This page contains answers to some of the most common student advising questions.
What is the difference between degree seeking and non-degree seeking in the admissions process?Why does the age of the scores sometimes matter and sometimes not matter? How are test scores used for class placement? My scores are lower than the ones in the placement table. What can I do?My scores qualified me to waive ENGL A 11, but I did not get credit for the class. I do not have enough Written Communications credits.I am told that my Accuplacer scores are not valid for placement. Why? My Accuplacer handout only lists Math results. Why? I failed a test, but I think I was really close to passing. What can I do - should I retest? Some of the tests I took should have given me credit for UAA classes. How does this work? How do Advanced Placement tests work? Do they affect my GPA or full time enrolled status? Where can I get help with transcript evaluation? How do I know if I can transfer credits from other institutions? What do I need to know about petitions? I am graduating next month/semester/year. What do I need to do to get ready? I have already applied to graduate, but I will not meet all the requirements. Do I need to reapply? I am taking classes at UAA, but I am told that I am not eligible for financial aid because I am not admitted. Why? I did not receive financial aid, so I will not be attending classes I registered for. Do I need to drop them? Why do I have a hold on my record? What is the difference between degree-seeking and non degree-seeking in the admissions process?
Differences Degree-seeking Non degree-seeking Application fee $40 $0
Deadline to apply July1 for Fall
November 1 for Spring
May 1 for Summer
None
Transcripts Required Not required
Test scores Certificates, Associate of Arts, and Associate of Science Not required Not required
Baccalaureate ACT, SAT or Accuplacer required if student has earned less than 30 college credits. See also question about the
age of the scores.
Financial aid Eligible Not eligible
Advisor Assigned Not assigned
Why does the age of the scores sometimes matter and sometimes does not matter?
For admission purposes the scores and the age of the scores do not matter, however, for placement purposes the ACT/SAT scores must be less than 2 years old and the Accuplacer scores must be less than 1 year old. Therefore, when prospective students ask about ordering ACT/SAT scores be sure to ask when they tested because the Accuplacer may be needed anyway.
How are test scores used for class placement?ACT/SAT scores less than 2 years old can be used for placement into English and mathematics courses. An online placement chart is also available in print in the front of each Class Schedule for easy reference (page 5 of Fall 2006 Class Schedule). For information, or to schedule an appointment for placement testing at University Center, call Advising and Testing at 786-4500.
My scores are lower than the ones in the placement table. What can I do?For placement into English, the only scores listed are those needed for English 111 and higher. If the ACT English score is lower than 22 or the SAT writing score (“verbal” is no longer a term used on SAT results) is lower than 530 the individual must take the Accuplacer to determine placement.
My scores qualified me to waive ENGL A 11, but I did not get credit for the class. I do not have enough Written Communications credits.If the ACT or SAT score places the student at the 200 level for English, the student will not need to take ENGL 111, but will not earn credit for it either. Because 6 credits are needed in the Written Communication category of the General Education Requirements either 2 classes must be taken or a CLEP test for English 111 must be passed in addition to the 200 level class taken.
I am told that my Accuplacer scores are not valid for placement. Why?You might have taken the test more than one year ago. Accuplacer scores must be less than one year old to be used for placement. The test is available in the UAA Advising and Testing Center in the University Center. It costs $10, is computerized and untimed, and can be taken during the hours of open lab testing. Check the Advising & Testing Center website for the current schedule and sites for test preview). The fee covers both English and Math placement. It can be taken twice in one semester.
Upon completion of the Accuplacer, the student is given a handout with the score and the courses for which the individual qualified.
My Accuplacer handout only lists Math results. Why?If a student placed at the ESL level, has very disparate scores between reading and writing, or if the student chose to re-test but only for reading or writing, not both, the handout will only display some of the scores. In such cases the student will receive a message on the handout to contact the College Preparatory and Developmental Studies department where they will speak to someone to determine the proper placement, sometimes based on a writing sample. Most students meet with someone from College Preparatory & Developmental Studies Department immediately following the Accuplacer test but their contact information does appear on the handout. (Profs. Sarah Kirk & Tara Smith are resources)
I failed a test, but I think I was really close to passing. What can I do - should I retest?As an advisor, you should also be aware of the Placement Guide that contains complete information on score breakdown and sequencing of courses. This is particularly important when a student asks you if you recommend he/she re-tests. Without knowing how close the student was to the next higher category, it would be very difficult to answer the question.
