Changes Ahead: Things to Know About Schedules

By: Marianne Salina, Academic Advising and Assistance 

While summers may seem like a quiet time here at Gonzaga, they are in fact some of the busiest months here in the Office of Academic Advising and Assistance! The advisors carefully construct all of our incoming freshman schedules and make any necessary adjustments during the month of August.

Academic Interest Survey: After your student was admitted and confirmed for fall 2015, our office emailed an Academic Interest Survey to his or her Zagmail, which asks specific questions regarding prospective major, comfort level in certain types of classes, and any academic concerns he or she may have. Based on this information, we build schedules that meet Gonzaga University’s core, as well as requirements in specific majors. Undecided students will take core classes and introduction courses for which they’ve expressed interest. Schedules are built during the months of June and July and will not be considered final until the first week of August. We kindly ask that you or your student refrain from calling regarding changes prior to this time, as schedules are still being adjusted.

Schedule Changes: Some of our incoming students will be perfectly happy with their schedules, and they have nothing to change. Other students may have completely changed their minds about what they wish to study (it happens!), and they will need to change almost everything. The good news is, changes can be made in these situations, but there are some limits.

Here are the guidelines for how the advisors in AAA will help your student make changes:

• AAA cannot make changes based on preference of time or professor. We simply do not have space in courses to make these kinds of changes. As an incoming freshman, it is very likely that you will have early morning classes or evening classes. We have registered your student the courses he or she needs to fulfill core requirements, and this is our first priority.
• AAA will begin taking calls from students who need to change their schedules between August 3 – 13. This is considered the Pre-Orientation Schedule Change period, and your student may reach us by phone or by email during this time.
• AAA will only take schedule change requests directly from the student, whether over the phone, by email, or in person.
• New Student Orientation is August 27 – 31. AAA will take student-scheduled appointments for changes during this time. Parents and family members are asked to remain in the waiting room during this time to ensure confidentiality.
• Schedule additions take place September 1 – 9; Schedule drops take place September 10 – 11.
• An average course load is approximately 16 credits. Some students will have 17 or 18 credits. This is normal and is consistent with all other students who are following degree tracks on a four-year timeline.
• AP scores should be mailed to the Office of Admission. If your student has earned AP credit for a course it will be applied toward their degree. For a comprehensive list of how AP credit is articulated, please visit: http://www.gonzaga.edu/Admissions/Undergraduate-Admissions/Apply/Running-Start-Credit-By-Exam/Advanced-Placement.asp
• Science and Math courses are major specific, therefore your student may not have one of these courses their first year.

We look forward to working with your student this fall! Until then, we hope you enjoy a safe and healthy summer. Go Zags!