First-Year FAQs
This Page is Dedicated to Incoming First-Year Students
Who Created my Schedule?
Your fall schedule has been prepared for you by an Orientation Scheduling team, which is comprised of members of the Office of Registration and Records and professional advisors who know the requirements of your intended major (if you have one), your placement information and high school preparation, and your First-Year Seminar choices. Most students will have 16 credits on their first semester schedule. The minimum number of credits that you need to be full-time is 12 and the maximum number of credits that you can carry is 18.
First-Year students are prohibited from carrying more than 18 credits in their first semester. Our overload policy is based on a student's grade point average, which prohibits a First-Year student from petitioning.
Why does my schedule identify a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree program?
Every incoming First-Year student is an established exploring student for their first semester. Schedules are built based on the individual student's "intended" major of interest, with consideration for second majors and minors of interest. Every first-year student will formally identify their major during our Preliminary Check-In process between the fall and spring semesters. More details on this process will be discussed with students this fall.
How are Courses Identified and Selected?
Scheduling Priorities – Order of Adding Courses to Create Your Schedule
- FIRST: Any required courses for the major that you indicated you would be pursuing. These should not be changed unless you change your intended major. To review the required courses for your intended major, refer to the Online Catalog . You are welcome to print a hard copy of the program requirements by selecting the “Print Degree Planner” link located in the upper-right corner of the program page.
- SECOND: A First-Year Seminar . The seminar is selected based on: a) how quickly you completed the online registration materials; and b) your highest ranked seminar that did not conflict with a major course (s) on your schedule. Seminars cannot be changed . Your First-Year Seminar Instructor is also your First-Year Advisor. Your instructor’s name and e-mail address are listed on the reverse side of this sheet.
-
THIRD:
Additional Core courses
were then added to create you a full schedule. The Core program is organized into eight thematic Areas of Understanding. On your schedule, you can see which courses count for core because the course titles start with an abbreviation for the area of core as follows: PLE (Power of Language – English), PLO (Power of Language – Ancient or Modern), MA (Mathematical Sciences), WCH (Western Cultural Heritage), NCH (Non-Western Cultural Heritage), HUM (Humanities), SSC (Social Sciences), NPS (Natural and Physical Sciences), and CE (Creative Expression).
Consult the online College Catalog or the Registration and Records Core and Signature Learning informational web page for more information on the Core Program . Some courses may double count for both a major/minor requirement as well as an Area of Understanding within the Core Program.
How are Math Placements Determined?
Math placements are determined based on intended major, high school math history, student performance with standardized testing (SAT, ACT), and student experience with Credit through Examination (ie. AP, CLEP, IB, etc.). If you have concerns about your math placement, please contact Sara Atwood , Dean of the School of Engineering, Math, and Computer Science.
Who Do I Contact to Discuss a Schedule Change?
During the summer months , First-Year students are encouraged to submit specific schedule-related questions using Starfish ( Starfish Instructions ) to ensure a timely response (typically within 5 business days) from a member of the Advising Team or a School Dean.
During the fall semester , you will work directly with your First-Year Seminar instructor. This individual will become your academic advisor until formal major declarations occur during the Preliminary Check-In process (Preliminary Check-In Instructions) during winter-break.
All First-Year students have a Registration Clearance Hold on their schedules . This hold ensures you consult with a member of the Advising Team, a School dean, and/or your academic advisor before attempting to make any changes to your schedule. Once the Registration Clearance is granted , you are encouraged to work with members of the Office of Registration and Records to ensure the schedule updates are completed without complications, like wait listing or time conflicts. Simply send us an email ( regandrec@etown.edu) or dial 717-361-1409 to request scheduling assistance. Students can make changes to their schedules by logging into JayWeb using your username, password, and JayWeb Instructions and in consultation with a member of the Advising Team, your School Dean, and/or your advisor.
Who Do I Contact About Pending Transfer Credit?
The College typically receives Credit through Examination (AP, CLEP, IB, etc.) scores in July. Students can review score minimums on the Registration and Records Transfer Credit website.
Transfer Credit for college courses completed while in high school requires the submission of an official transcript to the Office of Registration and Records at Elizabethtown College. The transcript MUST be official and come directly to us from the credit granting college or university. After the evaluation of the transcript, a member of the Office of Registration and Records will send you and your academic advisor a formal Notification of Transfer Credit to your etown.edu email address.
Students can review the award of transfer credits using your JayWeb account. ALWAYS discuss the effect of any/all transfer credits with your advisor to ensure that your fall schedule does not inadvertently duplicate or alter courses already on your fall schedule.
The Registration and Records Office uses students’ etown.edu e-mail accounts as their official means of communicating with students. From summer orientation until graduation, students must be engaged and manage their etown.edu e-mail accounts regularly. Registration and Records is NOT responsible for any missed communications due to improper management of your etown.edu account.
How do I take the Modern Languages Placement Examination?
The School of Arts and Humanities has a webpage dedicated to language placement examinations. You can take your placement exam only once. Your score will be added to your academic record within a week of completing the examination. If you have concerns with your language level on your schedule, please contact Dr. Kevin Shorner-Johnson, Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities.
Why don't I have classes every day?
The Orienation Team built your fall schedule in consultation with the school dean governing your intended major and the course listing. Your schedule was built based on specific course requirements in the first semester ( as per your intended major) and your First - Year Seminar.
What courses are required for my intended major?
Students should use the online Catalog to learn more about course requirements and recommendations pertaining to their program of interest.
I am an International student whom speaks multiple languages. Am I required to satisfy PLO (Power of Language) Core?
Yes. Academic Policies associated with the Core Program are outlined in the Online Catalog
An International Students may choose one of the following options:
- Take a new modern/ancient language
- Take an upper-level course that the program has designated as appropriate for native speakers
- Take a second Guided Writing and Research (GWR) designated course
- Submit an official copy or your English as a Seond Language Proficiency Scores to the Office of Registration and Records. An official score sheet must come directly from the testing organization. Photocopies are not original documents.
Please visit our English Proficiency and Challenge by Examination webpages for more information on score minimums for earning academic credit.