REMIND students they will be required, when classes begin, to provide proof of course eligibility (test score or proof of completion of pre-requisite class). The fact that UA Online allowed the student to register in a course for which he/she does not qualify does not mean she/he will be allowed to remain in the course.
Some of the tests I took should have given me credit for UAA classes. How does this work?Admitted students can obtain college credit through the use of CLEP and DANTES tests. Some of the tests equate to specific UAA courses, others do not but could still provide elective credit. The tests are available through the Advising and Testing Center in the University Center. CLEP tests are computerized and can be taken during open test lab hours. DANTES tests are paper/pencil and must be ordered so students need to make arrangements in advance. For cost and testing hours, consult the websites indicated above.
How do Advanced Placement tests work? Do they affect my GPA or full time enrolled status?High school students sometimes take Advanced Placement tests for certain classes. If the student attains a score of 3 or higher UAA grants college credit for the test. The complete online list of tests appears is also available on page 70 of the 2006-07 catalog.
There are not grades attached to the tests so they do not factor into the grade point average. Credit earned through the use of tests appears on the regular UAA transcript, provided scores were sent to Enrollment Services. The credit is not associated with a particular semester so students cannot use credit earned from a test to qualify for “full-time” status for the semester during which they tested.
Where can I get help with transcript evaluation?
(under construction) Advisors should know that the student applies for admission and MUST order his/her own transcripts to be sent directly to Enrollment Services or to the student who can deliver the transcript to Enrollment Services IF it is still sealed so it can be considered “official”. Suzanne Browner has evaluated transcripts at UAA.
A ballpark figure should be given as to the turnaround time for the evaluation to be completed so, if a student asks, the advisor will know if the wait seems normal or not.
How do I know if I can transfer credits from other institutions?There is a Transfer Credit Resource Site where you can look up which classes you can transfer from the school where you were granted credit. You can show the student how to access the site, or actually go to the student's school print the list for the student.
What do I need to know about petitions?Mary/Francine Feero made a CAFE presentation which was videotaped. You can request a copy by contacting Bogdan Hoanca at 786-4140 or via email at afbh@uaa.alaska.edu.
I am graduating next month/semester/year. What do I need to do to get ready?The Application for Graduation form is available online. You will need to fill out the form (you can do that online), print it, sign it, then bring it to your advisor for signature. Your advisor should do a degree audit with you, to make sure you have met all the requirements for the degree. Enrollment Service will do another audit on their side. Once you have the signatures on the form, submit it along with a $25 fee to Office of Enrollment Services, 3801 Old Seward Highway, Anchorage, AK 99503, or to P.O. Box 141629, Anchorage, AK 99514-1629. Their phone number is (907) 786-1480.
The deadlines for graduation are:
- Spring—September 15
- Summer—March 1
- Fall—May 1
I have already applied to graduate, but I will not meet all the requirements. Do I need to reapply?Students who apply for graduation and do not complete their degree requirements at the end of the semester must REAPPLY for graduation and pay a $25.00 fee.
I am taking classes at UAA, but I am told that I am not eligible for financial aid because I am not admitted. Why?Students need to be fully admitted in order to receive aid. One cannot be “non-degree seeking” but must be “admitted” (not have an incomplete file with admissions meaning a final transcript or something is still outstanding)
Faculty need to get continuous training on financial aid issues, which are complex and always changing. A brief explanation is needed of what it takes to continue getting aid and when the student will need to process an appeal. This is critical because, in some schools/colleges, faculty advisors may be asked to be a part of the financial aid appeal process so they will need to be familiar with the form (link to it?), where they sign, and what the signature means.
I did not receive financial aid, so I will not be attending classes I registered for. Do I need to drop them?Students are not dropped from classes for non-payment. Sometimes students getting financial aid assume the money comes and all is taken care of but an explanation of how it really works would be great. If the money does not come in, students need to drop courses they will not be attending or stop attending. Many think leaving means they cannot fail, but then, years later, they find a transcript with an entire semester of F’s.
Why do I have a hold on my record?Holds on student records prevent them from registering, dropping a class, printing their transcript, or anything. This, again, varies by school/college but in some cases the faculty advisor lifts the “academic advising hold” for new freshmen admitted on probation (based on the high school GPA being less than 2.5). Al Kastar, the head of Admissions is a good resource for the academic advising hold. Advisors should check with their own school/college to learn how it is handled -- locally or at the campus level.
