I have questions about ...
REGISTRATION DATE AND TIME
When may I register for courses and how do I do this?
Registration start times are staggered alphabetically based on students' last names, with time slots rotating each semester. For example, freshmen who register last for their upcoming fall courses will register first for their spring semester courses. Times will continue to rotate each semester until students graduate. On your scheduled orientation date, you will receive thorough instructions about how to register (including a copy of the handout that follows below) and a list of recommended courses.
Instructional Handout: WebAdvisor for Registration ►
I will be on vacation and won't have access to the Internet at my designated registration time. What can I do about this?
You may register at any point after your designated start time and throughout the summer. However, we recognize you'll likely want to register as soon as possible to get a desirable schedule. If you won't have Internet access when your registration opens, you can seek out a public computer, instruct a trusted friend or family member to register on your behalf, or simply wait to register at a later time.
CLOSED COURSES
I began looking at my required courses a few days prior to my scheduled registration date to prepare in advance and I noticed that all of the courses that I need already appear to be closed. Will I be able to register?
No worries. Many of our courses that appear to be closed in the days leading up to your registration date are NOT actually full. We block off certain course sections for freshmen so that upperclass students cannot fill all of the spaces that you will need. So, usually on the Thursday or Friday prior to your registration date, most of the closed course sections will begin to be opened up for freshmen registration.
I tried to register for the courses listed on my course selection guide. However, there was a scheduling conflict and/or a course(s) were already closed. What should I do?
Don't panic, we can help. First, you should attempt to look for alternative sections of one or more courses to eliminate conflicts. If all required courses are closed, or if there are course conflicts that cannot be resolved, then you should contact either the individual listed on the back of your course selection guide or the director of advising and retention for additional help. Be assured that we'll help you obtain a full schedule of courses that is appropriate your major prior to your first day of classes. For more detailed information about closed science courses, please see “Science Courses” below.
When I attempted to register for a course, I was informed that it was closed and given the option to waitlist. What does this mean?
Some closed courses allow you to add your name to a waitlist. It is important to note that relatively few students gain access to courses through waitlisting and so it is recommended that you follow the directions given in the closed courses question/answer directly above. If and when a space becomes available in a waitlisted course, an e-mail will go to your DSU e-mail account. You will have 24 hours from the time this e-mail was sent to register for the open seat. If you do not register for the course within the 24 hour period, you will be removed from the waitlist and the next person on the waitlist will be offered the open seat. However, you cannot place yourself on the waitlist for an additional section of a course for which you have already registered. Similarly, you cannot add yourself to the waitlist for multiple sections of the same course. If you need to make changes to your waitlists, you can do so through Waitlist Management in WebAdvisor.
AP CREDITS AND COLLEGE CREDITS
Should I schedule a course for which I expect to receive college credit (or "dual enrollment credit") from another college?
Until a transcript of your college courses has been processed, we cannot assume that you have had this college course. It will be important for you to register for the courses recommended on your Course Selection Guide. Then, once the transcript has been processed (usually by late July) you will be notified via your DeSales e-mail. At that time, you will have the opportunity to adjust your schedule after consulting with the advisor whose name will appear on the Course Selection Guide.
I expect to receive AP credit. When will I know whether or not I have received DSU credit?
For the time being, you should register for the courses recommended on your Course Selection Guide. AP credits will be announced via DeSales e-mail once AP notifications have been received and evaluated. You can expect to receive notice in approximately late July. At that time, you will have the opportunity to adjust your schedule after consulting with the advisor whose name will appear on the Course Selection Guide. Suggested changes may also be provided in the e-mail.
Have you received a transcript for the college course(s) that I have already completed?
Please ask Ms. Cathy Reardon at 610-282-1100, ext. 1424 or catherine.reardon@desales.edu.
Foreign Languages AND World Cultures
What is the difference between a Foreign Language course and a World Cultures course? Can I take either one to fulfill the foreign language / world cultures requirement for graduation?
The foreign language / world cultures requirement is an important part of your liberal arts education, preparing you for life after graduation in the modern world. You must complete either two semesters of the same Foreign Language OR any two courses listed as world cultures. The vast majority of world cultures courses have a language component, but also incorporate various aspects of a particular culture such as customs, history, politics, cuisine, etc.
I believe that my language placement was incorrect. What can I do?
