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Frequently Asked Questions
Academic Help
 If I am having trouble in one of my classes what should I do?
There are a number of resources to help you succeed academically. Academic Assistance Programs offers free tutoring services, study skills workshps and informational handouts. If you need help with writing assignments, visit the Writing Center. Course instructors can also give you study strategies. You should always feel free to discuss your progress with your instructor and/or ask for help. If you are struggling in a course you may choose to drop or withdraw from it, provided the deadlines have not passed; discuss this option with your advisor.
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Advisors & Advising
Who is my advisor?
Advisors are assigned by the department offering each major. Each department has a designated initial contact person who will help you connect with your advisor. If you are unable to locate the necessary information through the Departmental Advising Contacts information, you may contact Academic Advising for assistance.
Where is my advisor located?
To find out where your advisor's office is located, you may contact the advisor or his/her department directly. The online Campus Directory can be used to search for specific individuals or for department listings. You may also contact Academic Advising for help locating your advisor.
What should I do to get ready for my advising meeting?
You should be able to tell your advisor about your current career plans. This will help you and your advisor discuss possible internships, research projects, and volunteer opportunities. You should also create a tentative schedule for the next semester. Use your department's curriculum guide as a starting place. Your advisor may suggest changes to this schedule, but it will be a starting place for your advising meeting. For other questions you might discuss with your advisor check out our resources.
Can I talk to a different advisor than the one I was assigned?
You may request a change advisors for a variety of reasons. Sometimes you have taken several classes from another faculty member and want to continue that mentoring relationship through advising. Or you may have changed your field of interest and want to change to a faculty member more closely associated with your interests. And occasionally you may not be comfortable discussing goals with your assigned advisor. Whatever the concern, you should contact the department office or department chair to request to be assigned another advisor.
I met with my advisor, but I still have questions that he/she wasn't able to answer; now what?
If you have unanswered questions after meeting with your advisor, there are options available depending upon the situation and nature of your questions. 1) You can schedule another appointment with your advisor for further discussion. Before the appointment, you should write down your questions so that your advisor can address each of your concerns. 2) If your advisor does not know where to locate the necessary information, you or your advisor may contact Academic Advising for assistance.
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Graduation Requirements
When I met with my advisor, s/he substituted a class for one required for my major; why doesn't it show up on my degree audit?
When a substitution (or waiver) for a degree requirement has been made, you and your advisor need to complete a Degree Audit Substitution/Waiver Request to submit to the Registrar's Office to update your degree audit.
Can I graduate with a General Studies major?
Yes, UI offers a Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) degree. BGS majors are advised by college advisors in the College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences.
How do I check my progress toward graduation?
Your Degree Audit is the primary tool to track your progress toward graduation. You may access your Degree Audit by logging into VandalWeb.
What is the difference between degree audit and degree shopping?
Degree audit tracks a students' progress toward their declared major(s) and/or minor(s), while degree shopping will allow students' to explore their progress toward any of the available degree programs in specific Catalog years.
What is an elective?
The term elective refers to any course that isn't specifically required for your major or by your department, college, or to meet general university requirements.
Am I required to take both a Fall and Spring Core Discovery course?
It will depend upon what year you were admitted and began attending the UI. If you began attending Summer 2003 through Spring 2004 (under the 2003 General Catalog) you are required to take ONE semester of Core Discovery. If you began attending Summer 2004 or later (under the 2004 General Catalog) you are required to complete TWO semesters of Core Discovery.
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Majors & Minors
What is a minor?
Academic minors are a prescribed group of classes consisting of 18 or more credits as described in Part 3 of the General Catalog (Regulation J-9). Some majors require a minor, for others it is optional. Check with your advisor for specifics about your degree program.
How do I change my major?
A change of major is recorded using a Change of Curriculum Form which is available on the Registrar's website. You will need to complete the information on the form for both your current program and your new program and collect signatures to exit the old program and be admitted to the new one. Your academic dean's office can assist in filling out the form. Once the form is completed and signed, you must submit it to the Registrar's Office for processing.
What if I am having second thoughts about my choice of major and/or I don't know what I want to major in?
There are a number of resources available on our website for students, like yourself, who are exploring their choice of major.
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Registration Issues
I have a hold on my record. What do I do?
