{"69291":{"#nid":"69291","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Changing a Major and Maneuvering Add\/Drop Registration","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EDana Hartley, Ph.D.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nDirector of Undergraduate Studies\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOne of the most stressful events for incoming and returning students is deciding whether to change their major. Naturally, parents want their students to find the \u0022right path\u0022 and move forward in a productive manner. For students, this process is often filled with anxiety and doubt. Our main piece of advice for students and parents is \u0022don\u0027t panic!\u0022 There is a process in place that students can follow for a successful outcome. However, it is important to note that, due to timing, there are key differences for freshman and continuing students.  \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf your freshman suddenly decides to change majors right when school starts, our recommendation is to wait. The course work for the first semester is general enough (and fulfills requirements for all majors) that there is no real reason to start changing classes at this time. Moreover, it is very likely your student does not yet know enough about the other majors available. This is where our freshman seminar, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.success.gatech.edu\/gt1000-freshman-seminar\u0022\u003EGT1000\u003C\/a\u003E, can provide guidance for your student. In GT1000, students have the opportunity to learn about a major of interest as well as other major options.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf your student is a continuing student and has decided to change majors, they should act on it before school starts. If they know which major they want to pursue, contact the advisor well before the term starts (\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.advising.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003Ewww.advising.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E). In addition to the paperwork, it is important to attend the right classes from the very start of the term. However, if they are really undecided and just know they want out of their current major, your student should first go see one of the undecided advisors (\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.advising.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003Ewww.advising.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E). The advisor will help determine what major is the best fit.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to changing majors, quite a bit of confusion and frenzy surrounds the Add\/Drop (known as phase II registration) period of registration. Phase II registration for fall 2011 begins Saturday, August 13, and ends Friday, August 26. During this time, students can add and drop courses. After August 26, a student\u2019s schedule is final and no classes can be added. A student may withdraw from a class, but a \u0022W\u0022 will appear on the transcript, and those hours may count against financial aid.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThere are a few \u0022rules\u0022 to follow for phase II registration.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E1. No matter what, students should attend all the classes they think they might take. This investment amounts to a few extra hours versus starting a week behind! \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E2. Students should know what they want to take prior to phase II registration. If your student doesn\u0027t know, they should talk to an advisor first. Remember, classes are in session during Phase II, and your student can fall behind in classes while trying to make decisions. \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E3. There are always exceptions in life. If your student is confused about their academic path, recommend that your student see an advisor for guidance. \n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf you or your student has questions about academic advising, visit the Academic Advising website \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.advising.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003Ewww.advising.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E for resources and contact information.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"One of the most stressful events for incoming and returning students is deciding whether to change their major. Naturally, parents want their students to find the \u0022right path\u0022 and move forward in a productive manner. For students, this process is often filled with anxiety and doubt. Our main piece of advice for students and parents is \u0022don\u0027t panic!\u0022 There is a process in place that students can follow for a successful outcome. However, it is important to note that, due to timing, there are key differences for freshman and continuing students.","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Tips for navigating phase II of fall registration."}],"uid":"27164","created_gmt":"2011-08-08 00:00:00","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:09:55","author":"Rachael Pocklington","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2011-08-08T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2011-08-08T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"groups":[{"id":"1298","name":"Parent and Family Programs"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"13989","name":"change major"},{"id":"13988","name":"drop add"},{"id":"10561","name":"phase II registration"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cstrong\u003ERachael Pocklington\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EParents Program\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/contact\/index.html?id=rpocklington3\u0022\u003EContact Rachael Pocklington\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E404-385-3920\u003C\/strong\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["rachael.pocklington@vpss.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}