If you are an incoming frosh, anxiously awaiting to receive your schedule, please know that you will have a schedule before your orientation date, and you will be able to make some changes to your schedule. You may not be able to make every desired change. We will address making changes to your schedule later in this post.
Before creating your schedule, we look at the following:
- Your scheduling constraints (athletes, commuters, students with health concerns, etc.)
- Your admissions file, including your high school transcripts and your college essay
- Any college credits that you self-report,
- The course request form you completed when you Registered for Orientation.
Based on the information that you provide and the requirements of your major, we create your schedule. If you are in a Living and Learning Community (L-LC) , you will be scheduled for two classes with your L-LC.
Chat with Us
We will be live 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 21, on the Class of 2021 Facebook page to answer general questions about academic advisement and scheduling at UAlbany. We hope to connect with you!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Below you will find some answers to frequently asked questions about 1st-year student scheduling:
1. Can I schedule my classes so that I have a day off during the week?
Maybe. While it is possible to have a schedule with a day off, it is not likely. Most classes are offered either Monday-Wednesday-Friday, or Tuesday-Thursday. Many students find that they do not perform as well or are more stressed when they attempt to stack all of their classes on the same days. Balance is key.
2. I am registered for a 200 level class – is this OK?
Yes! Not all disciplines start with classes at the 100 level. 200 level courses tend to be more specified. For example AHIS 100 American Political and Social History I is a survey of American history from early times to the Civil War. Whereas, on of our AHIS 290 Topics in American History focuses on the history of the Hudson River Valley.
3. Why do I have breaks between my classes?
College coursework differs greatly from high school. You will be expected to commit 2-3 hours per week of work outside the classroom for each credit hour of a course. For example, a 3 credit course will generally require 6-9 hours per week of work outside the class itself. While having two classes in a row is fine, any more than that may become too overwhelming, especially during key points in the semester. Remember, you are coming into a new educational system. Pace yourself for success.
Not sold on breaks between classes?
Check out 8 Tips for Choosing College Classes.
4. How do I receive credit for my AP, IB exams or college courses, I took in high school?
Advanced Placement: In order to receive credit for your AP tests, you will need to have earned a score of 3 or higher. You will need to send your official score report from College Board to our Undergraduate Admissions in order for them to be counted in your records.
International Baccalaureate: Receiving credit for your IB exams is a little more involved depending on whether or not you have an IB diploma. Click here for more information about how we accept IB credit.
Credit from another college: If you earned college credit through another college while you were in high school, you must ask the college/s to send your official transcript/s to our Undergraduate Admissions. Official transcripts must be sent from the institution that “owned” the class. For example, if you took SUPA Forensics, we would need a transcript from Syracuse University.
Make sure to send us your AP and/or IB scores and official college transcripts as soon as possible. Previously earned credits can affect your registration, financial aid eligibility, and future housing options. Knowing what you did before, helps your advisor to better help you. When we create your schedules, in the summer, we take into consideration the previous credits that you mentioned on your course request form.
5. Do I have to take a freshman seminar?
Freshmen Seminars are optional for most students, but they are one of the best ways to sample a subject of interest and to learn about university expectations in a nurturing environment. These classes are small and the professors are available to answer questions, not only about the topic you are learning, but about all aspects of academic life at UAlbany. All students in Living Learning Communities and students in certain majors are required to take a freshmen seminar attached to their program. If you are unsure about whether you need to keep your seminar, contact the advisor who made your schedule.
Most students who are not enrolled into a Freshmen Seminar are enrolled into Writing and Critical Inquiry their first semester.
6. Why do I have classes that have nothing to do with my major?
We are a research university with many opportunities to expand one’s knowledge in a given field and to transform those fields. Every major at UAlbany, at some point, will require a level of creativity, analysis, and communication that is best developed by a well-rounded, education. In addition to the requirements for your academic plan (major and minor), you are required to complete General Education requirements, and ultimately earn at least 120 credits to graduate. For most students, this means that there will be space, to earn credits toward their degree which may not count toward their major, but will, hopefully, have a positive impact on their academic experience. These credits, or electives, may include other courses of interest, or through applied learning. For more information, check out our post, “Many Ways to Earn Credit at UAlbany.”
7. Do I have to take electives? What are electives anyway?
Students must earn 120 credits to earn a bachelor’s degree at UAlbany. Generally speaking, the credits earned in a student’s major, minor and general education requirements will fall short of the necessary credits. This is where electives come in. Some students may have, as many as 45 credits of elective space and as few as 12 credits of elective space. Electives give students the opportunity to explore new areas of interest, as well as to take classes in disciplines they have never had the opportunity to try. As mentioned above, students may also use this elective space to earn credits via hands-on experience. For more information, check out our post, “Many Ways to Earn Credit at UAlbany.”
8. I don’t see a math class on my schedule. Is this a problem?
No! While every student has to fulfill a math/statistics general education requirement, not all majors require a math course. For example, Political Science, does not require a math course. It is not unusual for your schedule not to include a math course. If your intended major or career path requires math, contact your academic advisor to find out whether or not your need to take a math course during your first semester.
9. I took a college level English class in high school. Do I still need Writing and Critical Inquiry (UUNI110 or AENG110)?
All freshmen are required to take Writing and Critical Inquiry (WCI) during their first year, regardless of AP or previous college credit. If you are not enrolled in WCI for the Fall, you will take it in the Spring.
What is Writing and Critical Inquiry?
Hear from WCI Director, Robert Yagelski
10. Can I change my schedule?
Maybe. Some of your major-related courses may not be able to be changed, especially if there is only one section of a particular course. Some courses are attached to Living and Learning Communities. For the most part, course times can be changed. You will be able to alter your schedule after Orientation.
Caution: You should not schedule your classes back-to-back. Doing so, restricts your ability to seek help and advice from your professors during their office hours. Many students find it helpful to have a break to eat and rest a bit between classes. As mentioned above, balance is key. Two classes, back-to-back cane be fine, but three or more, leaves you no time to process what you have just experienced in class. That same information you might not have time to process, may be on the next exam. If you have questions or concerns, contact your advisor.
11. I no longer want the major I chose. What do I do?
If your schedule has already been made, contact your academic advisor. They may want to speak to you more about your interests and aspirations to help you create a schedule that will allow you to have options.
If your schedule has not yet been created, but you have submitted your course request form/registered for orientation, e-mail advisor@albany.edu with your full name, former major choice and current major choice. If you know your UAlbany Id number, please include that too. We will let the advisor creating your schedule know of the change before your schedule is made.
If your schedule has not yet been created, and you have not yet submitted your course request form/registered for orientation, you will be able to change your intended major on the course request form.
12. How do I look up course descriptions?
Simply, log into your MyUAlbany account. Click on Academics. The link to course descriptions is in the left menu.
Do you have additional questions? If so, share them by commenting below, and we will update our list of answers!
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