SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Students interested
in some majors, academic programs and co-curricular activities
should take into account additional considerations when planning
their schedules. Please review these items carefully if you are
interested in any of the following programs or activities.
Sciences
Students interested in majoring in one of the sciences or in
pursuing one of the health professions should recognize that
majors in the sciences are highly sequenced; it is therefore
important that students begin their programs early in their
college careers. The Chemistry Department strongly encourages
incoming students with an interest in either chemistry or biology,
or in pre-medical studies, to register for Introductory Chemistry
I (CHEM 115) in the fall semester of their first year. Putting
this course off until later often leads to problems in sequencing
the remaining chemistry and/or biology courses that are necessary
for these areas of study. The Chemistry Department does offer
one other general chemistry course, Chemical Concepts and Applications
(CHEM 110). This is a one-semester “terminal” course
meant solely for those who do not plan to major in the sciences,
but who nevertheless maintain an interest in chemistry.
Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate
(IB)
If you have taken College Board Advanced Placement (AP) tests
and received a score of 4 or 5, you should hear soon from the
Registrar's Office regarding the amount of credit you have been
awarded. AP scores of 4 and 5 are generally granted the equivalent
of 1 Willamette credit (4 semester hours). (Calculus BC and Computer
Science BC tests with “5” grades will earn 8 semester
hours.) This credit may be applied toward general requirements
in language and Quantitative/Analytical Reasoning, and toward
meeting major/minor requirements, but will not be credited toward
the University’s Mode of Inquiry requirements. If you have
AP scores of 4 or 5 but have NOT heard from the Registrar's Office
by July 27, or if you have any questions about information you
have received from the Registrar, you may contact them by telephone
at 503‑370‑6206 or by email at registrar@willamette.edu.
Students who have taken International Baccalaureate Higher Level
Examinations and scored 5, 6, or 7 are also eligible for credit
at Willamette. Students receiving scores of 5 on IB examinations
will receive 1 Willamette credit for each examination, while
a score of 6 or 7 will generate 2 Willamette credits. Students
who graduate from high school with the full IB diploma and a
score of 30 or higher will also receive 1 Willamette credit in
the category of Theory of Knowledge. Students with IB Higher
Level Examination scores of 5, 6, or 7 should also contact the
Registrar at the above number to determine their placement. IB
credit may be applied toward general requirements in language
and Quantitative/Analytical Reasoning, and toward meeting major/minor
requirements, but will not be credited toward the University’s
Mode of Inquiry requirements.
Policy on College Credit Earned
Prior to Secondary School Graduation
College credits earned prior to secondary school graduation may
transfer to Willamette University only if the credits are earned
in regularly scheduled college classes taught on a college campus
by college professors to classes of primarily degree-seeking
college students. Such courses must be more advanced in the discipline
than courses normally offered at the secondary school. In order
to be eligible for transfer, the college courses must be described
in the college catalog. College credit is not awarded for college
courses taught at the secondary school.
Secondary school students who take college courses that are
replacements for courses available in their secondary school
are considered to be doing their college preparatory work outside
the secondary school curriculum, rather than accumulating credit
toward the baccalaureate degree. Therefore, introductory courses
taken at a college instead of a secondary school are viewed as
college preparatory and do not apply toward the baccalaureate
degree to be earned at Willamette University. Credits that apply
to the secondary school diploma cannot be applied a second time
to the baccalaureate degree.
However, secondary school students who have completed a course
offered at their secondary school and who go on to do more advanced
study in that subject at a college may earn baccalaureate transfer
credit if their secondary school does not offer more advanced
course(s). Willamette University does affirm the value and college
credit availability for Advanced Placement (AP) and International
Baccalaureate (IB) courses in which high scores are earned. A
minimum score of 4 is required on the AP examination and 5 on
the Higher-Level IB examinations. No college credit is granted
for the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Advanced
Placement and International Baccalaureate scores do not fulfill
Mode of Inquiry requirements.
College credits earned prior to secondary school graduation
that do not fall under the above specific policies are evaluated
on a case-by-case basis. Secondary school students planning to
enroll at Willamette University should consult the Office of
Admission before enrolling in college courses. Under no circumstances
will more that eight (8) Willamette credits (the equivalent of
32 semester or 48 quarter credit hours) be granted for credit
completed prior to secondary school graduation (including both
AP and IB credit).
Health Sciences Advising
Willamette University is committed to providing up-to-date information
about health professions for its students, from admission requirements
and suggested course schedules to professional organizations
and volunteer opportunities. It is suggested that first-year
students consider taking the following courses in addition
to the required College Colloquium course:
Fall - Chemistry 115, foreign language,
Calculus I. A Pre-Med informational meeting will take place during
the first week of classes. For more information online,
see: http://www.willamette.edu/cla/premed
Spring - Chemistry 116, Biology 125
or 130, and two additional courses (MOI, elective, etc.).
Co-Curricular Activities
There are many opportunities for involvement and activity outside
of the classroom at Willamette. You will have a chance to become
acquainted with some of these opportunities during Opening
Days. It is important to become involved without becoming overloaded.
As you plan your academic schedule now and in the semesters
to come, remember to provide time for co-curricular involvement,
from which you develop leadership skills. You might wish to
write for the student newspaper (The Collegian), or
work for the literary magazine (Chrysalis), or the
yearbook (Wallulah). The Community Outreach Program,
positions in student government (ASWU), campus governance
committees, intramural athletics, service clubs, etc., are
among the myriad activities available at Willamette that can
enhance your core academic schedule. Information about these
activities can be found in the Office of Student Activities
website at http://www.willamette.edu/dept/osa/
