1. Nuts and Bolts WCU and Your Major

2. Why this presentation The department, the university, and myself want you to succeed. Navigating a 4-year degree can be confusing. Know the facts and ask if you don’t…don’t’ forget to have fun along the way

3. Support Services Career development center – resumes, internships, academic goals… Career development center Counseling center – individual, group, career, aptitude/interest career testing, drugs/alcohol Counseling center ◦Strong individuals know it’s OK to seek help ◦Staffed by several psychologists

4. Support Services Learning assistance & resource center – Learning assistance & resource center ◦Tutoring, it’s FREE! - first come 1 st serve ◦Academic success workshops ◦PAPA test prep!!! Writing center ◦Face to face writing assistance ◦Handouts ◦Instant messaging writing assistance

5. Financial Aid Finding $$ for college can be tough but remember you are FULL-TIME students. That basically means it should consume about 40 hours per week. ◦Carnegie system – what is it? Beware working too much as this can adversely affect your success…not an option for some

6. Financial Aid Types of funding ◦Aid programs  Federal work study (dining hall…)  Perkins loan ($27.5K max)  Stafford loan (~$18K-$33K max)  PLUS loans (for parents)  Pell grant ◦Scholarships  See the undergraduate catalog (http://www.wcupa.edu/_information/official.document s/undergrad.catalog/finanaid.htm) and click financial aidhttp://www.wcupa.edu/_information/official.document s/undergrad.catalog/finanaid.htm  There are 172 (don’t quote me) scholarships listed in the catalog.

7. Activities Clubs and organizations ◦http://www.wcupa.edu/_information/official.documents/ undergrad.catalog/stuaffair.htm#organizationshttp://www.wcupa.edu/_information/official.documents/ undergrad.catalog/stuaffair.htm#organizations  Look under “student organizations” Honors college ◦Challenging honors curriculum, service ◦Overall 3.25 ◦Looks awfully good on a transcript Office of recreation and leisure ◦Intramurals, club sports, group exercise

8. To Do’s From the home- page, click the “view all events” linkview all events

9. Degree Requirements Misc. ◦“Q” courses (english or math) counts towards GPA but not credit requirements ◦Full time is 12-18 credits  If able, get your $’s worth (near 18 credits)  You can take over 18 credits at a cost ◦Student standing is determined by credits, not how many years here  i.e. – Freshman 0-29.5 credits (increments of 30)

10. Registrar Adding a class – 7 days Dropping a class – 6 days Withdrawing from a class – 7 th day to 9 weeks ◦“W” recorded on transcript Repeating a class 100+ level ◦Can do 5x’s, no more than twice per course ◦Most recent grade is kept regardless of score

11. GPA Calculating GPA ◦Use online GPA calculators:  Target GPA: http://www.departments.bucknell.edu/premed/ht ml/gpa.htm http://www.departments.bucknell.edu/premed/ht ml/gpa.htm Dean’s list = GPA 3.67 or higher Probation = GPA < 2.0 ◦Student must see advisor for creation of an academic recovery plan

12. Your Home College of Health Sciences ◦Minors for HPE  Health (3 credits!)  Coaching (18 credits)  Exercise science (21-23 credits)  Individuals with disabilities (18-21 credits)

13. H&PE TC Advising – the UG catalog makes clear that ultimately, YOU are responsible for course selection and U. guidelines ◦The quality of advising varies so do your homework ◦Also, advisors are there for more than academics!

14. Q&A Top 5 ◦What do you think are the top 5 reasons students don’t graduate on-time (from Encarta)from Encarta  Parents let them  Students don't go to school every day  Students change their majors too late  Students transfer and lose credits  Students work too much

15. Advising Advising Sheet ◦Fall 2013 and forwardFall 2013 and forward ◦ABSOLUTELY important to know what advising sheet/program you follow ◦Self Help Guide from Dr. CummiskeySelf Help Guide from Dr. Cummiskey ◦Year by Year Checklist from Dr. LeporeYear by Year Checklist from Dr. Lepore ◦PPE’sPPE’s

16. FATE – formal admission to teacher education ◦http://www.wcupa.edu/_academics/coe/fate.aspxhttp://www.wcupa.edu/_academics/coe/fate.aspx ◦No longer is a FATE delay permit ◦Summer letter ◦Message – get FATE ASAP – freshman year is best ◦Basic Skill Testing – take the CORE over PAPABasic Skill Testing ◦Professional Testing Center – can schedule a test any time!Professional Testing Center

17. Mock Selection Take a look at the advising/curriculum/program sheet and do a preliminary schedule for next semester. If you use a different advising sheet, help someone else. ◦Return sheets when you leave