U - Orientation and First-Year Programs - University of Minnesota

AcademicsFour-Year Graduation PlanThere are many advantages to graduating in four years, including financial savings,increased learning that comes with maintaining momentum from semester to semester,and getting a head start on your post-college goals. This plan can help you achievefour-year graduation by assuring that required courses will be available to you. If theUniversity cannot provide a required course, it will, as its option, substitute another coursefor the requirement OR waive the requirement at the department’s discretion. If the U ofM cannot provide either of these options and, consequently, it takes you longer than fouryears to graduate, the U of M will pay the additional tuition.What’s your responsibility?academic.umn.edu/fouryear• Start at the U of M as a freshman• Place into courses appropriate for your major• Take freshman composition during your first academic year• Discuss and sign an agreement with your adviser at Orientation• Work with your adviser to set up an academic plan each year• Register on time each semester• If you have problems registering, let your adviser know immediately• Remain in good standing with your college and departmentThe deadline to apply for the Four-Year Graduation Plan is the first day of fall semester –September 8, 2009. Talk to your adviser at Orientation.University Honors Program (UHP)The UHP Mission is to guide students fromacross the University as they developinto broad, creative, independent, andinformed thinkers. Honors students arepart of a stimulating and supportivecommunity of like-minded peers withdiverse backgrounds and interests.Honors features a curriculum of honorsfoundational courses and seminarscombined with student engagement inhonors experiences including research,creative expression, internships, studyabroad, community service, and more.Honors students work closely with UHPadvisers in selecting their course(s) ofstudy and other honors experiences,planning for graduation with Latin Honors,and preparing for life beyond college.UHP housing in Middlebrook Hall isa great place for connecting andcommunity building. Curricular support,including some faculty office hoursand tutoring services (Monday throughThursday evenings) in addition tococurricular programming, extends theHonors learning experience to the Honorsresidential community.If you have been admitted to UHP, besure to register for an Orientation datereserved for Honors students. If you wouldlike to learn more about the UniversityHonors Program, visit honors.umn.edu.10Freshman SeminarsWhen you register for classes, consider taking a freshman seminar,which are offered both fall and spring semesters. These seminarsare small classes taught by some of our outstanding facultymembers. Designed for first-year students, they are a great wayto interact with a faculty member, meet other new students, andexplore a new topic such as:• CSI Minnesota: Biologists Look at Forensic Science• Einstein for Everyone• Introduction to Game Theory• Who Told You This? Or, Thinking Things Through• Brazil: Land of the Future, PostponedWhen you come to Orientation, your adviser can help you choose afreshman seminar for fall semester. Meanwhile, for a current list ofseminars, visit www.ofyp.umn.edu/freshsem.