Frequently Asked Registration Questions for newly admitted first-year students

Why am I being asked to choose so many classes on the registration form?
The Academic Advising Center will be putting together a year-long schedule for you based upon a number of factors, including:  the choices that you indicate on the Registration Form, the requirements for your declared major, AP credits, seat availability, and class times. Choosing a variety of classes allows the Academic Advising Center to put together the best possible schedule for you.

How do I know what each of the courses are about?
Course descriptions are included in the Supplemental Information Packet.

What are my “major” courses?
The first page of the Registration Form outlines a typical first-year schedule for the major you have declared, with the “major” classes indicated in bold. Descriptions of these courses can be found in the Supplemental Information Packet.  The Advising Center will place you in the appropriate courses required for your declared major, and fill out your schedule with the required first-year writing courses and General Education classes that you select in the Registration Form.

Can I take more courses in my major instead of taking General Education requirements?
No. Each academic department at the college has outlined specific courses that must be taken in a sequential order for the majors. Please be assured that the Advising Center will place you in the appropriate first-year course(s) for your declared major.

How many classes will I take?
The normal course load for students is 16 credits a semester, or four 4-credit courses. Students within Performing Arts take between 16-18 credits made up of 4-credit, 2-credit and 1-credit courses. Additionally, any student participating in the optional Freshman Symposium will be registered for a total of 17 credits.

When will I be able to see my schedule?
Once the Advising Center has completed the registration process, you will be able to view your schedule online. This will happen shortly before your arrival at Orientation.  We will send a mailing in late August explaining when and how you can view your schedule online.

Will I be able to make changes to my schedule?
We hope you will be happy with the course schedule we build for you, especially since it will be based on your choices!   But,we understand you may wish to make changes.   With the assistance of an academic advisor in the Academic Advising Center, students can make schedule changes throughout the first five days of the semester.  This is a designated add/drop period.

I am playing a varsity sport at Emerson.  How will my classes be scheduled?
Be sure to indicate on the First-Year Survey (last/back page of the Registration Form) that you are a student athlete. The Advising Center is notified by the Athletics Department when practices and games are scheduled.  We will schedule your courses to the best of our ability in order to accommodate your athletic commitments.

What is a waiver?
Certain General Education requirements may be waived based upon particular examinations or experience. Students who qualify for a waiver are exempt from taking those courses/requirements. Note: you do not receive academic credit for a waiver, it simply exempts you from having to take a particular course at Emerson.  The requirements that can be waived are Writing (WR101 Expository Writing), Quantitative Reasoning (mathematics), and World Languages.  Details on what qualifies for a waiver can be found in the Supplemental Information Packet.

How do I know if I received a waiver?
Writing waiver:  The typed label located on the front page of the Registration Form will indicate if you have received a Writing waiver, which is granted for a score of 700 or higher on the Critical Reading portion of the SAT.  (Scores earned for the Writing portion of the SAT do not qualify for a waiver.)   If you have received a Writing waiver, you will be waived from taking the first of the two required first-year writing requirements, WR101 Expository Writing.  Instead, we will register you for the second writing requirement, WR121 Research Writing.

Math and World Language waiver: The Math and World Language waivers will be applied by Admissions over the summer.  These waivers will not impact your first-year course registration.   You can check in with your advisor in the fall semester to determine if you have received a waiver for math or world languages.

What score do I need to get on my AP exams to receive college credit at Emerson?
AP test scores of 4 or 5 will receive 4 credits in the area of the exam. More information about AP exams is available in the Supplemental Information Packet.

If I am expecting AP credit for a General Education requirement, do I still have to rank it?
Yes.  This will allow the Academic Advisors to have as many choices as possible when making your schedule.

Should I wait to return my registration packet until after I receive my AP scores?
No! Adjustments can be made to your schedule to accommodate AP scores that arrive later in the summer. We have provided an area on the registration form to indicate any AP test scores you anticipate receiving. It is within your best interest to return the registration packet as soon as possible.