Www.umbc.edu/orientation ENROLLMENT 101/301 Preparing to Enroll: Tips for New Students The Office for Academic and Pre-Professional Advising Summer 2015

www.umbc.edu/orientation

ENROLLMENT 101/301Preparing to Enroll: Tips for New Students

The Office for Academic and Pre-Professional Advising

Summer 2015


Welcome Freshmen!

• Academic advisors will help you meet your goals at UMBC

• We have provided you with “Navigating the First Year” as a ready reference (NFY)

• Right now we will help you prepare for advising and registration later today

2


Topics

• Academic Advising at UMBC• Components of Your Degree• Schedule Building• Academic Resources

Look for OPA tips with this life preserver symbol!

3


Academic Advising is…

A partnership between student and advisor to discuss:• Major and career choices • Adjustment to college• Course selection/path to degree • Academic “extras” such as research,

study abroad, and internships

Students meet with an advisor at least once each semester.

4


Student Role

To get the most from advising:

• Make and keep appointments• Come to advising sessions prepared• Accept responsibility for decisions and follow

through on actions

5


Components of UMBC Degree

6

See NFY pp. 5-6!


Major

• Your chosen field • Depth in one area• Requires from 30-80+ credits

7

Pre-professional study (pre-med, pre-law) is NOT an academic

major

• Declare major by 45 credits, sooner if ready• Interdisciplinary Studies = design your major• UMBC offers 45 majors!

LIST: NFY p. 24!


General Education

• Core of a liberal arts education• Breadth across fields• Many perspectives, potential

careers

8

• College-level skills in writing and mathematics• Well-educated citizens with exposure to other cultures Use general ed classes to explore majors!


New Student Courses

First Year Seminars• Small class, interactive, “special

topics,” interdisciplinary focus• 3 credits, meets a general

education requirement

9

Intro to an Honors University• Once a week seminar, 1 credit• Linked to an academic course


General Education Program

• 3 Arts & Humanities (AH) courses• 3 Social Sciences (SS) courses • 1 Mathematics (M) course

10

• 2 Science (S) courses, one with lab• Foreign language proficiency (L) at the 201

(intermediate) level • 1-2 Global Cultures (C) courses• 1 Writing Intensive (WI) course

• English Composition (ENGL 100) or equivalent

NFY pp. 11


Foreign Language in GEP

To graduate, all students need“proficiency at the 201 level” in a language other than English.

There are FOUR ways to meet this requirement:1. Completed Level 4 of a language in High School2. Achieved 4 or 5 score on foreign language AP test3. Complete 201 level course at UMBC or elsewhere (third semester of study at the college level)4. Obtain waiver based on other evidence of skill

(generally for international students)

11


Foreign Language in GEP• May continue a language or start a new language• UMBC offers Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek,

Hebrew, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Russian, Spanish, and Wolof

• Language course numbering:101 = Elementary I102 = Elementary II201 = Intermediate I

• Which level course to take depends on how much study in HS, how recently Optional 103 course in French, Span reviews 101,102

12


University Requirements

• Physical Education-2 courses

• At least 120 academic credits

• At least 30 credits at UMBC

• At least 45 upper level (300/400) credits

• Cumulative GPA of at least 2.0

13


Extra Coursework

• Electives--exploring interests• Optional 2nd major• Pre-professional courses • Minor = scaled down major • Certificate = courses in a skill area

14

How many extras can fit into your college career depends on your major


Your Academic Info Online

Find academic info about you 24/7 through

15

• Placement test results for Math, English • Transfer credit report• Degree audit• Unofficial transcript • Your class schedule


Degree Planning Tools

16

“What if” Degree Audit• Applies your completed and planned courses to a new major or minor• Helps you decide on a major or a change to your major/minorAcademic “Pathways”– Brand new!• Available for each UMBC major• Illustrates typical courses semester by semester that

would allow completion of degree in 4 years• Here’s the link:

https://apps.my.umbc.edu/pathways/


Placement

17

Placement = what your first course should be at UMBC

Placement depends on:• College coursework completed elsewhere• Advanced Placement, IB, CLEP Scores• UMBC Placement test results

Take all needed placement tests right away!


