WELCOME (BACK)!

The Fall 2012 semester is about to start . . . new students are arriving for their Fall Orientation (we'll see you undelcared students on Friday!), and returning students (unless they've arrived early to work at the orientation) will be coming this weekend. 

Keep reading the Blog for information about important deadlines, information sessions, etc. related to your academics at UMass.

If you're undeclared and fit into either of these groups, pay attention to these dates:

• UNDECLARED TRANSFERS - If you are NOT taking the transfer seminar (UNIV 125T), you MUST attend one of two Transfer Information Sessions, which will be held in Room 604 Goodell

                      Friday, 9/7, 2:30-3:30 pm
                      Tuesday, 9/11, 4-5:00 pm

• UNDECLARED STUDENTS HOPING TO DECLARE ENGINEERING - If you are NOT a first-year student in the Focus STEM RAP, come to meet with advisors from Engineering to hear about what you'd need to do to get accepted into an Engineering major.

                      Thursday, 9/6, 4-5:00pm, 604 Goodell

Are You Ready for Fall 2012?

The first day of classes is only 15 days away!  If you have questions about your schedule, make an appointment to meet with an advisor before the end of Add/Drop. 

Incoming students should check out the Fall NSO schedule.  Click here if you're an incoming First Year Student or here if you're an incoming Transfer Student.

There will be lots of events during First Week.  Check the schedule regularly to see what's been added.  Be sure to visit the Activities Expo in the Student Union on Wednesday, September 5 from 4:00pm - 7:00pm.  Learn about RSOs, get involved, and meet new people.

As you start to shift into your academic time management mode, pay attention to dates and deadlines, especially during the first two weeks.  Add/Drop ends on Monday, September 17.  This is also the last day to register for a Five College Interchange course.

Fall 2012 Test Dates and Information:

Foreign Language Exemption Tests 

• German, Latin and Spanish: Sunday, September 2 at 4:00pm or Monday, September 3 at 3:00pm in Room 163 Campus Center.
• French: Sunday, September 2 at 4:00pm or Monday, September 3 at 3:00p in the Calipari Room, W E B DuBois Library.

Writing Placement and Exemption Test 

•   Tuesday, September 4 at 6:00pm in Bartlett 206. 

Basic Math Skills (R1) Exemption Test

• Monday, September 10 at 6:30 in Marcus 131.  Bring a #2 pencil, ID, and a calculator. 

We'll be posting lots of information during the first few weeks of the semester.  Be sure you're reading all of your UMail carefully and have your planner or calendar with you at all times to record deadlines, meetings, and info sessions.

See you soon!

Couldn't do it without them . . .

We've finished the ten freshmen New Student Orientation sessions for the summer, and will be focusing on transfers for the next week or so.

We're grateful for the staff advisors - professional and graduate students - who advise throughout the summer and the academic year.  You can find many of them on our Meet the Staff page of our website. 

We're also especially appreciative of the peer advisors who assist us with summer orientations . . . we know their perspective brings credibility and comfort to new students.  We hope to continue working with some of them - in varying capacities - during the school year.

Peer Advisors - we ALL thank you!

 

Tyler, Kelsey, Hannah, Brandon, Veronica, Ken, Gabby, Paul, Liz, Jennie, Ericka.  Missing from group photo: Haley, shown in 6/27 post, bottom photo.

new section of OASIS

Due to popular demand, Undergraduate Advising has added another section of UNIV 125, OASIS First-Year Seminar.  If you didn't get OASIS into your schedule, you can add it - or if you're NOT in a RAP and you want to change sections for a different time, use the SWAP function on SPIRE to make sure you don't lose your seat entirely.  The new section meets Tuesday afternoons, from 4-5:15pm.

Want to learn more about OASIS for undeclared students?  Check out our previous post.

Remember, if you have questions about your schedule or if you are contemplating changes, check in with an advisor FIRST!  Call 413-545-2191 to set up a time to speak with someone.

New Students' Comments

Seven out of ten freshmen summer orientation sessions have taken place, and new students are leaving campus happy and excited. 

