INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILLING OUT THE
FALL 2008 COURSE PREFERENCE FORM

1. If you have not already done so, please carefully read the following sections of the College of Liberal Arts Catalog before completing the Course Preference Form.  The on-line catalog has the most current information (http://www.willamette.edu/cla/catalog/); follow the Quick Links to Graduation Requirements, General Education, and Academic Advising.  In addition, go to Advising Materials for First-Year Students (http://www.willamette.edu/cla/student/) for helpful information about Foreign Language, Quantitative and Analytical Reasoning, Music, Theatre and Special Considerations.  This reading will explain in detail the reasoning behind degree requirements at Willamette University and guide you in the selection of courses.

2. Note that the Selected Course Schedule includes only courses typically taken by first-year students and currently open for the fall semester.  The on-line schedule (http://www.willamette.edu/registrar/fall.html) lists all fall semester courses, including those that are closed, and your College of Liberal Arts Catalog lists still other options that will be available in future semesters.  The CLA Catalog also contains details and descriptions for the courses listed in the Selected Course Schedule.  These descriptions are arranged alphabetically by prefix.

3. Read on and determine your course preferences before you fill in the Course Preference Form (http://www.willamette.edu/cla/student/fypref.htm).

4. Fill in your name, Social Security number, and contact information for the summer months. 

5. Review the available courses that fulfill the Quantitative requirement in the Selected Course Schedule.  Refer to the enclosed information sheet on Quantitative and Analytical Reasoning to determine what course you should select.  Fill in your preference and alternate course numbers.  Do not include course times or section for these or any of the classes you submit.  See the example Course Preference Form for illustration.

6. Review the Selected Course Schedule for courses in a foreign language.  Refer to the enclosed information sheet on “Foreign Language Placement” to determine what level of course you should select.  If placement testing is required, you must complete and submit the test or you will not be placed into a language course.  Fill in your preference and alternate course numbers.

7. Review the Selected Course Schedule for courses that fulfill Mode of Inquiry requirements.  Select 5 courses from at least three different Modes.  Fill in your 5 preferences and course numbers. 

8. Review the options for a major in which you are interested.  You need not be certain of your major at this point.  Rather, consider these choices to be preliminary explorations.  For this category, you may choose from any of the Selected Course Schedule lists except for the Activities Courses; activities courses do not count toward a major.  Fill in your choice and alternate selection in the appropriate spaces on the form.

9. Now review the Schedule to find a subject that you have never studied before.  This will serve as an exploration in a completely new domain.  For this category, you may choose from any of the Selected Course Schedule lists except for the Activities Courses.  Fill in your choice and alternate selection in the appropriate spaces on the form.

10. Next, review the Schedule to find courses that simply interest you as electives.  This category is designed to provide you with the freedom to follow your own desires for a course to round out your studies.  You may choose your electives from any of the Selected Course Schedule lists (pp. 1-7) except for the Activities Courses list on pages 8-9.  Fill in your choice and alternate selection in the appropriate spaces on the form.

11. Rank the categories, not including activities, from 1-6 in the c spaces provided, with 1 being your first choice.  This ranking will provide us with a sense of your overall preferences.

12. If you wish to take activity, ensemble, or other such co-curricular courses, consult the list in the Selected Course Schedule, make your choices, and fill them in the spaces provided.

13. Submit your information online via the Course Preference Form (http://www.willamette.edu/cla/student/fypref.htm), no later than June 30th, 2008.  (To receive your course preferences, the form must be filled out correctly and turned in on time.)

Your preliminary schedule—the actual courses in which you have been enrolled based on your Course Preference Form—will be distributed to you during Opening Days.  On Monday, September 1, 2008 you will discuss with your advisor your class schedule and your educational and career goals.  You and your advisor will make any necessary schedule changes during this meeting.  It is highly recommended that you postpone purchasing your books until your schedule is finalized on Monday since many schedules change after meetings with advisors.

If you have any questions related to filling out the form, please contact the Registrar’s Office at (503) 370-6206 or by email at registrar@willamette.edu.

Useful Websites

Online Course Preference Form: http://www.willamette.edu/cla/student/fypref.htm  

Fall 2008 Course Schedule: http://www.willamette.edu/registrar/fall.html

Willamette Course Catalog: http://www.willamette.edu/cla/catalog/

Language Placement Exams: http://www.willamette.edu/cla/placement/

Dean's Office: http://www.willamette.edu/cla/dean

Pre-Med Advising: http://www.willamette.edu/cla/premed/

Academic Departments: http://www.willamette.edu/cla/academic.htm

Opening Days: http://www.willamette.edu/dept/osa/programs/od/

College Colloquium: http://www.willamette.edu/cla/colloquium/