See your instructor the first day of class to discuss your placement. If the instructor approves, schedule changes can occasionally be made, as long as they are completed prior to the drop/add deadline. If you are not satisfied with the resolution offered by the instructor, you may speak to the division head for Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Dr. Brian Kane.
I speak a Foreign Language and I would like to challenge the Foreign Language requirement by examination. What do I need to do?
Students wishing to challenge a Foreign Language should, in the fall, contact Dr. Angelica Silva, department chair for Foreign Languages and World Cultures .
SCIENCE COURSES
I noticed that the labs for biology and chemistry courses are separate from the lectures. Why is this and how can I make sure that I am registered properly for all of the science courses that I need?
If you are attempting to register for any science course listed as biology or chemistry, it is critical that you register for both the lecture and the laboratory simultaneously. For example, to find and register for a Biology 151 lecture in WebAdvisor, select Biology as the subject and enter 151 as the course number. To find and register for the corresponding Biology 151 laboratory in WebAdvisor, select Biology as the subject and enter 151L as the course number. Students who attempt to register for only one of these at a time will receive an error message.
What should I do if the Biology or Chemistry course that I want/need is closed?
It is difficult for us to predict how many freshmen will need Biology and Chemistry courses. As a result, it is not uncommon for these courses to be among the first to fill. If you have any difficulty at all registering for a biology or chemistry course that is needed for your intended major, regardless of which major that is, e-mail rodger.berg@desales.edu and state what your specific needs are.
ENGLISH COURSE LEVELS
Some students will be asked to register for EN 100, instead of EN 103. Why is this and will this course count toward graduation?
Some students will be placed in EN 100 based upon their Writing SAT scores and high school quintiles. This will be done if the scores indicate that a student would benefit from a developmental writing course prior to taking EN 103. Students in EN 100 will receive three elective credits. If, on the basis of a writing sample done during the first week of class, it is determined that a student should go directly into EN 103, the schedule will be adjusted at that time.
Some students will be asked to register for EN 104, instead of EN 103 even if they do not have either AP credit or college credits for EN 103. Why?
Based upon their Writing SAT scores, we believe that some students may be able to skip EN 103 and move right into EN 104. In this case, they do not receive credit for EN 103 (as in the case of AP or college credit), but "skip" the EN 103 requirement, thus allowing them an additional free elective in its place. If a student prefers to be in EN 103, he or she may register for EN 103 instead.
I believe that my English placement is incorrect. What can I do?
See your instructor on the first day of class to discuss your placement. If the instructor approves, schedule changes can be made, as long as they are completed prior to the drop/add deadline.
READING AND STUDY SKILLS (ED 101)
Some students will be asked to register for a course called Reading and Study Skills (ED 101). Why?
This course provides for the development of critical thinking skills and study skills, as well as strengthening reading comprehension. It is a three-credit elective course. Based upon a student's SAT scores and predicted GPA at DSU, we believe that this course will help the student to be most successful at DeSales. Students asked to register for this course will be tested during the first week of classes to determine if this course is or is not appropriate. If it is not, an adjustment will be made in their schedule at that time. Students should take ED 101 along with either EN 100 or EN 103, as directed on the Course Selection Guide.
CALCULUS COURSES
My course selection guide indicates that I should take either MA 112: Pre-Calculus or MA 121: Calculus I. Which one should I take?
If you have not already taken either Pre-Calculus or Calculus in high school, we recommend that you register for MA 112 for the fall and then take MA 121 in the spring.
REGISTRATION AND ADVISING
I registered for 7 courses. Am I taking too many? (or… I have 18 credits. Is that too many?)
Some students are declared in majors that require them to take one-credit courses. These courses, as well as one-credit Physical Education courses, are not weighted as heavily. Therefore, it is not uncommon for students to take five three-credit courses and as many as two one-credit courses. Science majors may also have labs, resulting in more total credits each semester than their peers in other majors.
I have courses back-to-back and there is only one minute in between them. Will I have enough time to get from one course to the next?
Yes. Although it appears as though you only have a short time in between back-to-back courses, in reality, you will have approximately 10 minutes in between back-to-back courses on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; and approximately 15 minutes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
How will I know which building and/or room my classes are in?
Approximately one to two weeks before the first day of class, log into WebAdvisor and go to "Students." Then, under the "Academic Profile" heading, click on "My Class Schedule" and select the appropriate term to see the building and room assigned to your class.
How will I know which courses I need to take each semester in order to graduate?
