US/XT Day 2 Advising Outline - For Incoming Students and Families Who - PDF document

US/XT Day 2 Advising Outline - For Incoming Students and Families Who are we? University Studies Department contains two majors: University Studies (US) and Explore Technology (XT) ● It’s perfectly fine to be exploratory or undecided ! ● Students cannot graduate from US or XT ● Working with exploratory students is a primary focus of advising in US/XT ● Many more students (across campus) are really exploratory than just those entering as US/XT in the fall. ● College is about exploring their interests and trying new things. ● As a student at Virginia Tech, and in University Studies/XT you will have the opportunity to intentionally explore your options and learn from your experiences. Our philosophy as advisors is to be your partner in academic as well as personal growth. ● Until students transfer, US Department will function as their college ○ Dr. Kimberly Smith - Dean ○ Dr. Zack Underwood - Director of University Studies ● Students may remain in University Studies or XT until they have earned 60 credits toward graduation (equivalent DE, transfer, IB, and AP credits are included in this total) or until they have attempted 72 hours ○ When they are eligible to transfer depends on the major and their requirements to transfer ○ They will transfer to one of the seven colleges at VT: Pamplin College of Business, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, College of Natural Resources & Environment, College of Architecture and Urban Studies, College of Science, or College of Liberal Arts & Human Sciences ○ When they transfer, they will get a new advisor and a new dean. Info on AP/IB scores, Pathways to General Education, math, and all of today’s handouts can be found on the “ At Orientation ” page at universitystudies.vt.edu -- “Menu” -- “New Student Orientation” -- “At Orientation” ● All of today’s handouts and “At Orientation” website links are also available on the “Hokies On Track” App FERPA (Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act) ● FERPA is a federal law that gives students control over who--outside of VT--has access to their educational records ● FERPA is the yellow box on Registration Status page

○ Students can make changes anytime they choose (link can be found on ‘After Orientation” page) ○ We cannot discuss academic records with anyone unless they have a passcode that’s listed on Hokie Spa Restricted vs. Unrestricted Majors ■ Restricted majors ● Need to meet requirements before you can apply to a restricted major ● Most often, grades matter ● Restricted majors: All engineering majors, all business majors (except Real Estate), HNFE, Music, Architecture, Art, Industrial Design, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, ■ Unrestricted majors have no such restrictions ● Any major not listed above Foreign Language VT’s entrance requirement: two years of a single foreign language ● Majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Studies and the College of Science requires 3-years of previous foreign language study ● Official notice that a student has fulfilled VT’s foreign language requirement will not appear on Hokie Spa until at least mid-fall semester Special Activities ● Some activities require enrollment in specific courses (e.g. Highty Tighties, Marching Virginians, and some Living-Learning Programs) Transfer Credits After logging on to hokiespa.vt.edu, select the maroon Hokie Spa tab at the top of the page. From there scroll down midway to “Transcripts and Certifications Menu,” then “View Uno fficial Transcript,” and “Submit” ● Current Fall 2019 schedule is located at the bottom of the page ● Review unofficial transcript to verify that it matches transfer credits already listed on your info form 1. If everything you’re expecting is already printed on your info form, write “None” under the “Expecting” 2. If you see AP, IB, or DE credit on your unofficial transcript on Hokie Spa, but it is not printed on your info form, please write it in under “Expecting.” 3. If you are expecting AP, IB, or DE credit that is not on your unofficial transcript

on Hokie Spa, nor is it already printed on your info form, please write it in under “Expecting.” Just because you have credit for a class doesn’t mean that it might n ot be a good idea for you to retake that class now that you’re here at VT. You and your advisor can discuss whether you should do this based on the majors you’re interested in exploring. If your expected credits are not showing on your unofficial transcripts: ● If AP - scores must be sent from College Board ● If Dual Enrollment or IB - transcripts must be sent from the community college. Even though they may appear on your high school transcripts, we cannot grant college credit from your high school transcripts. They have to be from a college transcript. Review English Placement All VT students are required to complete two semesters of Foundational Discourse, frequently completed with English Composition. ● May not have to take both semesters of English Composition at VT ○ English Department evaluates all incoming freshmen to determine most appropriate starting point ■ Usual placement is ENGL 1105 (English Composition I) in fall; 1106 (English Composition II) in spring ■ If info form lists English placement as ENGL 1106 or 1204H, you have been given advanced standing ● Take class listed and earn a C- or better, you will be awarded credit for ENGL 1105 thus satisfying the Foundational Discourse requirement ● Perfectly fine to wait until spring to take 1106 if all seats are taken during fall ○ May already have transfer credit for one or both ENGL composition courses Review Math ● All VT students must take two semesters of foundational courses in Quantitative or Computational Thinking concept (math) ● It’s important to take a math class that is not only appropriate for the major(s) considered, but also, one for which the student has adequate math preparation ● Students will notice Math 1225 Readiness (for students who need to take an engineering- level calculus class) and Advanced Standing for Pre-Calc (similar to the advanced standing we just discussed for English) ○ Advanced Standing for MATH 1014 only applies to students needing to take MATH 1025

■ If you need MATH 1025 and you have a Y beside “MATH 1014 Exempt,” then the Math Department has granted you Advanced Standing. You can take MATH 1025 and if you earn a C- or better in it, you’ll also earn credit for Pre-Calc -- MATH 1014 ■ If you need MATH 1025 and you have an N beside “MATH 1014 Exempt,” then the Math Department has not granted you Advanced Standing. You should take MATH 1014 before proceeding on to 1025. Typical Math Courses 1. Math 1014 Most flexible option as most majors in COS, LAHS, CNRE and for students who don’t qualify for 1225 need it 2. Math 1025 Most science-related majors and for students who qualify for Advanced Standing for Math 1014 3. Math 1524 A one-semester math course required for all students interested in a business major; unavailable to US/XT students in Fall 2019 4. Math 1535 Most appropriate for Design R elated Majors; might wish to wait until you’re in Architecture/Design as this is not a highly generalizable option 5. Math 1225 most appropriate for QUANTITATIVE MAJORS. To Qualify = Ready or Not Ready ○ If R= “ READY” and student wants one of the majors liste d on the sheet AND does not anticipate Calculus credit = 1225 ○ If NR =“NOT READY” or NOT EVALUATED =should request Math 1014 for NOW and refer to the Calculus Readiness Test ○ Two opportunities to take Readiness Test ■ Today, 1 - 5 p.m. in the Math Emporium (July 8th only: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.; testing must start before 11:30 a.m.) ■ Test must be started no later than 4 p.m. ■ August 26th & 27th between 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. at the Math Empo ■ Test must be finished no later than 11:30 p.m. ■ Requires passing score of 80% (20/25) ■ MUST have Hokie Passport photo ID to take the Math 1225 Readiness Test. May wish to retake a math class for which you have credit from high school (especially for prospective engineering majors) so you can build a stronger foundation before moving into more advanced math coursework Math Empo Classes Some students may be enrolled in a Math Emporium class (Math 1014, 1025, 1524 and 1535) ○ Computer lab available during fall and spring semesters for math study