Step 1) Fill out the New Student Questionnaire

Step 2) Understand the term "liberal arts" and the umw degree requirements

Step 3) Understand AP, IB, Dual Enrollment, and Cambridge Credit

Step 4) Understand Prerequisites & Vertically Building Coursework

Step 5) Consider Pre-Professional Interests

Step 6) Tips and other considerations when planning a schedule

Step 7) First-Year Seminar

Step 8) Choose Possible Courses

Step 9) Fill Out the Course Registration Request Form

Step 10) How to Register

Freshman Academic Planning Guide
FALL 2008

Step 8) Choose Possible Courses

To the right you will find links which will show you example first semester schedules for certain majors. Please carefully read the information provided below before following these links.

Your first semester schedule should consist of four or five classes for a total of 12 - 16 credits. Students may take no more than 18 credits without special permission for an “overload” from the Office of Academic Services. A full-time student has a schedule of 12 credits or more. Course descriptions can be found in the current University Catalog.

A good first semester schedule could look like any of these:

A first-year seminar A natural science course An introductory language course An introductory course in your prospective major An elective course	or	A natural science course An introductory course in your prospective major A Speaking Intensive course (Across-the-Curriculum) An elective course
An introductory language course An arts, literature, or performance course An introductory course in your prospective major An elective course	or	A first-year seminar An arts, literature, or performance course An introductory language course An elective course Another elective course
A first-year seminar A natural science course A global inquiry course An introductory course in your prospective major An elective course	or	A first-year seminar A natural science course A Speaking Intensive course (Across-the-Curriculum) A quantitative reasoning course

As you can see, there are many ways to schedule courses and meet your graduation requirements. As previously stated, there is no one set path to graduation. Certain requirements must be met by all students, but it is not a rigid process meant to hinder you. It is a process meant to give you every opportunity to explore different disciplines and help you satisfy the breadth and depth of an education that meets the standards of a University of Mary Washington graduate.

Some of these courses may overlap requirements. Some courses may meet both a General Education and a Major Requirement. Some may meet a General Education and an Across-the-Curriculum requirement. Some may meet a Major and an Across-the-Curriculum requirement. 

You should fill out a Course Registration Request Form for your own records to assist you in registering online from home in Banner, the University’s web-based computer system, during June 12 - 18. You will be assigned a specific day to register, which will be announced to you in the Eaglelink Portal. If you have questions or concerns, please make use of the advising opportunities offered by the Office of Academic Services.

Special efforts are made to meet the needs of entering students. Many departments reserve seats specifically for new students. If one or more of your preferred courses is filled to capacity during your registration session, you will be able to consult with your Academic Advisor. Although you are not permitted to declare a major until you have completed 28 graded credits, you should try to enroll in introductory courses within your prospective major, particularly in disciplines (such as Biology) that require a specific introductory course during the first semester. If you do not wish to remain in a particular course, your course schedule may be altered during the Add/Drop period at the beginning of the semester. New courses may be added until the last day of the first week of classes. New students will be informed about and guided through the Add/Drop process by their Freshman Academic Advisor. As a result, most students’ first semester course schedules are both appropriate and satisfactory.

Freshman must register for a freshman seminar course in either their first or second semester. If you have an area of academic interest, you should request courses recommended for that particular Major. You should then select other courses to begin fulfilling the General Education, Across-the-Curriculum and Elective requirements.