not meeting the required COMPASS score in reading, writing, and mathematics will enroll in the level of development course in which they are deficient. You will be required to complete and pass the associated remedial course before taking the next level college course.
How can I prepare?
ACT COMPASS Placement tests measure the skills you have already learned in high school. You may need some preparation before taking the exam. Listed below are some sample questions broken down by subject that you may encounter. You can use the information below to help in your preparation prior to taking the COMPASS. If you need video assistance in helping your tutorial experience you can log on to videos on www.khanacademy.org for additional assistance with math or reading problems.
YouTube Video Assistance for COMPASS Mathematics
Precollege Algebra Prerequisite
COMPASS Preparation Web Pages
Mathematics: Pre-Algebra (HTML)
Mathematics: Pre-Algebra and Algebra (PDF).
Mathematics: College Algebra (HTML)
Mathematics: Trigonometry (HTML)
Mathematics: College Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry .
The following community colleges web sites have information that is excellent in assisting you in your preparation:
Study Guide section. Joliet Junior College:
http://www.jjc.edu/services-for-students/academic-resources/academic-skills- center/Pages/compass-review-materials.aspx
Johnson County Community College: www.jccc.edu/testing/math-placement.html
Can I take the exam before I come to orientation?
Yes. You can take the COMPASS exam prior to orientation by contacting the Counseling Advising and Testing Center (CAT) at (205) 929-1824. We encourage you to speak with your advisor prior to coming to orientation. The name of your advisor is listed on the letter in your acceptance package; call the CAT center for questions you may have.
Parent Resources (Back to the Top)
Parental involvement is the key to a student’s success here at Miles College. We encourage you to attend the one day parent orientation to prepare you to help your son or daughter succeed. You will learn about the financial aid process, class scheduling, campus safety, class attendance policies, the impact of academic performance on continue receipt of financial aid, the federal law protecting student information ( FERPA), waiver forms students can sign that allows you to learn about student academic performance , and meet faculty and staff.
Students whose parents are involved in their education from orientation to graduation generally have higher grades and graduate, therefore attending orientation is very important. It gives you opportunities to learn more about:
- How you can help with students success
- The financial aid process
- Miles College policies and procedures
- Developing relationships with faculty and staff
Let this not be a onetime visit. Miles College has a variety of cultural and sporting events that you can attend with your son or daughter. Our schedule of sporting events can be found by clicking HERE
If you are thinking of staying overnight in the Birmingham area, a visitor’s guide can be found at http://visitbirmingham.com/
Tips for Parents
- 1. If a student’s ACT/SAT scores are below 16 and 790 respectively they may requires to take the COMPASS placement exams. Click HERE to learn more about the COMPASS. This is necessary to determine their placement in developmental course which they must pass before they pursue courses within their curriculum.
- 2. The COMPASS closely resembles the ACT and takes and approximately two hours to complete. We encourage students to prepare themselves for the exam. Practice questions for the COMPASS are available (Click HERE for Information).
- Review the to-do-checklist with your son or daughter to ensure they complete all items before they come for orientation. The list can be found by click HERE. A phone list of all campus departments that can assist you can be found at (Directory) while the campus directory is available at https://www.miles.edu/faculty.
- Before your son or daughter leaves home, talk to them about financial responsibility. Remember that money borrowed for their education has to be repaid. The ability to budget and handle their responsibilities is a college survival skill they must learn.
- Learn more about the campus by visiting the parents link on the Miles College web page at https://www.miles.edu/
- Throughout the semester, talk to your son or daughter about studying, attending classes, grades in courses, how to find help when they need it, engage with positive friends and become involved in campus events that help their development.
- Develop relationships with faculty and staff. Get phone numbers and emails for ease of communication.
CONTACT US: (Back to the Top)
Miles College FYE
5500 Myron Massey Blvd.
Fairfield, AL 35064
205.929.1585