Q: Why is USC 101/102 required for all FYC students?
A: The connection between advisor and student is strengthened by weekly contact in the orientation class. The class also provides support for you to make a good academic and social transition to college life. Finally, a comprehensive investigation of your career and personal interests is linked with an examination of the majors and opportunities available at NC State. The USC class provides all this!

Q: When should FYC students be declaring their majors?
A: Ideally, after a year of careful exploration and good grades, many students will be ready to declare a major at the end of their second semester. However, for students who are still narrowing down their choices or still improving their GPA's, it is possible to remain in FYC beyond the second semester. Since FYC is not a degree-granting college, there is a point where it is no longer in a student's best interest to stay in the program. University regulations (Progress Toward Degree) require that all students matriculate into a major by 60 credit hours. Advisors can help students at any level of decision-making, and there are other resources on campus. Other helpful resources include Advising Central, Career Center, and the Tutorial Center.

Q: What if I am really undecided?
A: That's what FYC is here for! Your advisor can talk with you about your interests and help you research some options. The Career Center and Advising Central are other great resources.

Q: How do I know what the transfer requirements are for various majors?
A: These requirements can and do change without notice, so it is always best to check for the most up to date information. Your advisor is also a good resource and can refer you to the correct departmental contact person. Current transfer requirements are posted online (scroll down and click on the college you're interested in).

Q: Where do I go if I have questions about a specific major?
A: Questions about a specific major should be addressed to the Coordinator of Advising for that particular department. You can find a list of all the coordinators on the Majors and Careers Website. Advising Central can also help you research majors, if you don't need to talk to a person right away.

Q: What minors are available here? What's the benefit of having a minor?
A: A minor is usually around 15-18 credits, and can be used to enhance the value of your major, open a particular job market to you, or satisfy an interest area you have. Major/minor pairs can take a variety of forms. For example, an Accounting major with a minor in Africana Studies, a Geology major with a minor in Outdoor Leadership, a History major with an Environmental Science minor, a Textile Engineering major with a minor in Spanish, Political Science with a minor in Journalism. Minors can distinguish your transcript from many others with the same major, and help you stand out in a crowd. You do not have to be accepted by the college to declare a minor - contact the department as soon as you have decided upon a minor for specific details. Paperwork to declare your minor must be completed and filed with the appropriate department at least one semester prior to graduation.

The list of minors can be accessed through the Majors & Careers Website.

Q: What is meant by "foreign language proficiency?"
A: Foreign language designations can be somewhat confusing as there are two separate categories - proficiency and placement. Some majors at NC State do not require any advanced study of foreign language, while other majors do. Therefore, it is best to discuss questions concerning foreign language with your advisor or with a representative of the foreign language department. The main number for the Foreign Language department is (919)515-2475.

Q: What is meant by the term "C-wall?"
A: For all students at NC State, ENG 101 is a course that must be passed with a C- or better, and is thus part of a C-wall. Some majors have additional courses that must be passed with a C- or better - for example, Engineering has a C-wall for MA 141, MA 241, PY 205, CH 101, CH 102, ENG 101 and other courses.

Q: How many hours do I need to have to become a sophomore/junior/senior?
A: Freshmen 1-29 hours
Sophomores 30-59 hours
Juniors 60-91 hours
Seniors 92+ hours

Q: What GPA is required for the Dean's List?
A: Full time students with 12-14 graded hours must have a 3.5 semester GPA. Students with 15 or more graded hours must have a 3.25 semester GPA.

Q: What GPA determines eligibility to continue (versus suspension)?
A: As of November 2003, the policy set by the Provost's Office is as follows:
If a student has attempted 1-59 hours, s/he needs a 1.8 GPA to continue at NC State.
If a student has attempted 60 or more credit hours, s/he needs to maintain a 2.00 GPA to continue at NC State.

Suspension only occurs at the end of spring or summer sessions, never at the end of a fall semester. Academic Warning indicates a student is below the 2.00 GPA needed for good academic standing, and should be working closely with his/her advisor to raise the GPA.

Q: What do IN and LA mean on a transcript (grade report)?
A: IN means Incomplete. This temporary designation is usually agreed upon by both student and professor and is assigned in situations where class work is not complete. You should get in touch with your professor as soon as possible if you receive an IN grade.
LA means Late. This happens if a professor does not submit his or her grades by the deadline. Therefore, there is nothing a student must do to resolve a LA grade. Keep checking your transcript via the MyPack Portal! For more details see the Academic Regulations pages for grading descriptions.

