Wheaton College Advisor's Guide: Navigating Your Academic Journey

Embarking on your college journey at Wheaton College is an exciting step. To ensure a smooth transition and successful academic experience, understanding the advising system and registration process is crucial. This guide provides essential information for both incoming and current students to navigate their academic paths effectively.

First Steps for Incoming Students

Registration Time Ticket

After completing the First-Year Student Questionnaire, you will receive a "time ticket" indicating the specific time and date when your online registration will open. This ticket will be posted on your Banner account under "Registration Status." Make sure to check your Banner account regularly for this information.

CORE 101 Requirement

All incoming students are required to register for a section of CORE 101 during the Fall term. This course is a foundational element of the Wheaton curriculum, providing a shared academic experience for all first-year students.

Introductory Courses for Your Intended Major

It is highly recommended that you take the introductory course(s) for your intended major. These courses will provide you with a solid foundation in your chosen field and help you determine if the major is the right fit for you. To assist you in planning your coursework, Wheaton College provides Major Academic Plans (MAPs). These MAPs show a preferred sequence of courses from the first year through graduation. Reviewing different MAPs can help you envision your liberal arts experience. Utilize the MAP Worksheet to plan out your semesters effectively.

Language Requirement

Wheaton College has a Modern/Classical language requirement for most students. If you have not yet met this requirement, it is advisable to continue studying the language as early as possible to maintain your language skills. The requirement can be fulfilled in several ways:

Read also: Navigating Your Future

Qualifying Score on an Exam: A qualifying score on an AP, IB, or SAT Subject exam can satisfy the language requirement.
Testing in a Non-Taught Language: Students proficient in a language not taught at Wheaton College may take a test. Contact the Modern & Classical Languages Department for test options and fees.
Coursework at Wheaton: Students who choose to study a language at Wheaton are required to pass the 201 course of French, German, Greek, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, or Hebrew with a grade of C- or better.

Understanding Credit and Requirements

AP US History Exam: The AP US History exam does not fulfill Wheaton's Christ at the Core Historical Perspectives requirement. However, if you are a history major, it will count towards your major requirements. Otherwise, the 4 credits earned will count toward the 124-hour degree requirement as elective credit.
Historical Perspectives Requirement: The Historical Perspectives requirement can be met with any course that has the Historical Perspectives (HP) tag.
Core Competency Requirements: Any of the Core Competency requirements can be met with AP, SAT Subject, IB, and dual enrollment credit.
Thematic Core Requirements: You can meet up to four Thematic Core requirements with incoming credit.
Shared Core Requirements: None of the Shared Core requirements can be met with incoming credit. Shared Core courses are expected to be completed at Wheaton College.

Checking Your Transferred Credits

AP and IB scores are typically received around July 5th, and the college aims to have them entered by July 7th. To view what credits have been entered, check your Degree Works audit program, which is available in your student portal.

Decoding the Course Schedule

Day Abbreviations: The course schedule uses one-letter abbreviations for days of the week. "R" represents Thursday, and "T" represents Tuesday.
Quad Courses: Some 1 and 2-credit courses meet for only half of a semester. These are designated as "A Quad" courses (meeting during the first half) and "B Quad" courses (meeting during the second half). A Quad courses end at fall (or spring) break, and B Quad courses begin after fall (or spring) break. The Quad designation is found in the "Qd" column of the course schedule.

Important Reminders for All Students

Official Notices

Official notices for students, faculty, and staff are published in the “Announcements” section of the Wheaton Portal. This is where you will find information about how, when, and where to register.

Competency Through Testing

If you plan to meet a competency requirement through testing, do not register for the corresponding course.

Thematic Core Requirements

You are required to meet all 10 Thematic Core requirements, but not necessarily during your first year. These requirements can be fulfilled throughout your four years at Wheaton.

Waitlists

Being on a course waitlist does not guarantee you a space in the course. If a registered student drops the course, the seat is offered to the next student on the waitlist.

Read also: Tuition and Fees at Wheaton

Transfer Credit Policies

Pre-Approval for External Courses

Current students who wish to take courses outside Wheaton College for credit must submit a Transfer Credit Approval form and receive pre-approval before registering at another institution. While transfer guides are available as a resource, pre-approval is mandatory.

Submitting Transcripts

To receive credit for courses taken elsewhere, you must request an official transcript from the awarding institution to be sent directly to Wheaton College. Students with International Baccalaureate credit should request transcripts to be sent after results are released. Students with Cambridge Exams will need to provide the Centre Number, Candidate Number, and Series (month and year of exam) for each Cambridge Exam.

Transfer Credit Limits

Wheaton College has a transfer cap of 40 hours earned from all sources (AP, IB, SAT II, Dual Enrollment, etc.) prior to high school graduation. A maximum of 4 categories in the Thematic Core can be met by transfer credit. All credits accepted for transfer will still go toward the total hours needed to graduate, even if not meeting a specific requirement.

Specific Course Requirements

If a course taken outside Wheaton is intended to meet a requirement for a major, minor, or certificate, a faculty advisor from that department must approve the course by signing the Transfer Credit Approval form. Oral Communications, Modern and Classical language, and lab courses must be taken in person. It is the student’s responsibility to find courses and request preapproval.

Major Academic Plans (MAPs)

A MAP is a guide for undergraduate students that shows the recommended sequence of classes for a major. As you consider your major at Wheaton, the following links help you review what a major might look like. These Major Academic Plans (MAPs) show a preferred sequencing of courses from the first year through graduation. We recommend using the table below to compare different MAPs to help you envision what your liberal arts experience might look like. Use the MAP Worksheet to plan out your semesters. Important Note: Students who intend to become high school teachers will declare two majors: 1) the academic area with teaching and 2) secondary education.

Seeking Further Assistance

Scheduling a virtual meeting with an advisor is simple and highly recommended to address any specific questions or concerns you may have.

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