Category: Advising Announcements

Studying Abroad

Participating in the Study Abroad program can be an exciting and life-changing experience. Studying abroad can be done during the summer, or for one semester or two semesters. Whether you know what country you would like to visit or simply want to know the opportunities available to you, visit the International Programs and Services (IPS) website (www.mtu.edu/international/study-abroad/program/).

Once you have determined that you want to study abroad, start the process by contacting the IPS office. As long as you plan ahead, courses taken abroad can be used to satisfy your degree requirements and should not impact your graduation date. Coordination is required among the IPS staff, your academic advisor, and other departments to determine course offerings and to get them pre-approved to transfer to Michigan Tech.

Last Day to drop without a “W” (Withdrawal), January 30, 2015 (Friday, Week 3)

All first-year students must meet with their academic advisor to drop a class after orientation. All students must go to the Student Service Center to drop classes after 1st week.

When a student drops a full semester class between 1st and 3rd weeks, nothing appears on their transcripts. When a student drops a class between 4th and 10th weeks, a withdrawal grade (W) appears on their transcripts. This indicates that the student took the class for a significant amount of time (more than 3 weeks) and then decided to drop the class. One W on a transcript is not a big deal (check with Financial Aid to see a W grade will affect your financial aid, scholarships, or loans). More than a couple of Ws will start to indicate to a potential employer that a student cannot complete what they set out to do.

No Time for Lunch?

Do you have a meal plan with the Residence Hall but skip lunch because you have classes through lunch time? You could get a bag lunch from your dining hall, and here is how it works:

Dining Service provides bag lunches for students in the residence halls that cannot make it to lunch due to their class schedule (note, class schedules will be checked to confirm lunch-time conflicts). To request a lunch, ask any dining services staff person for a Bag Lunch form. To complete the form, you will need to specify service days and pickup times. Bag lunches, which will require a swipe when picked up, include a sandwich of your choice, fruit, chips, yogurt, and cookie. You will need to pick up your bag lunch at your dining hall.

Repeating Courses

If your earn a grade of CD or below in a course, the course may be repeated. By repeating a course, you have the opportunity to learn the material better, which will help you in future courses as well as improve your GPA. Below is a list of how it works:

  • You may repeat courses with a grade of CD or lower.
  • The most recent grade is used in your GPA calculation, even if it is lower than the previous grade.
  • Your official transcripts will indicate NR (no grade– repeated) for any earlier attempt(s) at the course.
  • You may repeat a course no more than two times (i.e., take a course three times).
  • Special permission from the Dean of Students (170 Administration Building, deanofstudents@mtu.edu, 906-487-2212), Financial Aid, and your academic advisor is required to repeat a course a second and final time.

If you have questions regarding which classes to re-take you should contact your academic advisor.

Do you need to late drop a class?

After the last day to drop a class (Friday, Week 10), students who have extenuating circumstances must appeal to the Student Affairs office for a Late Drop.
Late drops are NOT given because:
1. You forgot to drop the course, or you were not aware of the policy;
2. You spent too much time on University extracurricular activities;
3. You wish to avoid a poor grade;
4. You are changing your major or transferring to another school; or
5. You do not need the course to graduate.
The instructions for requesting a Late Drop can be found at: www.admin.mtu.edu/dos/latedrop.htm.

Last Day To Drop With a “W” (Withdrawal) November 7, 2014, 5pm

The last day to drop a class with a withdrawal (W) grade is Friday of Week 10 (November 7, 2014, 5pm). All first-year students must meet with their academic advisor and instructor to drop a class. This allows the student to discuss the ramifications before dropping a class. Therefore, do not wait until Friday to get signatures. All students must go to the Student Service Center to drop classes through the Friday of 10th Week.

After the last day to drop, students who have extenuating circumstances must appeal to the Student Affairs office for a Late Drop. The instructions for requesting a Late Drop can be found at: www.admin.mtu.edu/dos/latedrop.htm.

