Discover GCTS Navigation Guide
Learn about resources and access for GCTS.
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.
Connect to GCTS Student Support
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
Phone: 310-434-4210
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!
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.
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.
QLESS Drop-In Counseling Sign-Up
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
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.
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.
Thrive with GCTS Navigation Tools
Utilize these tools to successfully navigate GCTS services and resources.
Student Counseling, Guidance & Resource Community
This community was intentionally designed to highlight services that interconnect.
Admissions & Records
Financial Aid
Career Services
