Dana Hartley, Ph.D.
Director Undergraduate Studies

It is hard to believe that the fall semester is nearing a close and, before we know it, students will be back from break and ready to start spring semester. For now, most students are busy preparing for their upcoming final exams and thinking about the impact on their final grades. There are a few key timing issues of which students should be aware as they approach the spring semester.

1. Final grades will be posted to the student’s OSCAR account after 6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 21, 2010. This is the week after the conclusion of final exams.

2. Spring classes begin January 10, 2011. Please be aware that Georgia Tech is closed from December 24, 2010 - January 2, 2011. During this time advisors will not be on campus. However, registration for spring term opens on January 4. Advisors will be back on campus and ready to help guide students through the registration process at that time.

3. Assuming your student has successfully selected spring semester classes during early registration (October 28 through November 20), there are still many compelling reasons why your student should see an advisor:
a)Discuss how to pursue internships for the summer,
b)Receive guidance on connecting with faculty for conducting research,
c)Prepare for graduate school, medical school, business school, and other postgraduate school, and
d)Of course, receive academic support to help improve your student’s GPA.

Please encourage your student to make use of the guidance their advisor offers. To learn more about academic advising and how it can help your student, visit www.advising.gatech.edu.