Transcript Slide 1

Announcements
Please silence cell phones
Please remain seated for
the entire presentation
1
Welcome to
General Academic Programs’
College Meeting –
Our goal is to help students Prepare to Declare.
Hotard Hall
Dr. Kriss Boyd
Executive Director
2
Freshman Survey
Have your students complete the
Freshman Survey!
3
Come on in…
Hotard Hall
4
Purpose of the
University Experience
• To better understand the world
• To learn to accomplish complicated
tasks
• To develop the ability to function as
a self - sufficient adult
• To prepare to be a lifelong learner
5
Let’s Partner for Success
• As Joe T. Aggie, Sr., you are contributing to
the Joe T. Aggie, Jr. scholarship.
• Students have to maintain grades to keep
scholarships.
• The best preparation for your student is to
make your expectations clear.
6
Let’s Partner for Success
• The transition to college means a student will and
should have more freedom and privacy. We know it
is tough to let go.
• You can sign up for a GEST parent list-serve to
receive timely information and reminders.
• If students run into difficulties, some of the freedom
and privacy should be curtailed.
7
Let’s Partner for Success
• Students who have less than 30 TAMU hours and
students on probation have official midterm grades
posted.
• Midterms are posted about October 10 and March
10.
• Your student has to set it up in Compass so you can
see grades.
8
Let’s Partner for Success
• Federal Educational Rights to Privacy Act Unless you and your student sign and submit
the Certification of Dependency Form, we
cannot talk to you about your student.
• It is better to do this now rather than later.
Freshmen who have difficulty often try to withhold
information from parents as long as possible.
9
High School vs. College
Students are hearing…
• In College, students
are expected to take
initiative in learning
and in communicating
any need for help from
University Faculty and
Staff
Read full article on the General Studies website: “How
College is different from High School”
10
Your Student Is Not Alone!
•Some GEST majors know exactly what major
they want. Students in the majors may think they
do, also.
•65-85% of all college students change
their major during their academic
career!
11
What
is
General Studies?
12
Our Goal
To help students
PREPARE TO DECLARE . . .
• Maximize student’s options through
careful course selection
• Allow students to graduate without
taking excessive hours
13
G P S
GEST academic advisors have:
Global knowledge of Texas A&M University
(Student Counseling Service, Scholarships & Financial Aid,
Support Services for Students with Disabilities)
Positioning students to change their major
(Change of Curriculum Requirements, Degree Plans)
Systems to help students succeed
(Processes, Referrals)
14
G P S
Add value to the TAMU experience:
Global knowledge of other cultures – Do a study abroad.
Financial aid can help.
Practical training through internships and coops.
Service to other students and the community
15
University Structure
UNIVERSITY
Texas A&M University
COLLEGE
College of
Agriculture & Life Science
DEPARTMENT
Dept. of Biochemistry
and Biophysics
MAJOR
Genetics
16
Colleges
Agriculture &
Life Sciences
Architecture
General Academics
Engineering
Texas
Geosciences
A&M
Business
Education &
Human
Development
University
Liberal Arts
Science
Veterinary Medicine
17
University Studies Curriculum
Hours
Component
43-45
TAMU Core Curriculum Courses
21-24
Concentration
30-36
Two Minors
15-26
Electives or prerequisite requirements
120
Total hrs required for University Studies Degrees
unst.tamu.edu
18
General Studies (GEST) website
http://gest.tamu.edu
Important Notice Area
19
Tips For Academic Success
Encourage them to join the Aggie Network
• AGGIES HELP AGGIES, but they have to ask
for help.
• Stop by and talk to faculty during office hours
early in the semester.
• Meet with academic advisor after first
round of exams when there are no waiting
lines.
• DO NOT STOP ATTENDING A CLASS
WITHOUT TALKING TO AN ADVISOR.
20
Tips For Academic Success
Encourage them to join the Aggie Network
– AGGIES HELP AGGIES, but they have to
ask for help.
