Students interested in some majors, academic programs, and co-curricular activities should take into account additional considerations when planning their schedules. These are commonly acknowledged as ' helpful advice', and help to ensure students can happily and successfully plan schedules to meet both their short-term and long-term goals. Please review these items carefully if you are interested in any of the following programs or activities.

Activities, Music, Ensembles and Lessons

Activity courses or ensemble participation can be carried in addition to a student's 12-16 credit academic load. Many of them, including varsity sports, require try-outs, auditions, or placement activities.

Intercollegiate Athletics

All athletic teams at Willamette schedule their main practices during the 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. time block. When there are competing demands for facilities, occasional adjustments to the practice schedule could result in evening practices for a few weeks. Weather permitting, the crew teams schedule practices at 6:00 a.m. If you participate in athletics, be sure to choose a schedule that will not conflict with athletic activities.

Because our student-athletes are as committed to their academic pursuits as they are to their sport(s), and because the time commitments for both are considerable, student-athletes can feel more tension than the average student trying to balance the competing demands for their time. One way to ease this tension is to choose your courses wisely. For example, taking science classes in the off-season, if possible, can ameliorate some potential time conflicts, since science labs tend to occur in the afternoons.

The faculty at Willamette are very supportive of the athletic programs and your advisor will help you plan a schedule which is sensitive to both your academic goals and your athletic aspirations. Be sure to identify yourself as a student-athlete when you first meet with your advisor.

Fall Sports: Fall sports begin practice the week before Opening Days. Football and cross country compete only on Saturdays. The rest of the sports, including golf, have games during the week. Soccer teams typically leave campus by 1:00 p.m. for an away game. For evening volleyball matches, the team generally leaves around 3:00 p.m. depending on location. Potential golfers should note that the competitive season is split into fall and spring, with tournament play held all day on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Spring Sports: Spring sports begin practice the first week of second semester and practice during the evenings until the weather allows them to go outside. Spring sports are weather dependent and will require maximum flexibility due to inclement weather and available daylight. The regular season begins in early March and concludes at the end of April/early May, coinciding with the end of the semester and the beginning of finals. It is typical for spring sports to leave campus between 12:00 Noon and 1:00 p.m. for away competitions.

To be academically eligible to compete, you must:

  • carry a minimum of 12 Willamette credits during the semester of your sport
  • complete/pass a minimum of 12 Willamette credits in your most recent semester at Willamette, or be eligible to compete if you were to return to your previous school
  • not be on academic probation

Music Ensembles

Music ensembles attract participation from a high percentage of Willamette students. While you won't have game days that might conflict with your academic schedule, you will have practices scheduled on a regular basis throughout each week, which will need to be balanced against the remainder of your academic schedule. The performances for music ensembles are generally in the evenings or on the weekends.

Placement in the appropriate music performing ensemble and at the correct levels for individual music lessons won't be confirmed until you have completed an audition. Music lessons are generally scheduled individually so that you can choose lesson times which won't be in conflict with the rest of your class schedule. The ensembles meet at specific times. If you are planning to participate in a music ensemble, you will be enrolled after the results of the music auditions are available.

Forensics

Students wanting to participate in individual speaking should register for CCM 101 (1), Public Speaking. Students preferring debate should register for IDS 062X (0.25), Intercollegiate Debate.

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.

Co-Curricular Activities

There are many opportunities for involvement and activity outside of the classroom at Willamette. 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.

Studying Abroad

Willamette offers a range of study abroad programs for you to engage in other cultures while making academic progress toward your degree.  There is one study abroad application deadline each year. The deadline is in the fall, usually late November. This deadline is for programs that begin in the following summer, fall, and spring semesters.  Early planning is key to meeting that deadline. For transfer students, this often means applying for study abroad during your first semester at Willamette.  Your academic advisor and a study abroad advisor in the Office of International Education can help you plan for this process. More details about study abroad programs and the application process can be found on the Office of International Education's website.

Willamette University

Transfer Student Advising Manual

Address
900 State Street
Salem Oregon 97301 U.S.A.
Phone
503-370-6300

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