First Year Student Registration

Fall 2008 Course Registration Instructions

Getting Started

These instructions are designed to help you make course selections for your first semester of study at Lafayette College. At this point in time, you might have many interests and no particular area in mind, you might be planning to explore a few select options or you might have a strong idea about your academic focus. We know that the exciting process of exploring and choosing an academic major requires information, experience, thought and time. This is why you will not be asked to officially declare your major(s) until your sophomore year. If you would like to become familiar with the academic majors available at Lafayette College, information about every academic department is available here. You might also explore the Lafayette College Catalog.

Registration is a four-step process:

1. Explore course recommendations
2. If required, take surveys and placement tests in chemistry, foreign languages, and/or math
3. List course selections on your hard copy Registration Worksheet (no class times needed)
4. Register online: June 2 - 30, 2008

Step One: Explore course recommendations

Once you have an idea about your interests, you are ready to read about course selection recommendations in the online Course Selection Guide.

The Guide contains course selection advice for all academic majors and provides guidance to all students, whether they have a clear academic focus for their first semester of study or are exploring their options. As you read about course recommendations for specific areas of study, you will be directed to more information that will help you make the best course selection. You are encouraged to familiarize yourself with these resources (all are links in the left-hand column):

• How Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) scores might influence your course selections.
• How to use placement testing in chemistry, foreign languages, and mathematics.
• A guide to understanding your choices from the Common Course of Study
• Full course lists for First Year Seminars and First Year Courses.

Your responsibility is to select courses that are of interest to you, you do not need to know when a class meets; our Registrar’s Office will make sure that you have a balanced course schedule as they make final decisions about the times and days of the week your courses will meet. If you are a varsity athlete playing a sport in-season during the fall, the Registrar will know about your scheduling needs. Because space may not be available in a course you have selected, you are asked to also choose alternate courses wherever possible.

Step Two: Take required online surveys and placement tests

As you read about courses and learn about recommended courses, you might find that you will need to take online surveys and placement tests in chemistry, foreign languages, and/or mathematics. If this applies to you, take the online survey(s) and placement test(s) prior to beginning your online registration session. Follow instructions to have access codes ready to use: your Lafayette "L number", Network ID, and Password. These codes were sent to your home in a packet mailed in mid-May.

Step Three: Complete your hard copy Registration Worksheet

When you have thoroughly researched course recommendations and have taken required placement tests, you are ready to fill out your Registration Worksheet (one was sent to your home and you can download more). The Registration Worksheet looks exactly like the online registration page where you will make course selections from a drop-down menu. Online registration is restricted to one online session, therefore, you need to be well prepared to make all of your course selections during that one session.

Step Four: Register Online - June 2 through June 30

Before you attempt to register online, make sure that you have:

1. If required, you have taken online surveys and placement tests in chemistry, mathematics and/or foreign languages.
2. Finished consulting online information to make your course selections.
   
3. Completed your Registration Worksheet.
4. Have your Network ID and Password ready to use. They were sent to you in mid-May on a label inside the Tech Orienation CD.

Remember: Once you log in, you must complete all course selections.

1. Go to the “I Am Ready To Register” link between June 2 - June 30.
2. Use your Network ID and Password to log in.
3. Select your current area(s) of academic interest from the drop-down menu.
4. Make your course selections using the drop-down menus.
5. Click FINISH.

If, for any reason, you do not register online by June 30 or your registration session fails, please add your name and L number to your Registration Worksheet and send it to us. You have two choices:

1. FAX your completed Registration Worksheet to the Office of the Dean of the College: Attention Dean Robbins. The FAX number is 610-330-5711.OR
2. Mail your completed Registration Worksheet to the Office of the Dean of the College, Attention: Dean Robbins, 1 Markle Hall, Easton, PA 18042.

If you need to make changes after your have made your course selections, you may choose to consult with your class dean or the Registrar's Office, or you will also have an opportunity to make changes in your course selections during Orientation in late August.

Course Selection Guide