Mathematics PlacementMost new students place into one of these courses:

• LRC 099- Introductory Algebra (developmental)• MATH 106- Algebra & Elementary Functions*_____________________________________________________________

• MATH 100- Intro to Contemporary Math • STAT 121- Intro Stat for Social Science • MATH 150- Precalculus (Caution!) • MATH 155 – Applied Calculus ______________________________________________________________

• MATH 151- Calculus & Analytic Geometry I

*most common Math placement is MATH 10618


Workload

• Plan on studying 2-3 hours (or more) for each hour in class• Full-time is 12 or more credits• 12-13 credits often wise for new freshmen• 15 credits per semester (on avg.) results in

graduation in 4 years (8 semesters x 15 credits = 120 credits)

19


Academic Resources

• Learning Resources Center (tutoring)• Retriever Learning Center in the library:

24/7 study space, plus Writing Center & Math lab• Professor office hours• Study groups• Student Support Services

All resources available without fees

20

NFY: p. 3-4


Make the Most of Orientation Advising

• Bring ideas!

• Be flexible!

• Ask questions!

21

• Volunteer information, such as AP tests taken, college courses while in high school, constraints on your schedule

Own your schedule! If you do not like the direction your class schedule is taking, speak up!


For Help After Orientation…

22

Office for Academic & Pre-Professional AdvisingAcademic Services Building, Room 103

Walk In Advising: Monday-Friday 10am-2pmCall or Email for Appointments410-455-2729 [email protected]

ADVISING WEBSITE!! www.umbc.edu/advising

Look for e-mails from UMBC Extra Credit to help you stay on course toward graduation and beyond!


Welcome Transfer Students!

• Academic advisors will help you meet your goals at UMBC

• We have provided you with “Navigating the First Year” as a ready reference (NFY)

• Right now we will help you prepare for advising and registration later today

23


Topics

• Academic Advising at UMBC• Components of Your Degree• Schedule Building• Academic Resources

Look for OPA tips with this life preserver symbol!

24


Academic Advising is…

A partnership between student and advisor to discuss:• Major and career choices • Adjustment to UMBC• Course selection/path to degree • Academic “extras” such as research,

study abroad, and internships

Students meet with an advisor at least once each semester.

25


Student Role

To get the most from advising:

• Make and keep appointments• Come to advising sessions prepared• Accept responsibility for decisions and follow

through on actions

26


Components of UMBC Degree

27

See NFY page 5-6!


Major

• Your chosen field • Depth in one area• Requires from 30-80+ credits

28

Pre-professional study (pre-med, pre-law) is NOT an academic

major

• Declare major by 45 credits, sooner if ready• Interdisciplinary Studies = design your major• UMBC offers 45 majors!

LIST: NFY page 24!


General Education

• Core of a liberal arts education• Breadth across fields• Many perspectives, potential

careers

29

• College-level skills in writing and mathematics• Well-educated citizens with exposure to other cultures Use general ed classes to explore majors!


General Education Program

• 3 Arts & Humanities (AH) courses• 3 Social Sciences (SS) courses • 1 Mathematics (M) course

30

• 2 Science (S) courses, one with lab• Foreign language proficiency (L) at the 201

(intermediate) level • 1-2 Global Cultures (C) courses• 1 Writing Intensive (WI) course

• English Composition (ENGL 100) or equivalent

NFY p. 11


Foreign Language in GEP

To graduate, all students need“proficiency at the 201 level” in a language other than English.

