Advising FAQ

How do I register for classes?
How can I find out how classes at another school will transfer to UT?
How do I claim test credits?
What is the Course Instructor Survey?
How do I make an appointment with my advisor?
How do I find out who my advisor is?
What can I expect from my advisor?
What does my advisor expect of me?
How do I drop a class?
How do I change my major?
How do I calculate my GPA?
What is a degree plan and where do I find one?
What is a degree audit and how do I use it?
What is concurrent enrollment?
What if I want to take classes at another institution while enrolled at UT?
How do I complete my grade contract?
What does it mean to be on scholastic probation?
How do I get my transcript?
How do I pass/fail a class?
How do I get my credits from another college to UT?

How do I register for classes?
Registration for classes is done online using Rose, the Registrar's online services. Before registering you need to do the following:

Consult your registration information sheet for access times, advising information and registration bars.
Consult the on-line course schedule to see what is offered.
Meet with an advisor to clear your advising bar and discuss courses.

For more information call the registration helpline at 475-7656, or check the Registrar’s website.

How can I find out how classes at another school will transfer to UT?
The Automated Transfer Equivalency system (ATE) will allow you to find out what your courses from another Texas institution will be equivalent to at the University of Texas.

How do I claim test credits?
First, meet with your Academic Advisor to discuss which scores you should claim. After this discussion log on to the IAE website, then click Current Students, then My Test Results; you will need to enter your EID at this point. This will give you a list of the tests you have taken, your scores, and the classes those scores will give you credit for. When you know which classes to take the credit for, click on Credit or Grade. The results should be in your record by the following Tuesday. There is a fee for accepting these credits.

What is the Course Instructor Survey?
The Course Instructor Survey is a way for professors to receive feedback on their courses and for students to find out information about specific professors.

How do I make an appointment with my advisor?
Call 512-471-3796, or stop by the front desk at WCH 1.106. Any of the front desk staff can assist you with scheduling an appointment on your advisor’s calendar. DO NOT CALL OR EMAIL YOUR ADVISOR, as the front desk handles all scheduling.

How do I find out who my advisor is?
To find out who your advisor is, call 471-3796, or stop by the front desk at WCH 1.106. Be sure to have your EID ready if you call, or have your UT ID ready if you stop by the front desk.

What can I expect from my advisor?
You can expect your advisor:

To help you clarify your values, goals, and better understand yourself;
To provide accurate information about educational options, requirements, policies, and procedures;
To assist you in developing a well-planned exploratory program to facilitate choice of major and career; and to encourage and support you as you gain the skills to develop clear and attainable educational, occupational, and life plans;
To encourage and guide you as you define and develop realistic goals;
To assist you in gaining decision-making skills and skills in assuming responsibility for your educational plans and achievements;
To help you identify and integrate the many resources of the University to meet your unique educational needs and goals; and to provide strategies for utilizing the available resources and services on campus;
To aid you in understanding the nature and purposes of a college education;
To monitor and accurately document your progress toward meeting your goals; and to provide an advising delivery system that maintains confidentiality and privacy, and appropriate record keeping;
To be available for advising via appointment, e-mail or telephone;
To act, in appropriate circumstances, as an advocate for you.

What does my advisor expect of me?
As an advisee, you have clear responsibilities in the advising partnership in order to be successful:

To schedule regular appointments or make regular contacts with your advisor during each semester and keep academic advising appointments, in a timely manner, throughout your academic careers so as to avoid seeking help only during busy registration periods;
To seek help when needed, not waiting until a crisis develops;
To be prepared for advising sessions (i.e., by bringing a list of questions or concerns, having a tentative schedule in mind, and/or being prepared to discuss interests and goals); by bringing and organizing official documents in a way that you can access them when needed;
To ask questions if you do not understand an issue or have a specific concern and to continue asking questions until all concerns are addressed;
To be an active learner by participating fully in the advising experience; including learning requirements of possible academic programs, selecting courses that meet those requirements in an appropriate timeframe, and monitoring and keeping a record of your progress toward graduation and toward meeting your goals;
To become knowledgeable about college programs, policies, and procedures;
To gather all relevant decision-making information;
To complete all assignments or recommendations from your advisor;
To clarify your personal values and goals and provide your advisor with accurate information regarding your interests and abilities;
To accept responsibility for decisions;
To meet critical deadlines including but not limited to: registration, add/drop, and Q-drop;
To inform your advisor of important changes which directly affect academic performance and educational goals;
To discuss with your advisor any unsatisfactory academic performance and its implications in order to develop a program of action;
To obtain a UT email address and check it frequently.

