<p>I will begin attending UVA this fall. Very excited, although I have a few concerns I was wondering if anyone here had experience with. I am bringing in 35 credits according to my transfer evaluation. I was surprised to find UVA is only allotting me 4 semesters to complete my degree. </p>
<p>I have already contacted the transfer admissions Dean and he has confirmed this allotment, telling me I have ample oppurtunity with J-term, summer semester, etc. </p>
<p>My concern is that I am coming to UVA with the hope to study Astronomy and Physics, and this is a pretty structured degree. Entering with 35 credits I have plenty of room to complete it. The problem is it takes 4 semesters of physics to unlock the 3000 level courses. </p>
<p>Does anyone have any experience/success in requesting an additional semester to finish their degree? I would be a bit dissappointed if I am unable to study what I really want to. Thanks for any input!</p>
<p>Also, my Academic Advisement Report in SIS says “Academic Level: Two.” I’ve looked in the SIS glossary and it says this denotes what year you are. So does “Two” mean I’ve completed two years, or I am a second-year? Anyone know for sure what the academic level represents?</p>
<p>You need 120 credits to graduate. That is an average of 15 per semester, so 35 credits should make you a 2nd year. Assuming all your credits count toward requirements, you will still need at least 85 to graduate. At 15 per semester you will still be at least 24 credits short after 2 years. I can’t believe they want you to take that many courses during what will be only 1 available summer and 2 J-terms.</p>
<p>I agree! But they made me switch to the third year orientation … I did all the same math as you and I was stunned by the 4 allotted semesters. Besides, J-term and summer semester doesn’t help for the major I want to do. Ahhh … </p>
<p>And, yes, it all counts. I just need the second writing req. I “hope” to test out of language.</p>
<p>That is ridiculous. Get a good transfer advisor immediately who can get you an extra semester. Get in contact with Ed Murphy - he is very helpful and will help you navigate the system without all of the bs they are feeding you right now. Best of luck.</p>
<p>Thanks for your responses. I had considered contacting the Astronomy department next, and I appreciate you suggesting it as well. I just want some more information before I go to orientation and look like an idiot. I mean, they made me sign up for the one where you have to declare a major. What the hell, I have 35 creds in “area requirements.”</p>
<p>You might be able to do a physics BA in two years, but unless you’re skipping all of the prereqs I don’t think a BS is possible, let alone the astronomy physics major. If you want to do that you should get this fixed ASAP.</p>
<p>^Yeah, the Astr/Phys is not possible. Close, but no. Although you don’t <em>have</em> to do the 4 track sequence for the BS in Phys, so I think I could maybe swing it. I could easily do a BA, and maybe even with an astronomy minor, but I don’t know how that would look for grad school. I think trying to get an extra semester is the way to go.</p>
<p>Why are they only giving you two years to complete your study when you are coming in with only 35 credits? My daughter is coming in with 50 credits after one year of college elsewhere plus AP credits and she is coming in as a second year, not a third year (attending second year orientation).</p>
<p>I don’t know why! I contacted the transfer dean and, without explanation, I was advised to change my orientation to the 19th. I had signed up for the second-year orientation just assuming. It seemed obvious. The letter I got clearly stated 4 semesters with an expected Spring 2014 graduation. I’m ****ed!</p>
<p>My only thought is that I have an associate’s degree??? Maybe? I also went part-time at PVCC because I had a full time job. Took me 2 springs, a summer, and a fall to complete. Fact remains 35 credits is what is coming with me …</p>
<p>Well that might make some sense, if they see you have an associates degree they may assume you have 2 years of college work. Do you have more than 35 credits from the associates degree and they are just accepting 35 for transfer? Yeah, you definitely need to get in touch with someone who can straighten that all out for you. Something doesn’t sound right, maybe they have made assumptions based on the assoc degree.</p>
<p>I thought going to the “transfer admissions dean” would clear it up. My credit has been evaluated and I received a letter letting me know it was on file now. I checked my ‘SIS’ and, just as I had thought, it lists 35 creds. I hope I didn’t screw myself by getting the associate’s. I didn’t have to, but I had been putting in a lot of hard work so I changed a course or two to get it as an achievement. We’ll see if I can hopefully get something to change.</p>
<p>Let me understand this correctly, you have an associates degree, which would mean you have 60 college credits-however UVa only accepted 35 credits? </p>
<p>My reason for stating this is no one can have an associates degree with only 35 credits. Most state mandates are 60-64 credits.</p>
<p>Sure, let me explain. I graduated high school some time ago. I’m non traditional. I have multiple APs that my CC accepted but did not reach UVA’s standards. I also served in the military, which gave me PE credits, electronics credit, and “information” literacy. UVA doesn’t take military credits like that either. So: I took 38 credits at CC to complete my associate’s. 1 credit is an orientation crap-class that doesn’t apply to UVA, and the other 2 missing credits are Calc I and II which are 5 credits at CC but 4 at UVA. Therefore: 35 credits. Which is what my UVA transcript says! Yet, 4 semesters allotted.</p>
<p>Thank you, Oculus. That really explains a lot of why this is occurring. Basically, since you have an associates degree, most colleges, including UVa, will look at that factor and say you have 4 semesters left-although you are only allotted 35 accepted credits. Did you spell all of this out for the transfer Dean in an email? I think when it is in black and white (meaning in writing) versus given to someone over the phone it makes a difference. UVa is very big on graduating students ‘on time’. Meaning in four years. You are truly in an unique situation. </p>
<p>Another option would be to contact Dean Groves. He is the Dean of Students and explain your situation. He is a wonderful man and the students adore him. </p>
<p>Thank you for another potential avenue to take. Yes, I contacted the transfer dean via email to thoroughly explain my situation. I got what I would consider a “stock reply” that didn’t seem to be personally attentive at all and basically said “uh, yeah, I sent you a letter saying 4 semesters so you better change to the third-year orientation.”</p>
<p>Yes. On my best day I could throw a rock and it would land near grounds. I have sent a few emails today and if that doesn’t work I will try to meet with someone. I work 8-4pm so it is tough to get there while offices are open.</p>