Advising FAQ

Advisors and Advising

How do I find out who my advisor is?
You can look on Web Advisor to see which faculty advisor you have been assigned to.  Advisors in the Academic Advising Center are not assigned to students.  However, each advisor has a specialty area in one or more colleges.  You can request a specific advisor when you schedule your appointment.

How should I prepare for my advising appointment?
If your questions are related to requirements and registration, you should bring a current copy of your program evaluation to your advising meeting, along with a list of questions you would like to ask.  If you are coming for Study Abroad advising, it is important that you come with a list of courses you would like to take at your host institution, along with a current copy of your program evaluation.

How can I change advisors?
Faculty advisors are assigned by the individual departments.  Sometimes students feel that a faculty member in a specific specialty area, or one with whom they have taken several courses, is a better fit for them.  Whatever the reason, students should contact the department office to request to be assigned to another advisor.

Where do I go for pre-law advising?
Dr. Art Blaser, in the Political Science Department is our pre-law advisor.  For more information, consult the pre-law website.

Where do I go for pre-med advising?
Dr. Virginia Carson in the Biological Sciences Department is our pre-med advisor.  For more information, consult the pre-med website.

Registration Issues

I have a hold on my record, what should I do?
When you log in to WebAdvisor, click on "registration eligibility" to view any hold you may have.  This screen will tell you what the hold is, and which office has placed it.  You will also see a phone number to call for more information on the hold.  Common holds are from the Business Office, Health Center, and Academic Advising.

Can I drop a course?
This depends on the date.  You can drop a class via WebAdvisor within the first two weeks of the term without record of enrollment.  Between the third and tenth weeks of the term, you can withdraw from a course via WebAdvisor, with a "W" recorded on your transcript.

Does a "W" affect my GPA?
No, W's are not calculated in your GPA.

Graduation Requirements/Program Evaluation

When I met with my faculty advisor, he/she substituted a class for a required course in my major.  Why doesn't it show up on my program evaluation?
When a substitution or waiver has been made, your faculty advisor must email the Registrar's Office at das@chapman.edu.  Your evaluator will then make the change on your program evaluation.

I took a class that should double count between my major and GE, but it is not showing under the GE portion of my program evaluation.  What should I do?
To have a course that you have already taken, or that you are currently enrolled in, double count for the major and GE, you must fill out a GE Course Useage form and submit it to the Registrar's Office.

How many classes do I need to be full-time?
Twelve credits is considered to be a full-time load.  Most students achieve this by taking four 3-credit courses.

How do I change my major?
You can change your major by filling out a Change of Major/Minor form and submitting it to the Registrar's Office through your Chapman email account.  Some programs require the signature of the department chair - signed forms should be submitted to the Registrar's Office via fax, mail or in person.  Once you have submitted a form, you should go to the department and request a faculty advisor.

What is a minor?  Do I have to declare one?
A minor is a concentrated area of study in a department and lets a student develop a secondary area of knowledge in a subject related to a chosen major or personal interests.  Most minors require 18-24 credits, and are offered by almost every department.  Although a minor is not required for graduation, it's important to note that the completion of a declared minor will waive the Inter/Multidisciplinary Cluster under the 07/08 GE program.  For more information on how to fit a minor into your program of study, see an advisor.

How do I transfer courses from another College to Chapman?
Chapman has articulated courses with a number of schools across the country.  If you plan to take a GE or major course at another institution, it is highly recommended that you consult the articulation agreements on WebAdvisor and/or an academic advisor prior to enrolling.  Once you complete the course and a grade is posted, you must send an official copy of your transcripts to the Registrar's Office.

Some of my transfer courses show up as 0TR/1TR/3TR on my program evaluation.  What does this mean?
Courses that are not direct equivalents to Chapman courses are given the "TR" designation.  The number corresponds to the level of the course.  0TR courses are given no graduation credit - typically these are remedial or prep-level courses.  1TR is a lower division transferrable course, and 3TR signifies and upper division transfer course.

Academic Difficulty

What should I do if I'm failing a course?
If you are not doing well in a course, your first plan of action should be to meet with the instructor and ask for advice on how to improve.  You are also encouraged to seek tutoring from the Tutoring, Learning and Testing Center.  If this course of action does not help improve your grade, you may withdraw from the course.  Withdrawals can be done on WebAdvisor or in person at the Registrar's Office through the first ten weeks of a regular term (see the academic calendar for specific deadlines).  Failing to attend class does not constitute a withdrawal and will result in a grade of "FW," which is calculated as an "F" in the GPA.

What is academic probation?
Any student whose term or Chapman GPA drops below 2.0 will be placed on academic probation.  Students on academic probation may enroll in no more than 14 semester credits each term they are on probation.  In addition, students on academic probation are required to meet with an advisor in the Academic Advising Center for guidance and assistance with methods of improving their GPA.

What is academic dismissal?
Any student whose term or Chapman GPA has not reached at least 2.0 for two consecutive semesters is subject to academic dismissal from the university.  Students who wish to appeal an academic dismissal must demonstrate both extraordinary circumstances explaining the unsatisfactory academic performance and a likelihood of success if allowed to continue at Chapman.