Registration Opens October 30, 2014

Spring and Summer 2015 registration will be open October 3oth, 10:00 pm through November 16th, midnight. If you have questions regarding what classes to take, you should make an appointment to meet with your academic advisor.

Registration typically opens each night at 10:00 pm. Due to the large number of students, some days will have two start times, 10:00 pm and 11:00 pm. To find out what day and time you register go to: www.mtu.edu/registrar/pdfs/registration-priority-schedule.pdf.

  • Priority is based on the number of credits earned at the time of registration. This does not include the number of credits the student is currently taking.
  • Students may register anytime on or after their scheduled day.
  • The web will be unavailable for registration from 2:00–2:30 am each day.
  • Registration closes at midnight Sunday, November 16 and reopens again later in November.
  • Students with questions or problems should contact the Student Service Center at 487-2319 or e-mail schedule@mtu.edu.

Need help in a class?

As you are getting into your classes, you may find that you need extra help on a topic. If you have questions, go see your professor during office hours, or e-mail your professor to set up an appointment. Learning Centers are another resource on campus:

  • Chemistry: 208 Chem Sciences and Eng Building
  • Computer Science: 114 Rekhi Hall
  • Engineering Fundamentals: 208 Dillman Hall, Sunday- Thursday, 7pm-9pm
  • Mathematics: 234 Fisher Hall
  • Multiliteracies Center (formerly the Writing Center): 107 Walker Arts and Humanities Center
  • Physics: 128 Fisher Hall
  • Visit the link for all Michigan Tech Learning Centers

First-Year Advising Meetings

During fall semester, all academic advisors meet with first-year students to go over the requirements for the department, scheduling, and degree options. Students who are undecided (General Engineering) about which engineering discipline they want to pursue should attend the meeting with Engineering Fundamentals (General/Undecided & Bachelor of Science, 10/08/2014, 6pm, U115 M&M). You are also welcome to attend any department meeting (see list below).

  • Biomedical: 10/14/2014, 5pm, U115 M&M
  • Chemical: during CM1000, 10/16/2014, 11:05am, 103 EERC
  • Civil: during CE1000, 10/13/2014, 2:05pm, G002 Forestry
  • Electrical & Computer: ECE will schedule your appointment and notify students via e-mail, 131 EERC (non-majors e-mail eceadvise@mtu.edu)
  • Environmental: during ENVE1501, 10/14/2014, 2:05pm, 101 Chem Sci
  • General/Undecided & Bachelor of Science: 10/08/2014, 6pm, U115 M&M
  • Geological: during GE1100, other students by appointment, e-mail Dr. Gierke (jsgierke@mtu.edu)
  • Materials: please schedule an appointment with Dr. Seguin (mseadvise@mtu.edu)
  • Mechanical: 10/13/2014, 5pm, 641 DOW

Preparing to Get a Job

It’s not too early to start preparing for a summer job; plan ahead for the 2014 Fall Career Fair. For details: www.mtu.edu/career/fair/students:

  • Resume Blitz: The Van Pelt and Opie Library , September 17, 18, 24, and 25, 11am-2pm
  • Career Fair Preparation: The Van Pelt and Opie Library, September 17, 6:30-7:30pm
  • Mock Interviews: Admin Building 220, September 22-26, 9am-4pm, one-on-one mock interview
  • Career Fair Cookout: Career Fest Tent outside Library, September 29, 11am-2pm
  • SWE ‘Evening with Industry’: MUB Ballroom, September 29, Social 5:30pm, Dinner 6:30pm, Information elpoli@mtu.edu, Cost $20, Tickets MUB 106 M-F 10-2pm
  • Fall Career Fair: SDC, September 30, noon-6pm

Fall Career Fair 2014 is where students and companies can meet to discuss potential job opportunities including summer internships, co-ops, and full-time employment. It is a great chance for first-year students to find summer employment which can help in making career decisions. A Job Fair Guidebook will be handed out at the Career Fair and will be available on-line. The guidebook provides a brief description of each company attending the Career Day (see details on the web at www.career.mtu.edu). A shuttle will be provided to transport students to and from the SDC; campus pick-up is at the MUB.