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frequently
asked questions
QUESTIONS
General
Information
What is LS&A? Your
student is enrolled in the College of Literature, Science, &
the Arts (LS&A), the largest of the University of Michigan's
schools and colleges with over 15,522 undergraduates (Fall
1999 enrollment). Other schools, colleges, and academic units
with undergraduate programs on the Ann Arbor campus are Architecture
& Urban Planning, Art & Design, Business, Dentistry,
Education, Engineering, Kinesiology, Music, Natural Resources
& Environment, Nursing, and Pharmacy.
What does a liberal arts degree offer?
Many students and parents today are understandably concerned
about the job market. We encourage students to focus on "education"
as opposed to "job training." A liberal arts and sciences
college provides a broad education, and today's employers and
professional schools are seeking individuals who are well rounded,
well read, and who know how to communicate effectively, both
in writing and speaking. LS&A provides all of the above qualities,
and develops critical thinking skills that will serve individuals
well in all walks of life.
LS&A is a large school within
a huge university. What does my student need to know about attending
such a large place? At a large university, students
must take more initiative and responsibility than may be required
at some smaller schools. Students must seek help and information
when it is needed and make an effort to get to know their instructors
and other UM staff who can be of service. The LS&A Advising
Center helps students learn how to get the information and services
they need. Students should also remember that, as a large university,
UM offers many resources and opportunities, such as world-renowned
faculty and researchers, a library system that includes over
35 specialty libraries, and the opportunity to take classes and
pursue degrees in more than a dozen schools and colleges.
How can my student make this big
place seem smaller? One of the best ways to do this
is to make connections with people. Students should see their
academic advisor early and often to discuss options and work
on short- and long-term degree planning. They should get to know
instructorsasking questions and engaging them in conversations
about the material covered in class. Large lectures usually have
smaller discussion sections, and instructors have office hours
where students can meet with them one-on-one. Students may also
take advantage of the living/learning communities, in which students
with similar interests live and study in the same residence hall.
Finally, the First-Year Seminarsclasses that normally
have fewer than 25 students and are taught by senior faculty,
give students a chance to participate actively in discussion
with faculty and other students.
Courses
and Requirements
Can my student receive AP test credits
from high school? Depending on the test results, your
student may receive college credit. During Orientation, academic
advisors will go over the guidelines for granting of credit and
course placement for acceptable achievement on Advanced Placement
Program examinations.
http://www.admissions.umich.edu/apguidelines.html
My student is thinking about taking
college credits over the summer before school starts. Is this
possible? Some students choose to take summer courses
before they arrive on campus. All students should check with
the Office of Undergraduate Admissions or the LS&A Advising
Center to make sure that transfer credit will be given for courses
elected at other colleges and universities.
Can my student take courses for credit
in other schools and colleges on the Ann Arbor campus, such as
the School of Music? Yes, students in LS&A can
take a limited number of credits in another school or college
on campus, provided they meet the prerequisites for those courses.
We encourage students to take advantage of the wonderful opportunities
afforded them through other units on campus. Students should
talk with their academic advisor about exploring this option.
What is a concentration?
"Concentration" is the term our College uses to label
the academic fields of study in which students may pursue a Bachelor
of Arts (AB) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree (often referred
to as majors rather than concentrations). Most concentrations
require 28-32 credits. (See page 9 for a list of concentrations.)
Is there an Honors Program and how
can students get in? Students are admitted into the
Honors Program by invitation of the Director, though inquiries
are welcomed from any highly motivated student. Approximately
12% of highly qualified incoming first-year students are invited
into the program, and continuance is based on academic accomplishment.
Contact the Honors Program in 1228 Angell Hall for more information.
Why all these requirements?
The purpose of degree requirements is to ensure that all
students have a broad range of conceptual skills and knowledge
which will help them in both their professional and personal
lives. Each requirement involves a different type of reasoning
and different factual knowledge, all of which help produce students
who are well informed, well rounded, and have the thinking skills
to attack and solve a wide variety of problems.
Should students try to get their
requirements "out of the way?" No. While
students should not put off requirements until their final semester
senior year, it is best not to perceive LS&A requirements
simply as a series of hoops through which they must quickly jump.
