Academic Advising Part One

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Academic Advising Part One

• Welcome to Western
• and Academic Advising!

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Snapshot of this Advising Session

• How academic advising works
• Entering as High Credit freshman
• Important Academic Resources
• Graduation Requirements
• General University Requirements (GUR) and a
  liberal arts education, or DTA
• GUR and Degree evaluation on Web4U

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Advising at Summerstart

• Today
• Large group general advising
• Small group advising by interest area
• Tomorrow
• Reconnect with faculty and Academic Student
  Advisor (ASA)
• Registration alert registration advisors to
  your high credit status

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Advising at Western

• Summerstart advisor is your academic advisor
  until major is declared
• When major is declared, you will be assigned
  advisor in the major department
• May want to visit with department of interest
  today or tomorrow, particularly if overrides are
  required. Ask faculty advisor or ASA to
  facilitate a visit and guide you to the location.
• The Academic Advising Center (AAC) and Student
  Outreach Services (SOS) are available throughout
  your time at Western.

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Entering as High Credit Freshmen

• Should have 45 to 105 college credits from your
  previous school(s).
• GUR are, or should be, nearly or completely
  finished.
• You should be ready to begin choosing and
  declaring a major. Be aware you will have a hold
  on your registration if you complete 120 credits
  and have not declared a major.
• You will be assigned an advisor in your major
  department when you declare.

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Differences You Can Expect

• If entering with 70 credits, you need to be
  ready to choose and declare a major.
• Different evaluation of class
• Class sizes
• Study Time needed 2 hrs. study time for each
  credit hour
• Students have responsibility for academic
  success.

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Materials at Check-in

• Catalog
• Degree Planning Guide (DPG)
• Envelope
• Student Advising Sheet
• Transfer Equivalency Report, if transcripts are
  in
• GUR evaluation, if transcripts are in
• FIG registration, if applicable
• Trial Schedule Form
• Math Guide (for use if you take math)
• Bring all these materials back for tomorrow

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The Catalog

• The Catalog contains
• Academic departments and programs arranged alpha
  within each college that Western offers
• Course descriptions
• Academic Policies (pages 34 42)
• Appendices

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Degree Planning Guide

• The Degree Planning Guide (DPG) is a supplement
  to the Catalog. It provides information from
  enrollment to graduation.
• The DPG Includes
• GUR Expanded Course Descriptions
• Major Declaration information
• Registration related information, and more

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Graduation Requirements

• 180 quarter credits
• General University Requirements (GUR)
• Major
• 60 credit upper division (300 and 400 level)
• Writing Proficiency (WP)
• 45 credits taken at Western including final
  quarter
• Cum 2.0 GPA (recommend higher)

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The General University Requirements (GUR)

• The value of a liberal arts education . . .

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Liberal Arts Video
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General University Requirements (GUR)

• Communication
• ACOM
• BCOM or CCOM
• Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning (QSR)
• 1 of 4 options
• Humanities (HUM)
• 12 credits, at least 3 classes from at least two
  different departments, or approved set

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GUR continued . . .

• Social Sciences (SSC)
• 12 credits, at least 3 classes from at least two
  different departments
• Comparative Gender and Multicultural Studies
  (CGM)
• One class from Block A (ACGM)
• One class from Block B (BCGM)
• Natural Sciences
• Complete 3 classes, two of which must have a lab
  component (two LSCI, one SCI, or another LSCI))

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Math Placement Test

• The Math Placement Test is used for accurate
  placement into a math course.
• Math enrollment options exist that do not require
  the MPT. Consult your advisor for help selecting
  the appropriate class.
• Consider potential major, and comfort level with
  math when choosing QSR option.

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GUR Evaluation

• Use GUR evaluation to track GUR.
• Step-by-Step instructions are found on page 75 of
  Degree Planning Guide.

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(No Transcript)
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ACOM, BCOM, QSR
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(No Transcript)
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• FIGs designed specifically for freshmen with 45
  or fewer credits
• It is a 3course cluster of classes that includes
  two large general education classes linked by a
  small seminar.
• Ask faculty advisor or ASA for FIG offerings and
  for help with registering.

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Strategies for High Credit Freshmen 2008

• Tomorrow . . .
• Register for classes to explore possible
  major(s).
• Register for classes within intended major when
  possible (Completing your GUR courses might be
  your least important priority).
• Visit academic departments and campus resources
  before or during registration.

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Strategies for High Credit Freshmen 2008

• Between now and the start of classes . . .
• Identify your interests, values, and skills.
• Read the Catalog and develop list of majors in
• which you have an interest.
• Research academic departments

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Strategies for High Credit Freshmen 2008

• In the fall . . .
• Visit or join department clubs and organizations
• Meet with an academic advisor to discuss
  potential majors (Old Main 380, or, Old Main
  110).
• Meet with a counselor from Career Services Center
  to discuss potential areas of interest as related
  to careers (Old Main 280)
• Meet with professors during office hours to
  discuss major interests.
• Attend Internship Fair.

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Strategies for High Credit Freshmen 2008

• Fall onward . . .
• Attend Choosing a Major Fair in winter
• Attend winter and spring Career Fairs

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Your Next Step

• Attend small group advising session by interest
• Based on Summerstart reservation
• Okay to have changed interest
• Okay to be undecided
• Small group advising location on Summerstart
  schedule and on envelope label. I can help with
  directions.