Before New Student Orientation

What should I do if I have transfer credit (credit from another institution)?

If you have taken any college-level courses (such as dual enrollment through your high school), official transcripts from each institution where you earned credit must be sent from those institutions to the KU Office of Admissions and Scholarships for evaluation.

Generally, academic courses transfer from any regionally-accredited college or university. The School to which you have been admitted will determine if transfer courses fulfill degree requirements. Remedial, vocational and technical courses will not transfer.

Have my transcripts been received?

If you have questions concerning whether KU has received transcripts and/or test scores, use the following link: www.admissions.ku.edu/status.

What if KU has not received my transcript by my orientation date?

When you come to New Student Orientation, bring a copy of your grade report, transcript, and/or AP and/or IB test scores for all completed and current course work so your academic advisor can help you select appropriate courses. You will have an opportunity to submit transcripts after you check in at New Student Orientation. Do not open official sealed transcripts.

What if I have AP and/or IB scores?

If you have taken Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams through high school programs, you may be eligible to earn credit at KU. The University accepts AP and IB exam scores in several areas. Credit, not grades, will be assigned. You must have your official scores mailed from AP and/or IB to the KU Office of Admissions and Scholarships.

In some cases, your score may exempt you from a course requirement. Higher scores, depending on the subject and the score, may give you credit hours toward your degree. Detailed information on credit and exemptions for AP and IB may be found at www.admissions.ku.edu/credit/earned.shtml.

To have your AP scores sent to KU, contact the Advanced Placement Program at (609) 771-7300 and give them the KU code: 006871. More information from Advanced Placement is available at their website: www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/about.html.

To have your IB scores sent to KU, contact the International Baccalaureate Program at (212) 696-4464. More information from International Baccalaureate is available at their website: www.ibo.org.

If KU has not received your scores by the time you attend New Student Orientation, you will enroll in classes as if you were not receiving advanced placement or credit. Once your scores are received by KU, you will have the opportunity to work with an academic advisor to make course schedule changes.

How do I know if courses I have taken will transfer to KU?

The Office of Admissions and Scholarships provides a credit transfer and earned credit website that will give you a good indication as to how your courses will transfer: www.admissions.ku.edu/credit/earned.shtml.

In which English class should I enroll?

During your first two semesters at KU, it is University policy that you complete the English composition requirement, which includes ENGL 101 and 102. You may take the honors section, ENGL 105, which replaces 101 and 102, if you qualify to do so. Successful completion of the Freshman/Sophomore English Requirement builds your writing competency which is necessary for success in upper-level college courses.

You may be exempt from ENGL 101 with certain ACT English or SAT verbal scores.

• An English ACT score of 31-33 or an SAT verbal score of 600-640 places you in ENGL 102.
• An English ACT score of 34-36 or an SAT verbal score of 650+ places you in ENGL 105.

If you were admitted to the University Honors Program:

• An English ACT score of 31+ or an SAT verbal score of 600+, places you in ENGL 105.
• An English ACT score of 27-30 or an SAT verbal score of 500 to 590 places you in ENGL 102 and you are eligible to take the English Department’s Honors Placement Examination for possible admission to ENGL 105.
• An English ACT score of 26 or lower or an SAT verbal score below 500 places you in ENGL 101.

In which math course should I enroll?

If you have not met the math requirements for your degree, it is University policy that you enroll in math during your first semester at KU. This is to ensure that you immediately build on the mathematics skills you acquired most recently and complete math courses that are prerequisites for many other courses.

Helpful Hint: Some programs at KU require multiple math classes beyond MATH 101 while others may not. It is important that you know what math classes are required for your major interests.

Math placement is based on your math ACT/SAT scores. Students should enroll in the highest level math course for which they are qualified based on the following table:

You must have the minimum ACT/SAT score to enroll in specific math courses as indicated in the math placement table unless:

1. You have already received credit for the prerequisite for a course through advanced placement or transfer credit
   OR
2. You have taken KU’s math placement test to determine your initial placement in math courses. The test is offered on campus in Snow Hall. For test dates and registration information, visit the Mathematics Department website.

Reminder: English and/or math courses taken for college credit while still in high school or credit received through AP/IB will affect your placement in first semester courses at KU. Please be certain you have had your transcripts and/or scores sent to the Office of Admission and Scholarships so that they may be processed before your orientation session.

How does Foreign Language Placement (Placement Test) work?

The Bachelor of Arts and some Bachelor of Science degree programs in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences require proficiency in a foreign language. This is true of some of the professional schools as well. Students who have taken a foreign language in high school or at another college or university may continue the study of that language or start a new language. For more information on the wide variety of languages offered, see the Foreign Languages at KU webpage.

Helpful Hint: If you did not take a foreign language in high school or college, you do NOT need to take a placement exam.

For French, German or Spanish: If you have taken French, German or Spanish in high school and plan to continue the study of that language, you should take the free online placement exam at least one week prior to your orientation session. Use the password listed below. Follow the instructions on the screen and bring your results with you to New Student Orientation.

For all other languages, ask your academic advisor how to contact the department for placement.

What if I want to change my major?

You will have an opportunity to change your major at New Student Orientation check-in on Day One and from 9:30-11:00 a.m. on Day Two.

How do I get professional school and/or major information?

The best place to start is at the website for the school or college or major department in which you are interested.
Schools: www.advising.ku.edu/choosemajor/majors.shtml
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Departments and Academic Programs: http://www.clas.ku.edu/departments.

I have a disability that may impact my scheduling. With whom should I talk?

Disability Resources is housed in the Academic Achievement and Access Center (AAAC). Contacts can be found at http://www.achievement.ku.edu/disability. Additionally, there will be an early bird session during New Student Orientation check-in that focuses on disability resources at KU.

What expectations should I have going into New Student Orientation?

Remember that you are new to the college experience. New Student Orientation is your first opportunity to meet with KU administrators, staff and students, both current and new. Come ready to listen and willing to learn.

What decisions should I expect to make during New Student Orientation?

You will have the opportunity to choose or change your major and select relevant courses in which you will enroll during your first semester at KU. If you have not yet chosen a major, you will be able to choose and enroll in courses that will work toward a wide variety of majors. Having thought about these topics before you come to New Student Orientation will be helpful to you. Remember to be open to new and different courses and/or majors you may have not heard of before coming to New Student Orientation. Also remember to carefully consider the advice you receive at orientation from advisors and other KU staff.