Academics
1. How can I find out about the course offerings?
2. How can I find out when my courses are?
3. How many courses do I have to take?
4. When and how do I have to register for my courses?
5. What is the 'honor roll' and the 'dean's list'?
6. What is the Honor System?
7. How important is class attendance?
8. What is an academic advisor?
9. What grading scale do they use at W&L?
10. How much do books cost?
 





1. How can I find out about the course offerings?
  The university registrar is the one who manages the whole course administration. On the registrar's web page, you will find a course catalogue with all courses of the current and the next semester. Go to http://registrar.wlu.edu .
2.

How can I find out when my courses are?

  Each course has a weird-looking code at its side. The code should look like this:

(MTH)AB or like this: (TUW)CDE

Go the Registrar's Web site and check out his explanation.
3.

How many courses do I have to take?

  F-1 and J-1 students are required to be full-time students. This means that for fall term and winter term you are required to take at least 12 credit hours, during spring term 3-6 credit hours. Student teaching assistants are required to take only 6 hours per term. A reduced courseload will be considered only if there is a medical reason or you are in your last term at the university and don't need a full load of credits to graduate. Permission my be received by both the University and the US Department of Homeland Security.
4.

When and how do I have to register for my courses?

  The registration process is divided in 3 steps, the first two go online.
  1. Preregistration
  2. You will get a password and a time slot that will enable you to login with your username (usually surname + first letter of firstname) at the registrar's web page. Pre-registration allows you to pick your 'wish list' of courses you'd like to take.
  3. Webregistration actually registers you for course and will inform you of their availability. For the fall term, Webregistration occurs during orientation.
  4. There is a drop / add period for approximately one week after classes start.
5.

What is the 'Honor Roll' and the 'Dean's List'?

  A student is eligible for recognition on the Honor Roll if his GPA is 3.75 or above. A student is eligible for Dean's List if his GPA is 3.4. GPA is Grade Point Average, explained in Number 9 below.
6.

What is the Honor System?

  The Honor System is a system of principles of truth, honesty and integrity that all students are bound to follow at W&L. Many exams  will need to be signed by you, stating that you have neither given nor received any assistance during the exam.
7.

How important is class attendance?

  Professors at W&L place a high importance on class attendance, participation in class  and completion of regular assignments. Most professors will inform you at the beginning of the term what their course requirements are.
8.

What is an 'acadamic advisor'?

  Each student is assigned an academic advisor, a faculty member who assists the students in selecting courses and registering.
9.

What grading scale do they use at W&L?

  The grading scale is typically as follows:                                           A+, A, A-  :  Superior                                                                                     B+, B, B- :  Good                                                                                     C+, C, C- :  Fair                                                                                         D+, D, D-:  Marginal                                                                                   E: Conditional Failure                                                                                F:  Failure

The above grades are then factored into a Grade Point Average (GPA), with A being 4.0, B being 3.0, C 2.0, and D 1.0. If a student's grade point average is below a certain point (it is different for each level) at the end of one term, the student goes on 'probation'. If a student is unable to bring his grade up after two terms, he must leave the university. If he is unable to maintain a 2.5, he jeopardizes any financial assistance from the university that he is receiving.

10.

How much do books cost?

  The estimate for books for 2004-2005 academic year is $1500. Costs will vary greatly by subject and level. Some professors will rely more on articles and the Internet, while others will require textbooks. Some textbooks are available second-hand.