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
• pportunity 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)

• r 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,

• r 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
• n 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 Unofficial 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

• n 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 not 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 Related 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 listed 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

○ Not a “traditional” math class ■ That’s okay! ■ Help sessions are scheduled regularly throughout the semester ■ Tutors are available on-site to assist ■ Course instructor is available to meet during office hours ○ In mid- August, will receive notification asking them to sign up for a Math Empo

• rientation session

■ These sessions will meet at the Empo one time only during the first week

• f classes.

■ The sign-up process will begin the week before classes begin in August. At that time, every student enrolled in a Math Empo course will receive an email with complete instructions Building a Schedule Fall 2019 schedule may be comprised of some combination of major courses, Pathways to General Education courses, and elective courses ○ Major courses - if applicable, advisor will discuss these with you at Orientation ○ Pathways to General Education - general education sequence required to graduate; not unlike the gen eds your high school required for graduation ■ Seven core concept areas that allow you to “examine the world through multiple perspectives” and “across disciplines” ■ Already discussed two of these concepts - Discourse and Quantitative and Computational Thinking (English and math) ■ The other five core concepts are: Critical Thinking in the Humanities, Reasoning in the Social Sciences, Reasoning in the Natural Sciences, Critique and Practice in Design and the Arts, and Critical Analysis of Equity and Identity in the United States

• These five concepts, along with electives, can be found on “First-

Year Course List” ■ A portion of these Pathways concepts may be completed through an approved Pathways minor that combines classes from across the university to equip you to view a problem from a variety of viewpoints

• Table advisor has list of Pathways minors available for review
• One Concept 3 - Social Sciences - course to note is UNIV 1824

○ Electives - classes that you choose to take ■ May not be required by or count for your major ■ May not necessarily count for Pathways credit ■ Can include classes for minors Appropriate Pathways courses and electives can be found on First-Year Course List

○ Not every class is good for a first-semester freshman; the courses listed are all acceptable for you to add to your schedule ○ Available both on the At Orientation site and on the Hokies On Track app ○ Based on indicated major(s) of interest, at Orientation your table advisor should have listed some appropriate classes to consider from the First Year Course List

• n your checklist (yellow paper)

Other Schedule Components

• Typical fall schedule is 12-17 credit hours

○ 12 credits is minimum for full-time student status ○ 19 credits is maximum; not recommended for first semester ○ 15 - 16 credits is ideal because ■ Can drop a class (if necessary) without jeopardizing full-time status ■ Will allow to graduate in 4 years (15 credits X 8 semesters = 120 credits) ■ Dropping below 15 may have financial aid implications

• Never drop a class without consulting with your advisor and VT’s

Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid Add/Drop Students should add courses on Hokie Spa as individual choices are made ○ Do NOT wait until they develop a complete schedule to add courses

• Drop/Add will remain open through the first week of classes

○ The schedule they leave Orientation with will be reviewed ■ Your table advisor will contact you using your VT email account if you need to make any changes from home ○ Please contact US office if you wish to make significant schedule revisions from home, if you have questions not addressed on the website, or if more information is needed