There is so much flexibility and variety in the ways that students
can meet their LS&A requirements that they should always
be able to choose courses that interest them rather than courses
that merely meet a particular requirement. For example, to meet
the College's Race & Ethnicity requirement, a student could
take a Sociology course on Investigating Social and Demographic
Change in America. Alternatively, one could take courses
in the natural sciences that examine "race" as a scientific
concept. There are so many choices and such a variety of connections
a student can draw among course elections that an on-going dialogue
with the student's general academic advisor will help not only
make sure that requirements are filled but also assure that the
student has put together a "package" of courses and
experiences which reflect a broad, but coherent education.
http://www.lsa.umich.edu/saa/transfer/admissions
Academic
Resources and Academic Success
How big are the classes here at U-M?
How are they different from high school classes? Many
first-year classes are relatively small (18-30 students). In
general, UM classes range in size from hundreds of students in
a large lecture to 10 or 20 students in a seminar. UM courses
are much more intense than high school coursesmore material is
covered in a shorter amount of time, and students are expected
to work much harder, both in and outside of class, than is usually
assumed in high school. In addition, a broader range of thinking
skills is required. Students are expected to be able to analyze,
synthesize, and apply information, not just memorize it. Students
must take the initiative to seek out help if they are experiencing
difficulties.
What is a credit? Each
course in the College of LS&A is assigned one or more credits
which roughly approximate the number of hours the class meets
each week in discussion, recitation, or lecture. Students need
120 credits to graduate.
How many credits does it take to
be full-time? For the fall and winter terms, a student
must be enrolled for at least twelve (12) credits to be a full-time
student. (Up to 18 credits may be elected without special permission;
most students take between 14 and 16 credits per term.) For spring
and summer half-terms, students must be enrolled for six (6)
credits to be considered full-time. Our College, however, does
not require full-time enrollment. You may want to double-check
with your student about term credit loads if this is important
for your insurance coverage or financial aid. Students and parents
may want to check with Office of Financial Aid and their insurance
providers about requirements for fulltime enrollment.
How much time will my student spend
studying and going to class each week? While each
student is different, they should plan on devoting three hours
outside of class for every hour spent in class each week. For
a full-time student, the time commitment may range from 40 to
50 hours per week.
Are there any tutoring resources
available? The first step is to talk to the instructor
or the professor. Many departments have programs to help students
better understand the course material. Tutoring services are
offerred at:
- Sweetland Writing Center,
- Engineering Honor Society,
- Science Learning Lab,
- Language Resource Center,
- Physics Help Room,
- Math Lab, and
- through individual departments.
More information is available at:
http://www.lsa.umich.edu/saa/tutors/
What if my student gets sick and
has to come home? The health of individual students
is of the utmost importance. Unfortunately, students do get sick.
The first thing sick students should do is visit University Health
Service or their family physician. The University is sympathetic
and responsive to the needs of a student who unexpectedly becomes
ill. If necessary, an ill student can withdraw from his or her
courses with the understanding and hope that the student will
continue his or her college education when again able. If a student
must leave the University due to illness, the student or parent
should notify the Academic Advising Center to discuss possible
options. Because tuition refunds are limited or non-existent
after certain points in the term, it is advisable to consider
all possible options to salvage as much of the term's work as
possible.
Advising
How are academic advisors assigned?
Academic Advisors are assigned during orientation,
usually on a random basis. Each residence hall, however, has
an "in-house" advisor from the Advising Center's professional
staff; when possible, we try to match students with the advisor
who will be working in their residence hall. There are many academic
advisors, and students may meet with any of the staff with whom
they develop an easy rapport.
Will my student always see the same
academic advisor? Students are encouraged to continue
meeting with the academic advisor with whom they met during Orientation.
They may, however, request to meet with any academic advisor
they choose. Part of our goal is to foster an ongoing conversation
between students and advisors. The objective of this continuing
conversation is to help students set and achieve realistic academic
and life goals.
How can my student get an advising
appointment? There are
a number of ways for students to get in touch with their academic
advisor. To make an appointment students need to either call
(734) 764-0332 or visit the Academic Advising Center (1255 Angell
Hall) in person, or they may e-mail their academic advisor. During
certain periods of the term the Advising Center has walk-in times
available and extended evening hours.
How can my student get a quick question
answered from an advisor? Throughout
the academic term there is an academic advisor assigned to answer
"Quick Questions" for students. If the "Quick
Question" advisor believes a longer appointment is necessary,
the student can proceed to the reception desk to make an appointment.
