Freshman Student Advising Session

Mechanical Engineering Department

Kate Gleason College of Engineering

Rochester Institute of Technology

Summary – Five Week Status• If you are having trouble this quarter

– Academic Assistance Resources– Course Withdraw Procedure – Institute Withdraw Procedure

• Winter Course Selection– Winter Course Options– Procedure– Student Information System– SIS AAR and ME Degree Audit System– Liberal Arts worksheet– Your Degree Completion Checklist– Planning your course schedule for winter

If you are having trouble with a course this quarter…

• Take advantage of the academic assistance resources that are available to you.

• Work in a study group to get a different perspective on your homework.

• Use time management skills to budget your time and re-examine your priorities.

• Spend more time studying.• If all else fails, and you are quite certain of a

failing grade, then, and only then, consider withdrawing from the course.

Academic Assistance Resources

• Faculty – Course Instructor• Faculty – Academic Advisor• Engineering Learning Center• Math Lab• Physics Lab (Spring Quarter)• Academic Support Center (Eastman Bldg)• Counseling Center (Student Life Center)

Course Withdraw Procedures• Discuss your situation with the Course Instructor. If they agree,

ask them to fill a W form.• Discuss your situation with your Academic Advisor. If they agree,

ask them to fill a W form.• Schedule a 15 minute appointment with Dr. Nye, to explain your

reasoning, and your plan for catching up on your course work.• If all advisors agree, then Diane will withdraw you from the class.• DO NOT USE “W” AS A CRUTCH. USE THIS TOOL

SPARINGLY DURING YOUR CAREER!• “W” will appear on your permanent transcript.

DEADLINE IS APPROACHING FAST. MUST BE DONE BY THE END OF WEEK SIX!!!

Institute Withdraw Procedures• Discuss your situation with your Academic Advisor. If they agree,

ask them to help you fill out an INSTITUTE WITHDRAW form.• Only used in rare cases of illness or family emergency, etc. Not

to be used to a series of bad grades in a quarter, and may not be approved for such.

• Results in a “W” grade for ALL courses in the quarter.• Implications regarding re-entry into RIT.• May be completed up to the 8th week of the quarter, with

documented extenuating circumstances.• There may be significant implications on your financial aid. Be

sure to meet with your financial aid advisor in addition to your academic advisor and the Associate Department Head of ME.

• “W’s” will appear on your permanent transcript.

Winter Registration Procedures• Study the First Year Choices and your ME Handbook to plan your next

courses for winter quarter• Meet with the liberal arts advising office to discuss possible core and

focus areas• Use the On-line SIS system to learn what classes are available, and

when• Prepare a preliminary schedule of classes• Bring your proposed schedule of classes to a 15 minute meeting with

your academic advisor• Come prepared with specific questions you would like to have

answered• After advising, request your advisor to remove the Dean’s hold on your

account by notifying the ME Office• After the hold is removed, you may use SIS to sign up for classes when

it is your turn.• Update your degree completion checklist every quarter!

First Year ChoicesPlanning for Winter QuarterFall Quarter Winter Quarter Spring Quarter

Freshman Seminar Freshman Seminar

Materials Processing Engineering Design Graphics

Physics I and Lab

Chemistry I Chem. Of Materials / Lab

Problem Solving / Computers

Calculus I Calculus II Calculus III

Liberal Arts Liberal Arts Liberal Arts

First Year Enrichment

First Year Enrichment

Phys Ed

Daily Schedule PlanningTime Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

8 am Math Math Math Math

9 am Math Math

10 am Mech Eng

Mech Eng

Mech Eng11am

12 pm Fr Sem

1 pm Activity

2 pm Chem Chem Chem Chem

3 pm Lib Arts Lib Arts Lib Arts Lib Arts

4 pm

5 pm FYE

Repeat of Grade Form• Make sure your SIS

AAR indicates “Re” for each repeated course

• Failure to file a Repeat of Grade form may adversely impact your GPA!

• Do not wait until the last quarter! File these earlier to make sure the proper GPA computation appears on interview transcripts!

Remember to fill out a repeat of grade form if youdecide to take a class over in winter quarter.

Your Degree Completion Checklist

• You should monitor your OWN checklist to plan towards graduation• These are available in your student handbook and in the ME Office• Do not wait until your last quarter to resolve discrepancies!

Liberal Arts Worksheet• Start working on

your liberal arts worksheet now!

• You must satisfy both the CORE and CONCENTRATION Requirements!

• Your Liberal Arts Worksheet needs to be approved by Liberal Arts Office of Academic Advising, not by Mechanical Engineering!

Academic Advising Report• You can print a

copy of your personal AAR through the Student Information System at any time.

• Use the AAR to confirm progress towards your degree, and credit for all activities including transfer, AP, co-op, course repeats, etc.

ME Degree Audit System

• Diane prepares the ME Degree Audit checklist to show outstanding courses needed for degree completion

• Bring any discrepancies between the AAR and the ME-DAS to Diane’s attention.

• Compare ME-DAS and AAR to your personal records!