Neurodiversity Navigators operates as a cohort model and accepts students into cohorts on an annual basis each summer. The 2023-24 application cycle has begun. See deadlines below.
Current Bellevue College students
- You can use our tiered services all year! See the Current Students page for everything that is available to you right now.
- If you’d like to join the full program, you can start at step 8 on the checklist below after watching our program videos!
For students joining our cohort program in Summer 2023
Welcome! We’re glad you’ve found us! Contact us if you need support with any part of the process! Work through the steps below to join the Neurodiversity Navigators program.
Here’s a Quick Program Enrollment Checklist!
Download the PDF on the left to keep track of where you are in the process.
If you need more information about any step, use the expanded tabs below to learn more.
We’re here to help you every step along the way!
All deadlines listed are the very last day you can do something. Please do your best to complete items as far ahead of deadlines as possible.
- You must attend the Summer FYS 101: Neurodiversity Cohort
- Five weeks, Monday through Thursday, 1:30-3 p.m., July 10 – August 10, 2023, on-campus or virtual. Must attend a minimum of 75% of classes to pass. (15 of 20 classes)
- Students will not be able to join the program if they do not complete this course.
- Please contact us if you run into barriers, including missed deadlines.
*1. Watch Videos & Attend a Q&A information session
Scroll down mid-page on the Information Session page to watch. The second video is the most important if you don’t have time to watch all three.
Then, RSVP for a Q&A Information Session. At the Zoom Q&A session, you’ll get a chance to ask any questions you have about the program or how to apply.
*2. Apply to Bellevue College for Summer Quarter (by 6/9)
Be sure to mark SUMMER 2023 as your first quarter. You must apply to the college no later than June 9, 2023.
- See the Enrollment Calendars here. Enroll as soon as possible.
*Notes:
- If you need help with this process, there are Admissions Advisors to support you!
- If you are a Running Start student, or CEO Student, be sure to follow all High School programs guidelines as well.
- Email runningstartsummer@bellevuecollege.edu to register for the required FYS 101: Neurodiversity Cohort.
- Check with your program for additional information and guidelines.
3. Create your Bellevue College email address
When you receive your ctcLink ID from the college, create your Bellevue College email address. This is called your NetID. Be sure to write down or remember your password! You will also need to remember your ctcLink ID and your Bellevue College email address.
As a college student, you have a legal right to privacy. If you want your parents or someone else to be included in information, or be able to phone or email on your behalf, you must fill out a Release of Information Form (FERPA form). Please email this to us from your Bellevue College email address.
4. Determine your English placement.
To join our program, you must assess into English 072 or above at the Testing Center.
- This is to ensure that you will be able to understand the course material and complete the assignments.
- Taking the assessment allows the college to tell you which is the best level English course for you to start with so you can have a successful experience.
We cannot meet with you until you’ve completed this, so get it done as soon as possible!
There are many ways to assess into English 072 or above
If you have any of the items listed below, it’s possible that the Testing Center can use them in place of an assessment test:
- Smarter Balanced scores
- AP/IB/Cambridge test scores
- College transcripts
- PSAT/SAT scores
To check your scores for the above tests, see the English Placement page and scroll down mid-page to “Other Test Scores”.
Note – all placement is determined through the Testing Center. You’ll find all the ways they determine placement on their site.
Please note: Neurodiversity Navigators does not accept English Assessment via high school transcript for acceptance into our program. Please tell the Testing Center that you need to either use one of the above options or take an assessment test. Please let us know if you have questions.
PLEASE NOTE: If you do not have the materials listed above, you will need to take the English Assessment. Fill out the form listed on the Testing Center Testing Assessment Request page under “Take a BC Placement Test.”
You must complete your English placement assessment prior to your meeting with us.
- It’s a good idea to also take your math assessment now. Taking math right away in college will help you retain the information you already know, whether you plan to take one math class or several. Math is required for almost all degree paths.
As soon as you have scheduled your appointment with the Testing Center, you can begin Steps 5 & 6 below.
