<p>We're way ahead of you. We got a hard copy of the catalog at the college visit.<br>
And from the website we've printed the current semester required freshman writing courses, just to get a feel for what they're like.
Based on past AP scores, we know which gen ed requirements he has completed. He is rather annoyed that he still has one math/computer science class left. His major is undecided but will be most likely either international relations or political science.</p>
<p>Kinshasa, that is a good point! Students should ask for a copy of the college catalogue at every college they visit and are seriously considering. It is a very handy resource to them in understanding the college's degree requirements and the courses which are regularly offered.</p>
<p>Also, once our son decided on Rensselaer and his academic major, he worked out a preliminary 4 year schedule. I did this as an undergrad and suggested that he do the same. I told him that he needed to consider course prerequisites and the semesters courses would be offered. Many courses are offered only one semester of the year and some are only offered on alternate years. Carefully developing a 4 year academic plan avoids missing a course which a student wants to take and allows him to rationally select alternative courses in the event there is a time conflict or a course is closed out.</p>
<p>This happened to him this semester when he was closed out of the second psych class recommended in the bulletin, Experimental Methods and Analysis. It only offered in the spring and he wanted to get it out of the way. He was closed out of it, but instead of randomly selecting another psych course, he had his prelim 4 year schedule available and easily picked the next psych elective available, Methods of Reasoning. He didn't need to go back to his advisor and is certain that the change will not impact next falls schedule either.</p>
<p>My school gave you a PIN over the summer to register for up to 8 credits. It went live sometime like 8am on August 5th or something. I was in Denver on vacation at the time so I had to get up 2 hours earlier and go to a starbucks to register (using the WiFi from the hotel next door...). Then, once we got to school at the end of august, during orientation, each student was given a time to meet with their advisor. At this meeting, you could discuss the plan for the semester, and then the advisor gave you another number to use to register for the rest of your classes. The advisor only advised, at least for me. He didn't suggest anything, although I had already planned out what I was going to do. I could have signed up for completely different classes than I told him I was going to, so he had no actual power in what I sign up for, other than to offer his advice. Basically, I went in, and said "this is what I plan on taking" and he gave his input on it, but I still had the final say.</p>
<p>(If registration, or partial registration requires waking up early, especially if you're out west and registration opens early in the morning east coast time, it is still very worth it to get up. The classes fill up quickly.)</p>
<p>Kinshasa,</p>
<p>It probably depends on the school. When I was a freshman, I met with my advisor and then had to go to sign up for courses. After that semester, I picked out my courses, filled out a sheet, showed it to my advisor, who then signed it, and I took it to the registrar. However, when I transferred, I had to show the advisor the courses I wanted to take, and then sign myself up for them on the internet.</p>