Are academic advisors available in
the residence halls? Yes. LS&A academic advisors
hold weekly hours in each of the residence halls. Many advisors
are available during mealtimes and during evening hours. Students
do not need appointments. Students should check with the front
desk in their residence hall for advisors' locations and office
hours.
Can my student get answers to advising
questions without coming in to the LS&A Advising Center? Yes, students may speak with an academic
advisor in the residence hall, use e-mail to contact his/her
advisor, or e-mail: ask.LSA.advising@umich.edu
.
Students can also find helpful information on the LS&A
Student Academic Affairs web page at:
http://www.lsa.umich.edu/saa/
While useful, it is important to realize that this means of
communication does not replace regular face to face meetings
with an advisor.
Is there anyone I can talk to here
about how my student is doing? It is important for
you to establish an ongoing conversation with your student about
the transition to university and academic progress. Advisors
will be happy to speak with you about the academic programs here
and to answer any questions you might have about program options.
Once a student matriculates, however, any records or data collected
in the academic file are confidential (including course selection
and grades) and cannot be shared with anyone other than the student
without the student's written permission. For questions concerning
the requirements, rules, and procedures of our College, you should
feel free to call the Academic Advising Center at (734) 764-0332
or send an e-mail message to: parents.ask.lsaadvising@umich.edu
.
Preparation
for Professional School
My student wants to transfer to the
Business School, the School of Education, or the A. Alfred Taubman
College of Architecture & Urban Planning for his or her undergraduate
degree. Why do students spend their first two years in LS&A?
The Business School, School of Education, and A. Alfred Taubman
College of Architecture & Urban Planning value the skills
developed through a liberal arts education. Whether a student
decides to specialize in an LS&A concentration (such as Physics
or Political Science) or to receive a professional degree (BBA,
B.S.Arch., A.B.Ed.), a liberal arts and sciences background ensures
that they will be good communicators, flexible thinkers and creative
problem-solvers.
The undergraduate business degree at the University of Michigan
is a two-year program (junior and senior year). Students interested
in this program spend their first two years in LS&A and then
apply to the Business School.
All advisors in the Advising Center are equipped to explain
the prerequisites needed to transfer to other schools and colleges.
At the University, students should consult with their advisor
early on to begin their academic planning and to discuss possible
alternatives.
What classes should pre-business
students take first term? The prerequisites for admission
to the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program are
Calculus I, Introduction to Microeconomics, Introduction to Macroeconomics,
College Writing, and Accounting 271. At the time of admission,
students must have made good progress toward distribution in
three of four areas: language, natural sciences, social sciences,
and humanities. To enter the BBA program, students must have
earned at least 55 credits by the Fall Term of their junior year.
The LS&A Advising Center recommends that pre-business
students take Calculus (or pre-Calculus) their first term to
provide a solid foundation for future coursework in Economics.
We also suggest that students take College Writing as early in
their academic career as possible. In addition to Calculus and
College Writing, students usually take a language and either
a distribution or elective course. Because there are only five
prerequisite courses, students may comfortably pace themselves
and have some flexibility in their choice of coursework.
What classes should pre-law students
take first term? Our pre-law advisor recommends that
students take College Writing early in their academic careers
so that they may take advantage of the many writing courses offered
at the University. There is no preferred pre-law concentration;
a student should elect a concentration which will be both challenging
and enjoyable. The ABA states "The law is too multifaceted,
and the human mind too adaptable, to permit a linear approach
to preparing for law school or the practice of law." Students
might include courses that develop their analytical and argumentative
skills and expose legal issues and concerns.
What classes should pre-health students
take first term? Preparing for the health professions
is a long-term process. Pre-health students should work closely
with pre-health advisors in choosingand pacingtheir course work.
Most pre-health students start with general or organic chemistry
and/or calculus or pre-calculus (depending on the placement exams
they take during Orientation). Since new students have not yet
taken a lab course at UM, we recommend that they start with one
lab science rather than two. Some students will choose to start
out with calculus or chemistry rather than both. The University
has no pre-health concentration. While many pre-health students
concentrate in Biology or Chemistry, many others choose to concentrate
in non-science disciplines such as Psychology or Philosophy.
Medical and other health-related schools do not require a science
concentration; however, a student who is serious about health
professions must perform well in the sciences, not just at a
marginal level.
http://www.lsa.umich.edu/prehealth/
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