Freshman Student’s Express Guide to Advising & Registration

NETWORK ID AND EMAIL

Your Net ID establishes you as a member of the UMW Community, so securing this access to the EagleNet portal is an important first step! Beginning April 4 your NetID will be available online.

• To look up your NetID and temporary password, go to http://technology.umw.edu/logins/finding-your-netid/.  Follow the directions on the webpage. If you have any problems logging onto EagleNet call the UMW HelpDesk at (540)654-2255.  (Academic Services cannot assign NetIDs.)
• Using your NetID, you will also be able to check your UMW email.

Go to www.umw.edu, click on Helpful Links, click on email (the envelope icon).

• On the left side of the page there are guides with step by step instructions for setting up your email and changing your password. Click on the red Eaglemail button to log into your email.
• Next you will access your email by entering your email address your temporary password (first letter of your first name [upper case] + first letter of your last name [lower case] + last four of social security number + 2 digits for birth month). If you have any problems logging into your email call the UMW HelpDesk at (540) 654-2255.

INITIAL CONTACT

One of the first emails you receive will come from advise@umw.edu. This email will contain a link to the New Student Advising Survey. It is extremely important that you complete this survey immediately. The interests you express in the survey will be used to assign your First-Year Advisor. You will meet your First-Year Faculty Advisor during New Student Orientation.

Once you have completed the above steps it is time to begin planning your schedule. Freshman will register June 18-July 13, allow two weeks before registration to complete the rest of this guide.

SCHEDULING TIPS

• Full-Time student status is between 12 and 18 credits.  We recommend you register for no more than 16 credits your first semester at UMW.
• Student athletes should set aside time for practice from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday and schedule as many classes as possible between 8 am through 1 pm to avoid academic conflicts when traveling to away competitions.  Early morning classes fit student athletes’ schedules better than late afternoon, evening and night classes!
• One of the General Education Requirements is completing a Foreign Language through the intermediate (202) level. If you have previous experience with a foreign language, the Foreign Language Placement Test can be used to determine the level at which you should begin language study at UMW. The online test is available beginning April 4 through August 15. More information about the test can be found on your EagleNet homepage.  Outside the online testing period, you should consult with the Modern Languages Chair or the Classical Languages Chairfor placement information.
  • View the Open Courses listing to identify classes.  To organize your preferences, consider using a copy of the Scheduling Worksheet and a Course Registration Request Form. You will be using the CRN (Course Registration Number) to register for classes.
  • Filling out the Registration Request Forms puts all the CRNs you need on one paper that you can easily have beside your computer on the day of registration.
  •  It is best to have 4 or 5 classes selected as well as 4 or 5 alternate classes or alternate times.
  • Return to the Open Course List the day before registration starts to update your plan with new classes that have come available.
  • You must meet a minimum number of credits and satisfy requirements in three categories to graduate: Major Courses, General Education Courses, and Elective Courses. A balanced schedule includes components of all three sections. Keep in mind that some of your graded elective courses can be used to complete a Minor or pre-professional interests such as Allied Medical, Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, Pre Veterinary Medicine, Pre Law, and Teacher Education.  (Requirements for each major can be found in the Academic Catalog).

Major Courses: If you have an idea of what you would like to major in, then follow one of the links below to find out more information about classes to take your first semester.  You can take this opportunity to view any of the other majors that may interest you.   If you are unsure about your major then review the Undecided option. Under each major there are sample schedules to help guide you thru the process.

First-Year Seminar (FSEM) : You must take a First-Year Seminar during your first year (not necessarily your first semester) at UMW as part of your General Education Requirements. The following First-Year Seminars were offered recently. Please check the current Schedule of Classes to see which ones are currently being offered. Follow the links for more information about these courses (these are links to sample syllabuses that maybe from previous semesters, they are subject to change)

Elective Courses are those that do not satisfy major or general education requirements.

REGISTERING ONLINE

• Online registration for freshman students is June 18 – July 13.
• To register, log on to EagleNet, go to Banner Self-Service → Student & Financial Aid → Registration → Register or Add/Drop Classes.
• Select the term and campus(Fredericksburg), then click Submit
• On the following page, enter the CRNs at the bottom of the page. You can enter all of the CRNs at the same time (one class per box). Click Submit Changes. If a class is successfully added, it will indicate “Web Registered” Otherwise, a flag will alert you that registration is not possible (such as “course is full” or “pre-requisite not met”).
• If you are missing a pre-requisite or transfer work has not been evaluated, you may need to contact Academic Services in order to be considered for “out of sequence” permission.  Contact us with questions.
• An alternate method of registration is logging on to EagleNet, go to Banner Self-Service → Student & Financial Aid  →  Registration →  Look-Up Classes to Add. This tool allows you to look up classes and select them to register.
• After you have registered, print a copy of your schedule in the Registration section of EagleNet. Any time you make changes, check your Banner schedule and save a copy for your records.

ORIENTATION AND BEYOND

• Freshman students must attend New Student Orientation where they will be a part of a Freshman Student group, led by Orientation Leaders (OLs).
• You will be assigned an Academic Advisor in your area of interest.  So, the interests you express in the New Student Advising Survey will be used to assign your Faculty Advisor. You will meet your Faculty Advisor during New Student Orientation.
• In subsequent semesters, you will meet with your Faculty Advisor to discuss your progress, review academic plans and course selection, and receive your Registration Permission Number (RPN) to access the online registration module during your registration appointment time.   (Note:  During your first semester at UMW, this process with Academic Services outlined above replaces the RPN process.)

OVERVIEW OF TOOLS AND RESOURCES

• If you have previous coursework that is not yet in the system and you are unsure about how it will transfer to UMW, review the Registrar’s webpage for AP, IB, Cambridge, or Virginia Community College transferrable credit.
• Run a “What If” Analysis to help you identify courses required for your degree.  Here are the steps to complete a “What If” Analysis:
  • Log in to EagleNet, go to Banner Self-Service → Student & Financial Aid → Student Records →  Degree Evaluation.
  • Select the correct term and campus, then click Submit.
  • On the next page scroll down, click on the link on the bottom right entitled Degree Evaluation (if declared major)/What If Analysis (if undeclared).
  • Select the term and click Continue.
  • Select the degree program in which you are considering majoring and click Continue.
  • Under the First Major Option, select the Department of the major. Select the term and hit Generate Request.
  • Select Detail Requirements and Submit.
  • Requirements.  When you scroll down through this analysis, the requirements are on the left.   This Analysis contains four main areas of interest for you at this time General Education, Writing-Speaking, Experiential Learning and Major

Some of this material is covered under the Video Guides link on Academic Services website.