The DUS Navigator: Choosing a Major Step-by-Step

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A Step-by-Step Approach

Do you want a plan for navigating your first year?
Do you need a step-by-step approach to choosing a major?

If so, here's your time line:

FALL SEMESTER 2007
August	August 26: DUS College Meeting (new DUS students admitted for fall at University Park) August 27: Fall semester classes begin Complete Assessing Your Schedule by September 5 (the drop/add deadline).*
September	September 3: Labor Day (no classes; University offices are closed) September 5: Drop/Add deadline (last day to drop/add courses)* Read Some Common Misperceptions about Choosing a Major. Reflect on Six Important Things to Consider. Complete Relating Interests to Majors.
October	Complete Improving Your Grades. Complete Using a Degree Audit. Complete Qualifying for a College/Major. Make an appointment now to meet with your adviser before your first day to register. (Check your degree audit for your date.) Complete Planning a Schedule for Spring Semester before you meet with your adviser. Check Late Dropping a Course by November 16 (the late drop deadline).*
November	Bring all of your Navigator materials with you when you meet with your adviser to plan your fall schedule. November 16: Late Drop deadline (last day to late drop courses)* November 19–23: Thanksgiving break (no classes; University offices are open except Thanksgiving Day) Complete Relating Majors to Careers by the beginning of spring semester.
December	December 14: Fall semester classes end; Withdrawal deadline December 17–21: Final exams

*These dates apply to full-semester courses. Use the eLion Course Drop Dates application to check drop deadlines for courses on your schedule.

SPRING SEMESTER 2008
January	Read your Academic Review and follow your adviser's recommendations. January 14: Spring semester classes begin Reassess your schedule before January 23 (the drop/add deadline).* January 21: Martin Luther King, Jr. day (no classes; University offices are open) January 23: Drop/Add deadline (last day to drop/add courses)* Get involved in major/career activities.
February	Use the Majors Decision-Making Program (weighing major pros and cons).
March	March 10–14: Spring Break (no classes; University offices are open) Make an appointment now to meet with your adviser before your first day to register. (Check your degree audit for your date.) Complete Planning a Schedule for Fall Semester before you meet with your adviser. Check Late Dropping a Course by April 11 (the late drop deadline).*
April	April 11: Late Drop deadline (last day to late drop courses)* Bring all of your Navigator materials with you when you meet with your adviser to plan your fall schedule. Read Leaving DUS.
May	May 2: Spring semester classes end; Withdrawal deadline May 5–9: Final exams

*These dates apply to full-semester courses. Use the eLion Course Drop Dates application to check drop deadlines for courses on your schedule.

If you have difficulty following any of these steps, schedule an appointment with your adviser.