– Students must quickly learn to balance:
Classes and studying = 30-40 hours/week
Extra Curricular – 1 or 2 things this fall
Employment – 15 hours max in BCS this
fall
21
Tips For Academic Success
Encourage them to join the Aggie Network
– Importance of First Semester Grades
1.75 + 2.0 + 2.5 + 3.25 = 2.37
– This student is not prepared to declare half of
the majors at TAMU. The student will run out
of time in General Studies and have to
declare a second-choice or third-choice
major.
22
Tips For Academic Success
Encourage them to join the Aggie Network
– First Year Grade Exclusion – The grade does
not go into the GPR, but it is visible on the
transcript and other schools may count it.
– Freshmen can exclude up to 3 D’s and F’s that were
posted during their first calendar year.
– Students should not exclude a D until after the first
calendar year.
23
Tips For Academic Success
Encourage them to join the Aggie Network
– Q-drop – Deadline is the 50th class day --- around
November 1 and April 2. The deadline is FIRM!!!
– A Q is posted rather than a grade on the transcript.
– Students are allowed 3 Q-drops. One-hour classes
don’t count.
– State law limits students to 6 drops, and one-hour
classes do count.
24
Tips For Academic Success
Encourage them to join the Aggie Network
– Freshmen are too optimistic when they run into
trouble, and parents not fully aware.
– The student’s academic advisor can provide the best
advice about whether to Q-drop a class or exclude a
grade. There are pros and cons to Q’s and FYGE’s.
– The student is responsible for making the decision.
– If a student is planning for medical, law, or graduate
school, the Q-drop may be the best option.
25
Cost of an Extra Semester
Tuition & fees:
Books & supplies:
Room & Board:
Lost salary
TOTAL:
$ 4, 207
$ 675
$ 4,004
$14,000+
$22,886*
Graduating on
Time:
PRICELESS!
* $22,886 @ 5% X 25 years =
$77,500
26
Other Cost Issues
– Students who graduate with no more than 3
hours more than that required for the degree
receive a $1,000 rebate from TAMU.
– Students who accumulate 30+ hours above
the degree plan prior to graduating will be
charged non-resident tuition. $$$!!!
27
Freshmen with High Hours
– Freshmen who arrive at TAMU with 45+
concurrent enrollment/AP/IB/Credit by Exam
hours pose challenges. Many majors do not
allow students to change majors if they have
more than 60 or 75 hours.
28
Freshmen with High Hours
– PLEASE POST COMMUNITY COLLEGE
TRANSCRIPTS ASAP. We can’t post the
college credit from high school transcripts.
– We need each student to list college courses
for which they have or are likely to have credit
on their registration form TODAY. If you are not
sure, when you are home please check. Call an
advisor to make sure the schedule includes classes
that count.
29
Freshmen with High Hours
– Accommodation for Freshmen who arrive with
45+ hours:
1. Must complete at least 24 hours first two
semesters at TAMU.
2. Must meet GPA requirements for the desired
major.
3. Must meet course completion requirements
for the desired major.
30
Freshmen with High Hours
Strategies for Success if a student has a lot of
transfer credit:
– Understand that TAMU courses are a LOT
more rigorous and competitive than
community college or AP courses.
– Keep non-academic distractions to the bare
minimum the first two semesters. There will
be dire consequences if these students don’t
do well the first semester.
31
Fall Calendar
September
 at end of month first round of test
October
 Mid Term grades, may only include 1 test
November
 Qdrop and withdrawal deadline – no exceptions!!!
 Send care package, registration at end of month
December
 Finals – stressful time, be encouraging – Postpone
stressful news until AFTER finals.
32
General Studies Parent LISTSERV
Join our LISTSERV where you will receive
periodical information of interest about General
Studies in your email mailbox.
To join send an email to:
[email protected]
In the body of the message put SUBSCRIBE
gestparents firstname lastname
33
Gateway Overview
- What students can expect
 7 hours of coursework = summer fulltime
 Academic Support - STLC 289/SI/Tutoring
 Developmental opportunities – weekly group
meetings, guest speakers
 Social Events – BBQ, Pizza, Ice Cream Social
- How parents can help
- Listen, support, encourage
35
36