Q: What is the First Year Course Repeat Policy?
A: NC State has a policy of forgiveness called the First Year Course Repeat Policy. The Academic Regulations state "This policy is necessary because new students lack familiarity with the University, and as a result, they are more likely to make errors in their choice of courses and total course load" (NC State University Undergraduate Catalog, page 43). The policy allows students to repeat up to two courses in which they earned less than a C- and have the grade they earn on the second attempt replace the grade made on the first attempt in cumulative gpa and credit hour totals. Students should be aware that the grade they earned on the first attempt will remain on their transcript. They should also check with their advisors on the specific rules and regulations of this policy or go to the Academic Regulations for more details.

Q: What are the academic deadlines I should be aware of each semester?
A: Check the appropriate academic semester calendar on the Registration and Records web site for details

Q: I'm thinking about changing a course to credit only. What should I be considering in my decision?
A: Any course that is taken to satisfy an academic requirement must be taken for a letter grade (with the exception of PE). Therefore, changing a course like PSY 200 to credit only means it cannot be used toward your Humanities and Social Sciences requirement. Some classes are automatically taught for credit only, and that's OK (e.g. - E 115). It is always wise to ask your advisor before you make any changes to your schedule. Your friends probably don't know the most current policies.

Q: I'm thinking about dropping a course. What should I do?
A: It depends on what time of semester it is. If it is within the first week or two, you can use the MyPack Portal to make adjustments to your schedule. As always, consult your advisor before dropping or adding any courses. If you are dropping a course before the deadline (usually around week 8) you should think carefully about how it will affect your academic progress, financial aid, etc. Your advisor can help.
If you are considering dropping a course after the deadline, you will need to have an exception made for you. Reasonable exceptions are for things that are out of your control (like being hospitalized) and not for poor test grades. Most likely, you will need to meet with the University Counseling Center to have such a request approved. Ask your Advisor for details about current procedures.
If you are trying to withdraw from the university (dropping all your classes at once), you should speak with your advisor. Usually, a total withdrawal is processed through the Counseling Center.

Q: What should I do if I don't think a grade on my transcript is correct?
A: Any questions about grades should first be directed to the professor who assigned the grate. Then if you are having a dispute about the grade, ask the department head to help mediate.

Q: Where do I go if I have questions about money (tuition or fees, financial aid, housing charges, etc.)?
A: You should go to the Cashier's Office web site and / or the Financial Aid site.

Q: How do I determine what courses I can take at other schools (for instance, summer school at your local community college)?
A: Some courses that are part of a sequence (e.g. - MA 141, 241, 242) are not a good choice for summer school. Some courses might not transfer back to NC State as the exact course that you need. Therefore, you should look at the Course Equivalency Information page, but it is useful to discuss your ideas with your advisor.

Q: How can I learn about opportunities to get some work experience?
A: The Co-operative Education program can help students get work experience, and internships. This can be researched through the Career Center. Financial Aid is included here since they maintain a listing of part-time jobs available for students.

Q: Is There a Second Year in the First Year College?
A: After their first year, some students have not transferred out of the First Year College. It seems as if everybody else is settled and secure in a major. Some students might even believe that they are less successful academically, simply because they have not officially declared their major. The fact is, though, that many students remain in the First Year College after their first year--for a wide variety of reasons. Here is a general list of possible reasons that students might remain in the First Year College after their first year:

Finishing the courses on the "C" wall or another list of prerequisite courses.
Earning the required number of hours to be eligible for transfer (can be up to 30). If a student chooses to take fewer than 15 hours a semester (because of work, family, or other reasons), then becoming a sophomore or junior can take more time.
Have an acceptable GPA but fall just short of the requirement for the College of their choice. The Colleges of Engineering and Management contain some of the more popular majors at NC State and are, therefore, the most competitive. Even students with the minimum GPA requirement might still find it hard to be accepted into these programs.
Have narrowed down the decision but still are torn between two or more majors.
Are developing a portfolio for Design.

The list could go on and on. The point is that investigating the university's currucula and getting involved with the campus community are processes that often take longer than one year.

Q: What is expected of sophomore students in FYC?
A: If you have successfully completed your first year at NC State and are still considered an FYC student, then you will still operate under the First Year College standards. No, you do not have to enroll in USC 101/102 again, but you are required to keep both initial and registration advising appointments with your advisor. Visit the FYC Faculty and Staff Directory for a complete list of current FYC Advisors. If your advisor from last year is not listed, then you should call the main office (5-8130) to find out who your new advisor will be, or you can call any advisor whom you feel comfortable speaking with.

The most important thing to remember is that your advisor is still your advisor. Just because you aren't in class every week doesn't mean that they aren't willing to talk with you. Call to find out when your advisor's office hours are held and how you will need to make appointments.

This page last updated by mmrust- December 15, 2011 9:56 AM

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