5. Attend BC New Student Orientation AND
- Register for FYS 101: Neurodiversity Cohort
Please attend the live session (online or on-campus) New Student Orientation. At the live session, you will meet with an academic advisor. (Live sessions begin soon!)
- These sessions take approximately 2 hours.
- You will learn about college services and resources, paying for college, important policies, class registration, and other ways to prepare for success at Bellevue College.
Be sure to let advisors know that you are planning to be part of the Neurodiversity Navigators program and have them include our courses into your academic plan.
- If they don’t have the list of courses, you can share it with them: Neurodiversity Navigators course sequence.
Be sure to save space in your schedule for the Fall EXPRL 180 Skills for Navigating College and Career class (permission code required).
- Remind the advisors that you need to register for FYS 101: Neurodiversity Cohort this summer (no permission code required.)
- Please register ONLY for the 3-credit FYS 101 course. We do not recommend taking any other classes during the summer.
- Incoming Housing students will be provided an exception to the 6-credit requirement if they are taking only FYS 101: Neurodiversity Cohort and are part of the Neurodiversity Navigators program.
If you choose to take the self-paced New Student Orientation, you will need to make a separate appointment to complete Step 6, below.
If you took the synchronous New Student Orientation and registered for FYS 101: Neurodiversity Cohort with an Academic Advisor, you can skip Step 6 and move on to Step 7!
You can download a full list of the Neurodiversity Navigators course series here.
6. & 7. Meet with an Academic Advisor
- You will plan summer and fall courses with an academic advisor during the BC Orientation (see step #5 above.)
- Register for FYS 101: Neurodiversity Cohort
- Please register ONLY for the 3-credit FYS 101 course. We do not recommend taking any other classes during the summer.
- Incoming Housing students will be provided an exception to the 6-credit requirement if they are taking only FYS 101: Neurodiversity Cohort and are part of the Neurodiversity Navigators program.
You will need to meet with an Academic Advisor to plan your first quarter classes and talk about your overall plans.
Be sure to let them know that you are planning to be part of the Neurodiversity Navigators program and have them include our courses into your academic plan. If they don’t have the list of courses, you can share it with them: Neurodiversity Navigators course sequence.
Note: You may have already completed this step at New Student Orientation in Step 5.
Additional academic advising tools can be found here. Note: it’s important to use these tools AND meet with Academic Advisors. Do not plan your path only with parents or others outside the college. Support people, including parents, are welcome to attend Advising meetings with you.
We recommend taking ONLY FYS 101: Neurodiversity Cohort for summer. You must attend this summer class to join the Neurodiversity Navigators program. Incoming Summer Housing students can receive an exception to the 6 credit requirement if they are taking only FYS 101: Neurodiversity Cohort and are part of Neurodiversity Navigators.
We do not recommend taking any other classes during the summer because summer is an accelerated quarter, meaning students must complete the same amount of work as an 11-week quarter during 6 weeks. Other supports, such as peer mentors and tutors are generally not available during the summer.
- Summer Quarter Cohort Class: FYS 101: Neurodiversity Cohort. Five weeks, Monday through Thursday, 1:30-3 p.m., July 10 – August 10, 2023.Attendance is required. In class and outside of class college-level work will be required. This class is 3 credits and provides restricted-transferable college credit.
- FYS is required for all Bellevue College students. The curriculum is not unique to the Neurodiversity Navigators program, although it is taught as a cohort class for students to begin to form a community. Any neurodivergent student can register for this course. No permission code is needed.
- Fall Quarter Cohort Class: EXPRL 180: Skills for Navigating College and Career. This class is 2 credits and provides restricted-transferable credit.
- Course days and times to be determined
- Once the course days and times are determined, you will need to let us know which section of this course you want so we can send you a registration access code.
Fill out a Request for Appointment form to schedule a meeting with us.
- You will need your ctcLink ID from Bellevue College to apply, as well as your Bellevue College email address.
The purpose of this appointment is for you to have a conversation with program administrators to ensure that you understand the program, that it is your decision to be part of the program (not anyone else’s!) and to ensure that everything else is in place.
