Find answers for many of your questions here!
Getting Ready for Orientation
Q. How will I know what courses to take?
A. Freshmen should complete the College Homework section in IStart. After filling out the information, you will receive a list of courses you should take during the fall semester.
You can also find a complete list of courses for your major in the Programs of Study. Transfer students will receive a degree audit report (DARS/DARwin) at their College Meeting during orientation. The report will allow you to see how courses already completed apply to your U of I degree and identify courses still needed.
Q. How long will the advising appointment take? A. The actual advising and registration process typically takes about 2 hours.
Q. What happens if I can't get in to a required class? A. You are guaranteed space in your required major courses, though no guarantees are made that you will be able to register the exact day and time you desire.
No guarantee is made that you will get the exact general education class you desire. However, you will be able to register in some general education course. You may have to compromise on days and times. Keep in mind you will be able to revise your schedule during the first two weeks of the semester. So if what you want is not available at Orientation, you may be able to enroll in it later on.
Q. Who will help me register for classes? A. One or two faculty or staff advisors and an IStart student leader will be available to help you at Summer Orientation.
Q. Will my parents be able to help me register for classes? A. The computer labs where registration will take place are too small to allow parents to attend. You will not be left to register alone – advisors and upper classmen will be present to help answer questions about appropriate classes and navigating the computer registration system.
Q. How do I arrange for special accommodations for my disability during registration? A. Students having a documented disability who wish to request disability-related accommodations should contact the Division of Rehabilitation-Education Services at 217-333-1970 (TDD: 217-333-46030).
After Orientation
Q. How do I audition for School of Music ensembles? A. The School of Music has extensive information about auditions at their website http://www.music.uiuc.edu/admissionsFAQs.php
Q. Is it difficult to change my schedule after summer orientation is over? A.You will be allowed to add classes for a two week period once the semester starts.
Q. What do I do if I change my mind about the classes I’ve signed up for at orientation and decide I want to take something different? A. You must remain in the courses required for your degree. However, you are allowed to make changes in general education and elective classes. You may add new classes during the first two weeks of the semester. You are encouraged to speak with an advisor before making any changes to your schedule.
Q. I just received my AP scores. How do I find out if I receive credit for classes? A. Cutoff scores for receiving AP credit are at http://www.cte.uiuc.edu/dme/placement/AP2006.htm.
Q. I just received my AP scores. What do I do if I need to change my schedule? A. If you received credit for a class you enrolled in during orientation (for example, you received credit for MATH 220 and you signed up for MATH 220) you will be able to drop the math course and sign up for a different class during the first two weeks of school in August. You should make an appointment to talk to your advisor when you return in August.
Q. I'm worried I won't have the right books, software, and other equipment I need for my classes. A. The textbook and art stores on campus have lists of the needed books and supplies for each course. These lists are provided by the instructor of each class.
Additional information about supplies and books is often provided on a syllabus, given out by the instructor the first day of class. Instructors do not assume every student in class will have the proper material on the very first day of class. They do expect students to get the needed materials within the first couple of days after class starts.
Q. What kind of computer should I buy? A. Go to http://www.faa.uiuc.edu/about_faa/new_computer_rec.html to see general recommendations for all students and specific recommendations for students in Architecture and Art + Design.
Q. I am not familiar with AutoCAD/haven't had training in AutoCAD and am worried I won't have the skills necessary to succeed? A. Instructors do not assume students have had training in AutoCAD. You will have the opportunity to learn the program through your classes.
Campus Life
Q. How can I get a job on campus? A. The Office of Student Financial Aid maintains a virtual job board and University Housing posts information about jobs.
Q. I’m really worried about finding my classes and meeting new people. A. One of the many activities that occur during fall orientation is familiarization with campus. Many of the Residence Hall Resident Advisors take their students to classrooms on campus and make sure their students are able to get to where they need to go.
In august each residence hall will have get acquainted activities, designed to help students adjust to their new lives and meet other freshmen. On Monday, August 21 at 2:30 p.m. in Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, the College of Fine and Applied Arts will host a welcome party. All new students are invited to attend to meet one another, to meet upperclassmen and to explore some of the student organizations available in the College.
Additionally, because of the intimate nature of instruction in FAA programs, freshmen will meet other new students in their major during the first week of school. Many of the unitswill also provide an opportunity to meet upperclassmen and faculty.
Q. I’m worried about being away from my home, family, friends and just getting around on campus. It seems really big. A. The campus is large, but the College of Fine and Applied Arts and the programs within it are relatively small. The campus will start to seem more comfortable quickly.
Majors & Programs
Q. Can I get two degrees? A. Students frequently pursue two degrees in similar programs, i.e., Art History and Art Education, or Music Vocal Performance and Music Education. It is not common, or easy, to pursue two degrees in different programs, i.e., Landscape Architecture and Psychology or Painting and Dance.
Students interested in pursuing a second degree in LAS must follow LAS policy and procedures which can be found at http://www.las.uiuc.edu/students/Admission/seconddegree.html. They should make an appointment early in the fall semester with one of the Associate Deans in FAA to start to fill out the necessary paperwork.
Q. Can I get my degree in four years? A. All of the degree programs in FAA can be finished in four years if you
- follow the sequence of courses exactly as outlined in the Programs of Study, and
- * do not experiment or vary the schedule at all.
It is more likely you will take 8 semesters plus summer school, either in Urbana or a junior college near home, or 9 semesters to graduate.
Q. My parents don't think I can get a job with an art (music/dance/ theatre) degree. Can you help? A. The College maintains a Career Services Office with online resources and an arts careers library. Please feel free to schedule an appointment with Michele Plante, the Career Services Coordinator to discuss what career is right for you and how to get started.
Teacher Education Programs
Q. Can student teaching be done in the Chicago area? A. Yes, however there are a limited number of student teaching placements available in Chicago. Most placements are in communities within a 50-mile radius of Champaign-Urbana.
Q. How do I apply to a teacher education program in FAA? A. FAA has two Education programs, Art Education and Music Education. The admission process is slightly different in the two programs. However in both programs students must pass the Illinois Test of Basic Skills test prior to enrollment in early field experience courses. Information on the test is available at http://www.icts.nesinc.com/.
Art Education: Apply to the program during March of your second semester on campus through interviews and submission of portfolios. A list of successful applicants is sent to the College office. Students who have passed the Illinois Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) will be admitted to the program and start coursework during their third semester on campus.
Music Education: Students are admitted, as freshmen, into the non-certification track of the Music Education program. They must pass the ITBS prior to being admitted to the certification track. Students who have not entered the certification track will not be allowed into early field experience courses normally taken during the third semester on campus.
Q. Will a graduate of a teacher education program at UIUC automatically be certified to teach in Illinois? A. No.The State of Illinois requirements for certification are more stringent than those for receiving the Bachelor's degree. Consequently it is possible, though not common, for students to graduate with a BFA or BME without meeting all of the requirements for teacher certification in the State of Illinois.
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