After logging into VandalWeb, select the View Holds option on the Registration Menu or select the View Holds option at the bottom of the screen. You can determine what type of hold has been placed on your account and see the contact information for which office to ask about having the hold released from your record. If you have an Advisor Hold, see "Why do I have an Advisor Hold on my registration".
Why do I have an Advisor Hold on my registration?
Each semester as an undergraduate student, you must meet with your academic advisor to discuss class choices and long-term planning. Advisors offer advice based on what your educational and career goals are. Once you have met with your advisor, s/he will remove the Advisor Hold so that you may register on VandalWeb.
How do I register for classes?
All registration is done online through the UI's web registration system. Instructions for VandalWeb registration are available on the Registrar's Office website.
What is a waitlist?
A department can choose to have waitlists form when class reaches its maximum capacity. Information about how the wait list system works is available on the Registrar's Office website.
I'm trying to register and I keep getting a "PREREQUISITE NOT MET" error even though the prerequisite course was waived or substituted; why?
Degree substitutions and waivers do not satisfy course prerequisites for registration purposes. If the course instructor agrees that you have adequate preparation, the instructor can enter a Registration Override online to allow you to register for the course. Contact the course instructor or department to discuss your options.
I need to be enrolled full-time because of my financial aid; what is full-time?
As an undergraduate you are required to be enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester to be considered full-time; graduate students are required to be enrolled in 9 or more credits to be considered full-time. Note that full-time fees are charged when you enroll in 8 or more credits, but this does not qualify for enrollment purposes.
I need to drop a class; what happens if I drop below full-time?
There are several variables in answering this question so you may want to check with financial aid if dropping below full-time becomes necessary. Generally, you will need to satisfactorily complete 75% of the credits you begin the semester with. Thus, for full-time status you must earn 18 credits for the academic year. Check the financial aid Satisfactory Progress Policy for futher information.
Can I drop a course?
It depends upon the date. For courses that last the full semester, you are allowed four weeks to drop without a grade of W; from the fifth through the eighth week of the semester you may withdraw with a grade of W being recorded on your transcript. Courses that last for short periods or only part of the semester have different deadlines; contact the Registrar's Office for specifics. Dates for the current semester can be found on the Academic Calendar.
Does a W affect my GPA?
No, W's are not calculated into your GPA. However, you should note that as an undergraduate you are allowed only 20 credits of W during your career at UI.
Can I take a correspondence class?
Yes; Independent Study in Idaho (ISI) offers a variety of courses for college credit. ISI coordinates correspondence courses offered by all Idaho institutions. UI courses offered through ISI will appear on your UI transcript, but if the course is offered through another institution, you will need to make sure to have your official transcripts sent to the UI for a transfer credit evaluation.
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Transfer & AP Credit
How do I find out if the classes I took at another school will transfer?
First, check the Transfer Guides on the Registrar's website to determine how classes will be evaluated from other schools. Once your official transcript from the other school is received it will be evaluated and the credits will appear on your online transcript. If you have further questions about your transfer credit contact the Registrar's Office at registrar@uidaho.edu or (208) 885-6731.
How will the classes I took at another school count toward my degree program at UI?
Once the credit has been evaluated, the transferred courses will be included on your degree audit report. If you have questions about transferred courses and your degree program you should speak with your advisor.
Why do some of the classes I transferred in appear as a course number 000 on my transcript?
When a course from another institution does not have a direct equivalent at UI, credit is given as an elective. The course work appears on your transcript under the appropriate subject with a course number of 000. If you have questions about using these elective courses to satisfy your degree requirements you should discuss it with your advisor. You and your advisor will need to complete a Degree Audit Substitution/Waiver Request to apply these courses to specific degree requirements.
Can I get credit for the AP class I took in high school?
If the test score you received on the AP exam is high enough then you may earn credit. Once your official exam score is received by the Registrar's Office it will be evaluated for credits. The Advanced Placement Exam score requirements are available on the Registrar's website, or you may contact them should you have more questions.
What if I disagree with my English or Math placement?
Your initial English and Math placement is based upon your ACT or SAT scores. If you feel that your test score does not accurately reflect your ability, you may take the COMPASS exam through the Counseling & Testing Center as an alternative placement.
How do I challenge a course?
With permission from the course instructor, department chair, and your academic dean you may challenge courses. See the Online Form for further information.
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