Happy Almost Halloween Everyone! I feel like I say this every post, but where has the time gone? It feels like just yesterday I began my work here in CAP and you all began your first years. But yet here we are, knocking on the door of Spring registration! I've met with many of you to discuss your classes this semester, how they're going, and what you're considering for majors (if any) and classes for next semester. Here's some information you might want to consider when you're thinking about registration:
-Spring 2016 class enrollment days for First Year students are Tuesday, November 10 and Wednesday, November 11 with enrollment times spread throughout the day. Open enrollment then opens on Thursday, November 12 at 12:01 AM. You can look at the "Enrollment Dates Section" in your MyMadison account to see your date, but you'll have to click "details" and then select "Spring Semester 2016" to see the actual time during your designated day that you'll be able to begin registering.
- If you haven't completed Cluster One: Skills for the 21st Century yet, you've got to by the end of your first year. And if you're curious about that MREST requirement you might keep hearing about, don't worry! You fulfill that in your SCOM class!
- Also, if there are majors that you're considering, my recommendation would be to look at the catalog (either your copy from orientation or online) and determine if any of the introductory courses for that major (the lower level courses) overlap with any remaining GenEds. That way you can take one class that will count for two requirements!
NOTE: Some majors are tricky in that you have to declare the major before you can begin taking any of the required major courses, so just be aware of this when you go to register. Pay special attention to courses that have pre-requisites (courses you have to take before taking another) or co-requisites (courses that must be taken at the same time).
- View the tutorial for the Schedule Planner and see if you're interested in using it. It's a great new tool on MyMadison that will do some pretty helpful things like...
- Produce all available combinations of selected classes for preview and comparison, taking into account the reserved periods of time
- Lock in favorite selections of courses when generating schedules
- Move preferred courses into the shopping cart when ready for enrollment
NOTE: Be careful with the shopping cart feature! Just because you put a course in your shopping cart doesn't reserve you a spot. Others can still register for a spot in that class and by the time you go to register, it could be full...so just be aware of the capacity and if a class in your cart is full before you try and hit that register button!
- Clear any holds you might have with the University. You can't register for the Spring until all holds have been resolved. You can do this by logging into MyMadison, going into your Student Center, and checking the "Holds" box. If there is something other than "No Holds" listed, click on "details," which will give you instructions for contacting the appropriate office to clear the hold(s).
- Submit any previously earned credit
- Identify your foreign language placement. If you're interested in continuing a language you took in high school, you can take the Foreign Language placement exam online to understand your score, click here. If you've already taken the test, you can view your scores by clicking on the drop down menu in your MyMadison Student Center and clicking "View Test Scores." Finally, if you're interested in taking a language that does not offer a placement exam, talk to the head professor in that language. To learn more you can can visit the Modern Foreign Language Department's Placement Exam website.
- I'd love to meet with you, but if you really want to chat with someone and don't have time to make an appointment, the Madison Advising Peers (MAPS) are a student group dedicated to helping other JMU students map out their time here, navigate MyMadison, declare or change a major, and tackle those GenEds. They operate from 10AM-5PM Monday-Thursday and from 10AM-3PM on Fridays. Their offices are: Roop 201, RoopG24 (Pre-Professional Health programs), Showker 205 (College of Business office), and Phys.Chem 1216 & 3348 (Chemistry office). No appointments necessary, you can just drop on in!
Now, for some of the events happening on campus during this very exciting time of year!
- Interested in living off-campus next year but have some questions? The Off-Campus Life Office, located in the Festival (Room 1130) on the first floor, will be providing free candy and housing information to those who knock on their door anytime between 1-4 PM tomorrow, Friday October 30th!
- I've posted about Study Abroad before, but if you're interested in studying at one of JMU's partner institutions abroad, you might consider applying for an exchange program. Not sure what that's all about? Learn about the different opportunities related to exchanges, application processes, and the overall benefits of studying abroad here or at any of the following information sessions:
- Tuesday, November 3 @ 4PM in Madison Union 404
- Tuesday, November 17 @ 4PM in Madison Union 404
- Tuesday, January 19 @ 4PM in Madison Union 304
- Wednesday, January 20 @ 4PM in Madison Union 304
The application deadline for the upcoming academic year (Fall 2016, Spring 2017, or AY 2016-2017) is February 1, 2016.
- Want to study abroad, but not sure how to finance it? The Office of International Programs is promoting several scholarship opportunities for JMU semester and short-term programs, with awards ranging from $1,000-$5,000. To be considered, you must have a JMU study abroad program application and scholarship application completed by November 1, 2015 (just a couple days away!) Apply now!
So whether you're dressing up or not, putting on some classic Halloween flicks and hanging out, or checking out some of the festivities downtown I hope you have a fun and safe Halloween!
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