Preparing for Your Advising Appointment

In order for your advising appointment to go smoothly, it is important that you are prepared when you come to Early Registration. When meeting with your advisor, you will be scheduling your classes for the fall. It is best to have a good idea of what courses are required, and what other courses interest you.

If you’re planning to double major, please look up the second major’s curriculum options  and be sure to discuss your plans to double major or minor with your advisor during Early Registration.

Tips for Building Your Schedule of Classes

Look over the Curriculum Guide for your major, as well as the Core Curriculum Guide. The Curriculum Guide will tell you the requirements of your major and academic college. Note that some courses will have prerequisites. The Core Curriculum Guide lays out the course requirements of all Butler students. You will be taking a mixture of your major courses, as well as Core classes in your first semester. Select several courses that interest you.

Use the Schedule of Classes for Fall 2008 and the course search function on our website to begin laying out your schedule. Keep in mind that you will need to enroll in at least 12 credit hours to be considered a full-time student. Plan out a possible schedule, being certain that your class times do not conflict with one another, a starting point for a conversation with your advisor. The course search function will be available beginning in Mid-March.

With the course search function, you can see if classes are near capacity or full. As more students register, some classes can reach capacity. Be prepared with multiple schedule options, just in case some of your first choice classes become full.

Most importantly, please remember that the schedule you generate is essentially a “wish list.” When you arrive at Early Registration, you will be given additional information that may help you make a more informed decision regarding your schedule. Ultimately, your advisor will be the final authority in approving your schedule of courses.

The Learning Resource Center will arrange your first meeting with an advisor during Early Registration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When will I first meet my advisor?
A: You will first meet with an advisor at your scheduled Early Registration date. This advisor will be from the college or department of your intended major. Once you arrive on campus for Welcome Week, you will be assigned a permanent advisor in your major. This may or may not be the same person that you met with at Early Registration.

Q: What happens when I meet with my advisor?
A: At Early Registration, you and your advisor will discuss your major requirements, as well as Core Curriculum requirements. Your advisor will then assist you in enrolling in your first semester courses.

Q: How do I know what classes to take in my first semester?
A: Begin by looking at the Curriculum Guide for your major. The Curriculum Guide will tell you what courses are required to complete your degree and in what sequence you should take them. Next, look over the Core Curriculum Guide to find out what other classes will be required of you at Butler. For instance, all students at Butler will take a Freshman Writing Seminar and Lifetime Fitness course. Don’t forget to consider some elective courses that interest you as well!

Q: How many classes should I take my first semester?
A: You must take at least 12 credit hours of classes to be considered a full-time student.
Maintaining full-time status is very important to your financial aid, athletic eligibility, scholarships, insurance eligibility and other important areas. A typical course load at Butler is 14-18 credit hours per semester. For most students, that would be about five or six classes, but we recommend discussing this with your advisor.

Q: What if I don’t know what I want to study? Then what courses do I take?
A: First of all, don’t feel alone! Many students enter Butler without a clear idea of what they want to study. Start with looking over the Core Curriculum. There are required classes in several different disciplines, and you may find that one strikes a chord with you. By exploring a wide range of academic fields, you might find a subject in which you want to major, minor or study as an elective. You will be assigned an Exploratory Studies advisor who will help you through this process.

In addition, there is a course designed to help students make these choices: LC 103, Exploratory Studies. Decision-making, self-assessment and academic exploration are foundational concepts in this course.

Q: How do I plan out my schedule?
A: Once you have decided upon which courses you would like to take, use the online course search function and Fall 2008 Schedule of Classes to see what time and day the classes are offered. Be sure that classes do not overlap or conflict with one another.

Q: What if the classes I want are closed?
A: It is always beneficial to have several course options chosen before you walk into your advising appointment. Have some back-up classes picked just in case. And remember, you’re a freshman, you will have plenty of time to take all those required courses!

Q: What if I change my mind about my major or some of the courses I enrolled in during Early Registration?
A: You can contact several people for assistance with any changes you wish to make after Early Registration: the advisor you met with during Early Registration, the head of the department of your major, or the Learning Resource Center. Please keep in mind, however, that course availability diminishes over the freshmen enrollment period. Sections may become full, and therefore it may not always be possible to make your requested changes. Always refer to the online schedule of courses for open sections.

Q: What if I have taken AP/IB/CLEP? Will I receive credit for any courses?
A: Butler does offer course credit to students who have taken the Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or College Level Examination Program exams. Please see the links below for credit awarded. If you are registering for your Butler classes before you take your AP/IB/CLEP exams or before they are scored, your advisor may still have you sign up for those classes. Remember, it is easier to drop a class than try to add one later on.

AP/IB Credit Awarded (PDF)
CLEP Credit Awarded (PDF)

Students involved in a dual-enrollment program through another university should bring college transcripts to Early Registration.