There are FOUR ways to meet this requirement:1. Completed Level 4 of a language in High School2. Achieved 4 or 5 score on foreign language AP test3. Complete 201 level course at UMBC or elsewhere (third semester of study at the college level)4. Obtain waiver based on other evidence of skill

(generally for international students)

31


Foreign Language in GEP• May continue a language or start a new language• UMBC offers Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek,

Hebrew, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Russian, Spanish, and Wolof

• Language course numbering:101 = Elementary I102 = Elementary II201 = Intermediate I

• Which level course to take depends on how much study in HS, how recently Optional 103 course in French, Span reviews 101,102

32


University Requirements

• Physical Education-2 courses

• At least 120 academic credits

• At least 30 credits taken at UMBC, at least 15 of those in upper level 300/400 courses

• At least 45 upper level (300/400) credits

• Cumulative GPA of at least 2.033


Extra Coursework

• Electives--exploring interests• Optional 2nd major• Pre-professional courses • Minor = scaled down major • Certificate = courses in a skill area

34

How many extras can fit into your college career depends on your major


Your Academic Info Online

Find academic info about you 24/7 through

35

• Transfer credit report• Degree audit• Unofficial transcript • Your class schedule• Placement test results for Math, English if needed


Degree Planning Tools

36

“What if” Degree Audit• Applies your completed and planned courses to a new major or minor• Helps you decide on a major or a change to your major/minorAcademic “Pathways”– Brand new!• Available for each UMBC major• Illustrates typical courses semester by semester that

would allow completion of degree in 4 years• Here’s the link:

https://apps.my.umbc.edu/pathways/


Placement

37

Placement = what your first course should be at UMBC

Placement depends on:• College coursework completed elsewhere• Advanced Placement, IB, CLEP Scores• UMBC Placement test results

Take all needed placement tests right away!


Mathematics PlacementMost new students place into one of these courses:

• LRC 099- Introductory Algebra (developmental)• MATH 106- Algebra & Elementary Functions*_____________________________________________________________

• MATH 100- Intro to Contemporary Math • STAT 121- Intro Stat for Social Science • MATH 150- Precalculus (Caution!) • MATH 155 – Applied Calculus ______________________________________________________________

• MATH 151- Calculus & Analytic Geometry I*most common Math placement is MATH 106

38


Schedule Building Tips

• Avoid registering for a course already completed elsewhere

39

• Recognize that final transfer evaluation may take additional time and info from you

• Do not panic if a course appears full


Workload

• Plan on studying 2-3 hours for each hour in class (or more!)

• Full-time is 12 or more credits

• 12-13 credits max wise for new transfer students

• Adjust credits down if working more than 10 hrs/week!

Most common transfer student error: underestimating the demands of UMBC courses

40


Academic Resources

•Retriever Learning Center in the library: 24/7 study space, plus Writing Center & Math lab• Learning Resources Center (tutoring)• Professor office hours• Study groups• Student Support Services

All resources available without fees

41

NFY: p. 3-4


New Student Courses

Transfer students welcome!!!!Intro to an Honors University (IHU)• 1 credit class to assist new UMBC students• Look for a “Y” in the course number (e.g., ENGL 100Y)First Year Seminars (FYS)• 3 credits, small class, interactive, meets a general

education requirement, unusual topicsTransfer Student Seminars (TRS)• 1-2 credit class to ease transfer transition• Fall 2015 TRS offered in Information Systems, Chemical Engineering, History, American Studies, Biology 42


“Reverse Awarding” of A.A. Degree

If you are a transfer student from a Maryland Community College who did not complete an A.A. degree, we can help you transfer UMBC courses back to your former school to qualify for the A.A. degree.

If you are interested, complete the interest card when you meet with your advisor today.

Website: REVERSEAWARD.UMBC.EDU

43


Make the Most of Orientation Advising

• Bring ideas!

• Be flexible!

• Ask questions!

44

• Volunteer information, such as AP tests taken, college courses while in high school, constraints on your schedule

Own your schedule! If you do not like the direction your class schedule is taking, speak up!


For Help After Orientation…

45

Office for Academic & Pre-Professional AdvisingAcademic Services Building, Room 103

Walk In Advising: Monday-Friday 10am-2pmCall or Email for Appointments410-455-2729 [email protected]

NEW ADVISING WEBSITE!! www.umbc.edu/advising

Look for e-mails from UMBC Extra Credit to help you stay on course toward graduation and beyond!

Documents

Www.umbc.edu/orientation ENROLLMENT 101/301 Preparing to Enroll: Tips for New Students The Office for Academic and Pre-Professional Advising Summer 2015