How can I help support my student?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

In what school or college is my student enrolled?

Your student is enrolled in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LS&A). LS&A is the largest of the University of Michigan's schools and colleges with over 15,206 undergraduates (Fall 1997 enrollment). The other schools, colleges, and academic units with undergraduate programs here on the Ann Arbor campus are Architecture and Urban Planning, Art and Design, Business, Dentistry, Education, Engineering, Kinesiology, Music, Natural Resources and Environment, Nursing, and Pharmacy.

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 which 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 term and winter term, 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 the spring and summer half-terms, students must be enrolled for six (6) credits to be full-time. You may want to double-check with your student about term credit loads if this is important for your insurance coverage or financial aid.

How much time will my student spend studying and going to class each week?

Each student is different, but our experience and data indicate that for students to do well at Michigan, 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 48 hours to 60 or more hours per week.

Will my student always see the same academic advisor?

Students are encouraged to continue to meet with the academic advisor with whom they met during Orientation. They may, however, request to meet with any academic advisor they choose.

How can my student get an advising appointment?

There are a number of ways for your student to get in touch with her/his academic advisor. Students may call 764-0332 (persistently) to make an advising appointment, or they may e-mail their academic advisor. During certain periods of the term our office has walk-in times available and extended evening hours. Those times are posted.

How can my student get a quick question answered from an advisor?

During peak periods of the term, the LS&A Advising Center has advisors available to answer quick questions for students. If the "Quick Question" advisor thinks that the student needs a longer appointment, 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 are available during posted hours each week in each of the residence halls. Many advisors are there over 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, your student may speak with an academic advisor in the residence hall, use e-mail to contact his/her advisor, or e-mail: ask.LSA.advisor@umich.edu. Stu
dents can also find helpful information on the LS&A Student Academic Affairs web page at http://www.lsa.umich.edu/saa/

How will I know how my student is doing?

You must ask your student. With rare exception, grades are seldom a surprise. Your student's grades are sent to the local address at the end of the fall term, and are sent to the permanent address at the end of the winter term. Information in a student's record can be divulged to the student's parents or guardian only with the permission of the student.

Are there any tutoring resources available if my student starts having academic difficulty?

Students who are experiencing difficulty should first speak with their instructors and then with an academic advisor. Many issues can be addressed when met in a timely manner. The academic advisor can suggest resources to aid students or direct them to other units such as the Math Lab, the Science Learning Center, and the Language Resource Center. Many resources are listed on pages 10 and 11.

How does my student drop a class?

For the first three weeks of the fall or winter terms, students may drop or add courses using a touch-tone phone and following the directions found in the front section of the Time Schedule. After that deadline, students need to come into the LS&A Advising Center for forms and instructions from the Advising Center staff and then get their instructor's signature. After the ninth week of the term, students who wish to drop a course need to petition and must show evidence that extenuating circumstances, beyond their control, occurred after the ninth week deadline. Students are always encouraged to speak with an academic advisor to discuss the implications of dropping a class.

My student should be in Honors. How can he/she get in?

Students are admitted into the Honors Program by invitation of the Director, though inquiries are welcomed from any highly motivated student. Approximately 10% of incoming first-year students are invited into the program, but continuance is based on academic accomplishment.

You may contact the Honors Program in 1228 Angell Hall for more information.

How can my student use AP test credits from high school?

Depending on your student's test results, he/she may receive college credit. During Orientation, academic advisors will go over the guidelines for granting of credit and course placement for acceptable achievement on the Advanced Placement Program examinations.

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 either 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 classes for credit in other schools and colleges on the Ann Arbor campus, such as the School of Music?

Yes, students in the College of LS&A can take a limited number of credits in another school or college on campus, provided they meet the prerequisites for the courses. We encourage students to take advantage of the wonderful opportunities afforded them through the other units on campus. Students might need to talk with an academic advisor about exploring this option.

What is a concentration?

"Concentration" is the term the college uses to label the academic fields of study in which students may pursue a Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree (Other universities refer to these as majors rather than concentrations.). Most concentrations require from 28 to 32 credits. (See page 5 for a list of concentrations.) Although some students pursue two concentrations, there are no minors in LS&A.