Academics and course registration
You’re going to get a distinctive, one-of-a-kind education at Beloit. That means we do things a little differently around here, extending to how you choose classes and kick-start college life. Below is what you need to know about hitting the books, Beloit-style.
Registering for Courses
This summer, you might hear from friends attending other schools that they’ve already registered for their first-semester courses. You won’t have, but don’t fret: we’ve got you covered.
Incoming students complete the registration process during New Student Days (August 19-24). By that time, you will have been on campus awhile, talked to professors, and have started to see, in person, what the college has to offer. We think it helps you make a more informed decision; you’ll choose classes during a one-on-one session with your First-Year Initiatives advisor. During New Student Days, transfer students attend a seminar with their academic advisor, but most do not take FYI.
Course Load
Generally, incoming students take four one-unit courses, one of them being the First Year Initiatives (FYI) seminar.
You can see the Fall 2013 course offerings online.
As you’re looking, note that all FYI seminars meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from either 10 a.m. to noon or 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Take a look at the entire Beloit College course catalog. The 2013-15 catalog goes up in early August.
First-Year Initiatives (FYI) Seminar
This nationally acclaimed program gets you connected and comfortable with Beloit College. It kicks off with New Student Days, when new students are the only ones attending class—specifically, FYI seminars. It’s your first taste of the engaged, hands-on, eclectic, think-on-your-feet learning that defines a Beloit education.
If you haven’t already, read the FYI course descriptions and fill out the FYI Registration Form to give us your top four choices.
Professors’ names are not listed with the descriptions—on purpose. We want you to choose a topic that sounds interesting to you, regardless of what you think your major field might become. No FYI can be pinned down to just one discipline, which we love. We think you will, too.
You’ll find out which FYI you’re assigned to when you arrive on campus. All FYI assignments are final.
New Student Days Common Reading: Katherine Boo's Behind the Beautiful Forevers
Everyone starting at Beloit this fall will get to know this book, which you received by mail. Read it before you get here and consider the study questions. They’ll be the stepping stones for your first big discussions, insights, and epiphanies.
Purchasing Books
Turtle Creek-The Beloit College Bookstore, located at 444 East Grand Avenue in downtown Beloit, is the college’s official bookstore. All textbooks, arranged by course, are there. Options for textbooks include: new, used, rental, digital, and rental digital. In future semesters, when you’ll know your courses ahead of time, you can pre-order books online. Also featured there: software discounts for students, art and office supplies, and promotions throughout the year.
If you want to get pumped up with Beloit College spirit, Turtle Creek is chock-full of hoodies, sweatpants, T-shirts, mugs, water bottles, and hats (President Bierman favors the baseball cap with the big “B”).
Help your advisor get to know you. Log in to the Portal and fill out the form (allow 30-45 minutes). Find this item on the checklist for further instructions.
AP/IB/GCE A-Level/College Transfer Credits
If you haven’t already, have an official transcript or score report sent to the Registrar’s Office. Before New Student Days, they’ll change your Beloit College transcript to reflect any credit received. You’ll get a copy of your updated transcript in your campus mailbox.
Academic Calendar
The academic calendar was sent to you by mail.
If you have a disability, the Learning Enrichment and Disability Services Office is there to help. If you plan to have accommodations like special housing arrangements, extra time on exams, or other assistance (for instance, if you need the common reading in an audio format), you must contact Joy de Leon (608-363-2572) as soon as possible (by May for housing arrangements, by July 15 for other requests) to set up these resources.