Please familiarize yourself with the General University Requirements handout, which was included in the welcome packet mailed to your home address. In addition, graduation requirement forms for each major and each track may be downloaded at www.desales.edu/gradforms. The second page of each form provides a recommended outline of courses to be taken in all semesters. However, with assistance from your advisor, you may be able to take some courses in a different order. You must meet with your advisor at least once per semester during Consultation with Advisors Week, prior to registering for the next semester's courses. Before attending this meeting, you should review the Graduation Requirement Form for your major and develop a list of courses that you wish to take, as well as any related questions that you wish to ask. Your advisor will review the courses with you and help you to make appropriate decisions. However, the ultimate responsibility for fulfilling all course requirements belongs to you.
What if I have questions about policies and procedures?
Please refer to the Undergraduate Catalog all academic policies and procedures. While the ultimate responsibility for fulfilling all course requirements belongs to you, be sure to always consult with your advisor for guidance in academic matters.
ROTC
Do you have ROTC? / How do I sign-up for ROTC?
DeSales University offers the voluntary Army Military Science Program (AROTC) in co-operation with Lehigh University. For more information, including how to register, please call 610-758-3275.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION COURSES
Do I have to take a physical education course in my first semester?
All students are required to complete PE 100, as well as two additional PE activities. They may be taken at any time, although it is recommended that students complete them prior to their senior year. Please note that these courses are one-credit each. Although they are required for graduation, they do not count toward the 40 courses needed to graduate.
I am student athlete. Do I need to take PE activities?
Student athletes must register their varsity sport in two different semesters to count toward the two PE required activities - see Undergraduate Catalog for specific course numbers. For example, a fall athlete may register for the sport in the fall of their freshmen year as one PE activity and again in the fall of their sophomore year as a second PE activity. It is generally not recommended for students to take PE 100 in the same semester as their varsity sport/activity.
I have a condition or injury that will prevent me from completing PE courses. What should I do?
If you will be unable to participate in PE activities for the duration of your time at DeSales University, you will need to have your doctor write a letter to Tammy Lippincott, Director of our Health Center. The letter should state clearly why you are not able to participate in P.E. activities. You should not have difficulty completing PE 100, however.
TEXTBOOKS
I have made a change to my fall schedule. How do I alter the book order that I have already placed or can I exchange books later?
For all questions regarding books, please contact the DeSales Campus Store at 610-282-1100, ext. 1325.
MAJORS AND DUAL MAJORS
I am not sure what I want to major in or what I want to do for a career. Where can I get advice?
Choosing a major and/or career path is a process that requires you to reflect on your values, preferences, interests, and skills. The Career Services Office has a number of tools to help you with this process. Since it can take time to make your decision, it is important to visit with the director of career services and internships during your first year. You may schedule an appointment by sending an e-mail to careerservices@desales.edu.
If I decide to change my major after being accepted, what do I need to do?
You should contact the Admissions Office to determine whether or not you meet the admission requirements of that major. If you do, you will receive a confirmation of the change. A revised Course Selection Guide will be sent to you by email, so that you may adjust your fall semester courses.
I am listed as Undeclared, but I was sure that I had declared a major. What shall I do?
All questions regarding majors should be directed to the Admissions Office.
I plan to dual major, but I am only listed as majoring in one area. Why is this?
Only one major is the official major; the second is noted on your transcript. You will need to complete a "Request for a Dual Major" form once you are on campus. The permission of the undergraduate dean and the division chairperson is needed for a dual major. The University cannot guarantee that you will be able to complete the required courses for a dual major within the usual eight semesters before graduation. Speak to the advisor with whom you will be meeting at orientation. In some few cases, it will be important to include a basic course for that major in your fall schedule.
INTERNSHIPS
Can freshmen get academic credit for internships?
All students are strongly encouraged to obtain practical experience through internships, whether these experiences are for credit or not. However, for-credit internships are particularly advantageous since they may count as a free elective, or in some cases, may fulfill a major requirement. In order to complete an internship for credit, you must be a junior or senior with a 2.5 GPA or above and you must obtain the approval of your assigned faculty supervisor and the Career Services Office. Pick-up a copy of the Internship Guidebook from the Career Services Office in Dooling Hall for additional information and required forms.
Learn more about WebAdvisor ►
MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT FALL REGISTRATION?
Dr. Scott Mattingly, Director of Advising and Retention
Phone: 610-282-1100, x. 1408
Email: advising@desales.edu |