In response to "The BEST part of my NSO academic advising experience was," students commented:

• My peer advisor was really great. He helped me pick classes and was open to all of my requests. He also answered all my silly questions thoughtfully and patiently, which was greatly appreciated!
• Being matched with classes that suited my academic skills best, even though I wasn't aware of them at first. Ending up with a full, balanced course load.

• I liked when everything came together and the amount of focus I have regarding my interests really increased.

And, when asked "What EXCITES you most about coming to UMass this fall?" students said:

• The freedom to study what truly intrests me, I cannot wait to study what I'm really passionate about!

• Starting a new life and focusing on what I love. It's time for me to turn over a new leaf, and I couldn't possibly be more excited.
• I am excited about the entire experience. After NSO, I feel like I will really enjoy UMass in many ways, especially because it is completely what I make of it. I am exctied about my classes, meeting my peers, and exploring the campus and surrounding area.

We're excited to have you come to UMass Amherst, Class of 2016!

SPIRE - Learn the Ins & Outs

It's impossible to function at UMass Amherst without using SPIRE . . . and yet, how many of us know how to use it effectively and efficiently?

Check out the *NEW* SPIRE videos . . . whether you're an incoming student who is just learning the ropes, or a returning student who always thinks "hmmm - I knew how to do this the last time I registered, but now I forget!"

There are currently three instructional videos, with more to come.  Click here to view now:

Getting Started

Searching for Classes

Enrolling in Classes



New Student Advising - Full Speed Ahead!

The Class of 2016 started arriving for New Student Orientation the first week of June, and NSO sessions will run through the middle of July.  While on campus for each two-day session, incoming students learn a bit about how the University and academic requirements work, meet with the academic dean of their School/College, take placement tests, meet with an advisor to choose their courses for fall, and have many opportunities to learn about the opportunities awaiting them at UMass.  In addition, they HAVE FUN!

Here are a few pictures and comments from students who have attended NSO already this summer.  These comments were in response to this prompt: "The BEST part of my academic advising experience was . . ."

• "working one-on-one with a very knowledgeable adviser! Before this advising session I felt overwhelmed and confused about the whole process but now I am excited about all of my courses and know how to navigate better on SPIRE." 

• The advisors were "patient and understanding. They worked with me to get a good mix of classes I wanted and classes that were essential."

• "The relief of having someone to help me understand what classes i needed to take and would be best suited for me."
  

Academic Appeal Deadline: Tuesday, June 12 at NOON!

If you are facing academic discipline (suspension or dismissal), you have a deadline coming up in less than one week!

Make sure you CAREFULLY read ALL communications regarding your status and follow directions CLOSELY.

Click to read our earlier post for more information and reread the email sent to you by the Registrar's Office.

Do NOT miss this deadline!

OASIS Seminars

Are you UNDECLARED?  If so, check out the OASIS seminars (UNIV 125), designed especially to assist you in transitioning into UMass and making the most of the incredible opportunities here.

Also, there are versions of the OASIS seminar for other specific populations - not just undeclared students:

• UNIV 125T is for new transfers, and open to undeclared OR declared students
• UNIV 125V is for veterans, again open to undeclared OR declared students
• UNIV 192G is for undeclared students who are on probation, and who want to get back on track academically.

Here's what a student who took it last spring said: "I would say definitely take this class first semester when everything is new and overwhelming. It teaches you a lot about what is on campus and what areas of academics you might want to study."

Welcome, New Students!

Summer New Student Orientation (NSO) for freshmen and transfers will run from the beginning of June through mid-July. If you're an incoming student and you haven't yet signed up for an orientation session, click here for more details. 

Advisors from Undergraduate Advising and each of UMass' schools and colleges will be working with incoming students to set up their class schedules for fall, and incoming students will also be participating in a jam-packed schedule of activities designed to set them up for success at UMass community in the fall and beyond.

If you're on campus, say hello to students wearing nametags on a lanyard around their neck. If you're trying to get in touch with an academic advisor, know that we're focused on new students for much of the coming weeks. Feel free to email us or call for an appointment (413-545-2191) - just know that you may not connect with your advisor immediately.