How do I drop a class?
Each college at UT has it’s own rules about dropping classes so be sure you understand the College of Natural Sciences’ own rules. Before dropping a class, discuss the situation with your advisor. The College of Natural Sciences has several deadlines for dropping classes:

Through the 12th class day you can drop a class online through ROSE registration. No Q will appear on your transcript if you drop during this period.
From the 13th through the 20th class day, you can drop a class during the “auto Q drop” period. You must go to the Dean’s Office front counter in WC Hogg 1.106 to fill out a form to drop the class. No instructor approval is needed. You will receive a Q on your transcript.
From the 21st class day until a designated mid-semester deadline, you can drop a class with the instructor’s approval. You will need to pick up the drop form from the front counter in WC Hogg 1.106 and have your advisor and instructor sign it. A Q will appear on your transcript.
As a freshman or transfer student during your first long semester (fall/spring) at UT, you have a single one-time Q drop that you can use through the last class day as long as you haven’t taken the final exam or received a final grade in the class. You can pick up this form from your advisor and in some cases at the front counter in WC Hogg 1.106. The form must be returned before 5:00 pm on the last class day. The one-time Q drop can only be used during your first long semester. A Q will appear on your transcript.

How do I change my major?
Advisors encourage students to think carefully about and to explore their choice of a major. If you would like to explore a major, declare a major or change majors, we recommend that you meet with your advisor.

In some cases your advisor can change your major, or it can be changed at the front counter in WC Hogg 1.106. In other cases, your advisor will recommend that you meet with an advisor for that major before changing. Changing to majors in other colleges sometimes requires an internal transfer application and acceptance into that major. For example, if you would like to major in a business degree, you must apply to and be accepted into the School of Business. Your advisor can give you information about and referrals to majors in our college as well as majors in other colleges.

How do I calculate my GPA?
First, determine the number of grade points earned. Grade points are earned as follows:

For each credit hour of:	You earn:
A B C D F	4 grade points 3 grade points 2 grade points 1 grade points 0 grade points

For example, an A earned in a 3 hour class would be worth a total of 12 points; a B in 3 hours would be 9 points, a C would be worth 6 points, and so forth (number of hours multiplied by number of points).
Your cumulative GPA is the total number of grade points earned divided by the total number of GPA hours.

The following websites will help you calculate GPA and desired GPA:

            http://www.utexas.edu/student/utlc/admin/links/gpacalc.html
            https://secure.casa.colostate.edu/applications/san/targetGPA.cfm

What is a degree plan and where do I find one?
A Degree Plan is an outline of courses required to complete your degree. There are several ways to obtain a degree plan: online, major department, and/or advisor.

What is a degree audit and how do I use it?
IDA (Interactive Degree Audit) provides a computer-generated report of your progress toward completion of the requirements for a specific program at UT-Austin. Using IDA you may view and request degree audits online, project how future courses might apply toward your degree, and locate advising resources. Prospective students may use the IDA Planner to estimate how courses from other institutions might apply to UT-Austin degrees. If you have any questions after reviewing your degree audit, contact your advisor.

What is concurrent enrollment?
Enrollment at the University of Texas at Austin and another institution in the same semester is considered concurrent enrollment.

What if I want to take classes at another institution while enrolled at UT?
It is the policy of the College of Natural Sciences that concurrent enrollment at another institution is not approved during Fall and Spring semesters.

Exceptions to the concurrent enrollment policy are rare. If you think your situation warrants consideration, you must submit a Petition for Exception to Concurrent Enrollment Rules. You will need to include a brief statement of the relevant factors. Written verification of extenuating circumstances may be required.

How do I complete my grade contract?
The grade contract is done online at https://utdirect.utexas.edu/ns/. Make sure you complete the weekly schedule portion of the contract.

What does it mean to be on scholastic probation?
The University policy on scholastic probation can be found here. Please make an appointment with your academic advisor to discuss how College of Natural Sciences grade contract impacts university policies.

How do I get a copy of my UT transcript?
Instructions for obtaining a copy of your UT transcript can be found through the Office of the Registrar:
http://www.utexas.edu/student/registrar/transcripts/

How do I pass/fail a class?
The necessary form for changing a class to pass/fail is available in the Natural Sciences Dean's Office (WCH 1.106). Refer to the University calendar for the deadline. You will receive only elective credit for classes taken on a pass/fail basis. You should speak with your academic advisor if you are unsure about taking a class pass/fail.

How do I get my credits from another college to UT?
Transcripts from other institutions should be mailed to the Office of Admission at the following address:

University of Texas at Austin
Office of Admissions
P.O. Box 8058
Austin, Texas 78713-8058