We will also talk to you about what classes you will be taking.
Be sure to finish all previous steps (1-6) prior to your appointment time.
Note: A student’s successful participation in the Neurodiversity Navigators program is directly correlated to their desire to be part of the program. Parents and others should not pressure, push, or entice students to participate against their will. Students are welcome to “try out” the program if they are unsure.
Appointment Applications close on July 2, 2023, and we must meet with you by July 6. If you’ve missed this deadline, please contact us to see if we still have space and time!
9. Check your Bellevue College email regularly.
After our meeting, watch your BC email for an email from us with important registration information.
We will mail students only, at their Bellevue College email address, unless we have a signed FERPA release form.
10. Register for classes.
You should have already registered for FYS 101: Neurodiversity Cohort in Step #5 or 6. If not, do it now!
Register for the required Fall Neurodiversity Navigators class and other classes you will be taking by the deadline given in the email we send you.
- We cannot hold a spot for you in the program if you have not registered by the deadline.
- Be sure to also pay for your classes. The college will automatically drop students from classes for non-payment and you will likely not be able to recover the classes.
If you register for classes prior to meeting with us, please save time in your Fall schedule for the following course:
- Fall Quarter Cohort Class: EXPRL 180: Skills for Navigating College and Career. This class is 2 credits and provides restricted-transferable credit. Class days and times to be determined.
- We do not recommend Summer classes besides the FYS 101 course.
- We will give you access codes and course registration information once you meet with us.
11. Fill out the Availability Survey.
Watch your BC email for the Availability Survey. The survey lets us know if you have any standing appointments or work obligations that would keep you from being able to meet with a peer mentor at a particular time.
- Be sure to respond to the survey fully and completely by the deadline given in the email.
11. Pay for your classes!
Classes will be dropped by the college for nonpayment. You can:
- Pay all at once
- Set up a payment plan
- Apply for Financial Aid
Final Step: Stay in touch with us!
Let us know if you change your schedule for Fall classes. We cannot accommodate schedule changes past August 24.
Once we set your peer mentor appointment, we cannot change it.
- Please contact us with concerns at asn@bellevuecollege.edu if you are having difficulty with the deadlines – we’re here to help!
- We are unable to hold individual information meetings. Please watch the videos then record your questions and email, text, or chat with us about them.
- Please pay close attention to deadlines for course registration, as well as payment deadlines, and check your Bellevue College email daily for important updates, both from the Neurodiversity Navigators program and from the College.
- All steps must be completed prior to July 2. FYS 101: Neurodiversity Cohort meets for five weeks during Summer 2023 quarter. All students must attend this. Please contact us with questions or to problem-solve barriers!
- If you’ve missed a deadline, please contact us so we can help!
- We strongly recommend that students register with the Disability Resource Center for ADA Testing and Classroom accommodations, however, we do not require it. During our appointment with you, we can discuss this. If you wish to have classroom and testing accommodations, the steps are below:
- Follow the steps on their “Getting Started” page:
- A DRC access coordinator will contact you to complete an Initial Access appointment. Watch your Bellevue College email and respond as soon as possible! They will email only the student unless you have a FERPA on file with them for others.
- The accommodations process takes time! Do this as soon as possible, concurrent with setting things up with us!
- Purchase and start reading: On Course: Strategies for Creating Success in College and in Life (any edition, buy used! There are several options under $10 online.) This book is not required, however, we highly recommend it. Students should read whichever parts interest them.
What are the most important things you can do to support your student in preparing for college? Watch these videos and find out!
For questions, or support with the application process, visit Support with Applying to Neurodiversity Navigators.
Email: asn@bellevuecollege.edu (best way to contact)
Text: (833) 227-4551
Phone: 425.564.2764 (if we do not answer, please leave a message and your email address)
Please contact us if you run into any barriers, including missed deadlines.
Not sure you want to take our cohort classes or use the full program services? Check out the support we provide to all neurodivergent students at Bellevue College.
Explore more about Bellevue College here.
Last Updated May 30, 2023
