We are so happy you chose to come to Georgia Southern University! We know you probably have questions about the Advisement & Registration process at Georgia Southern. Your first step is to sign up for new student orientation (SOAR). You can find additional information below as you find your path to academic success!
Math Placement
For students majoring in the sciences, mathematics, health professions, engineering, and computing
Math classes are particularly foundational for students majoring in the sciences, mathematics, health professions, engineering, and computing. To ensure you are successful, we want to make sure you are being placed in the right math class for you. The most reliable ways for us to determine math placement for students in these majors include:
- ACT or SAT Scores
- Earned college credit (through dual enrollment or an exam, like AP, IB, CLEP, etc.)
- Math Placement Exam
If you have not taken the ACT/SAT or earned college credit for math, we strongly encourage you to take one of those exams (if one is available) or to sign up for one of our math placement exams below:
MyMathTest (free)
For this placement exam, you’ll need to complete the MyMathTest placement module, including the Algebra Placement Exam, the Trigonometry Placement Exam (if wanting to place into MATH 1441 Calculus I), and study modules. To register:
- Go to www.mymathtest.com, click Student, and then OK! Register now and follow the instructions on the screen to create an account.
- Enter your Program ID: XL4N-812J-401Z-80W2
- Enter your access code: WSSMMT-BOREE-TAINE-DISHY-FRACK-FAKES
- You are allowed 3 attempts on the test to place into MATH 1112/1113 and an additional 3 attempts on the test to place into MATH 1441.
ALEKS ($30)
For this interactive review course and placement exam, you will need to complete the initial diagnostic, 10 hours of work in the modules, and then the final assessment test. To register:
- Go to aleks.com and select Sign Up in the upper right-hand corner.
- Enter your Class Code: RD34U-DGQXC
- Create your account with a username and password or log in with an existing account.
- Select “No, I need to purchase an access code”, and pay with a credit card or PayPal ($30).
- You are allowed 5 attempts on the test to achieve your desired placement score.
For students in all other majors
You will be placed in the math most relevant and appropriate for your major. The Office of Admissions will notify any student who is required to take the Accuplacer for math placement.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I receive my schedule?
You will receive your schedule on or before your SOAR session depending on when you submit your Advising & Scheduling Preference form. You will be provided an opportunity to ask questions about your schedule and advising during the session as well.
When will I receive my RAN (Registration Access Number)?
- Summer-Start Freshmen: You will receive your RAN with your schedule, but will not be able to use it until the day of your SOAR session. If you’d like to request a schedule change before then, you can fill out the Schedule Change Request form sent to your GS email.
- Fall- and Spring- Start Freshmen: You will receive your RAN with your schedule. You will have a chance to practice registration/adjust your schedule on the day of your SOAR session, and then you will not be able to use it again until a few days before classes start. The main reason for this is to help students stay on track to progress within their chosen major. Too often students remove a course without speaking to an academic advisor and this can negatively impact progress toward graduation. Think of this as an extra safety net!
- Transfer and Adult Learners: You will receive your RAN after your advisor has registered you for your first semester of classes. You will have the ability to move around courses, however, we do recommend you ask your academic advisor to check over your schedule if you do make any changes!
I have earned transfer credit at a previous school. How do I know if it will count toward my degree at Georgia Southern?
When you receive your course schedule, your advisor will also provide you with advisement documents that will tell you exactly how your incoming credit places within your major at Georgia Southern. Before then, however, you can use our Transfer Equivalency Tool to get a sense of what this might look like for you.
Keep in mind: If you’ve taken a class at another institution and don’t see it in this tool, it may just mean that we’ve never evaluated that class before. You may still earn credit for it, but we won’t know for sure until you’ve signed up for SOAR and sent that course to the appropriate academic college for evaluation.
Can I make changes to my schedule?
The courses on your schedule were chosen for you based on required courses, progression in your selected major, preferences, and incoming course credit. Additionally, there are some programs with limited options for courses that students need to progress. Academic advisors are trying their best to create schedules that will allow ample time to study and/or work. We cannot make changes for students who are wanting a different professor or time of day. If you have concerns about the amount of hours you are taking, accessibility needs, or online vs. on-campus, please express these to your academic advisor. They will make accommodations when possible.
- Summer-Start Freshmen: You will be able to adjust your schedule beginning the day of your SOAR session. If you’d like to request a schedule change before then, you can fill out the Schedule Change Request Form sent to your GS email.
- Fall- and Spring-Start Freshmen: You will have a chance to practice registration/adjust your schedule on the day of your SOAR session, and then you will not be able to use it again until a few days before classes start. The main reason for this is to help students stay on track to progress within their chosen major. Too often students remove a course without speaking to an academic advisor and this can negatively impact progress toward graduation. Think of this as an extra safety net!
- Transfer and Adult Learners: You will be able to adjust your schedule as soon as you receive it, however, we do recommend you ask your academic advisor to check over your schedule if you do make any changes!
Why does my advisor recommend 15-17 credit hours?
- Boost your GPA! Students who take 15+ hours do better than those who take fewer. Students are more focused, productive, and manage their time better. Also, data from Georgia Southern (and across the state) shows that students who take 15-17 credit hours each semester have a higher GPA!
- Save money! If you take 12 hours each semester with no summers, it will take you 5 years to graduate. This will end up costing you more in the long run. Plus, tuition maxes out at 15, so your 16th, 17th, 18th credit hour is free!
- Get your degree! Students who take 15-17 hours per semester are more likely to graduate! Life gets in the way, funds run out, family members get sick – the longer you take to graduate, the less likely you are to graduate.
What is FERPA?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a federal law to protect student records maintained by the institution. The intent of this legislation is to protect the rights of students and to ensure the privacy and accuracy of education records. Unless students complete a FERPA Consent form allowing parents/guardians to have access to their educational records, University officials will not be able to discuss student records. Students may complete a FERPA Consent form to authorize release of their educational record information to specific individuals named in the release by completing the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Consent form in the Student’s Personal Setting menu in their MyGeorgiaSouthern account.
Advising & Scheduling 101
We are excited for you to join us for our Academic Advising session during SOAR! You will be able to meet your advisors from your college and leadership from the Center for Advising, Retention and Completion to answer many of your burning questions. Don’t know what to ask? We have provided you with a list of sample questions below to get you started!
- How many times will I see my academic advisor each semester?
- Does my major require me to complete a minor?
- Will I have time to get to my classes with only 15 minutes in between classes?
- Are professors accessible outside of class?
- Is it normal to feel overwhelmed?
- Will I have the chance to complete an internship?
- What is popular to do on campus?
- What should I do to prepare for my first year in college?
- How is Georgia Southern different from my previous institution?
- Is there a limit on the amount of times I can change my major?
Tips for Academic Success
Verify Your Attendance
Georgia Southern needs to know if you plan to take the courses you are enrolled in. To do this, you will complete a short verification quiz in each one of your classes. If you do not complete these, you will be automatically dropped from the course(s). This could have Financial Aid implications, so you will want to make sure this gets done.
Add / Drop Period
The first four days of fall or spring semesters are your opportunity to make changes to your schedule. Contact your Academic Advisor if you want to make any changes to your class schedule. Summer and minimester courses have a shorter add/drop period, so make sure to check the official academic calendar!
Know How Your Courses Are Structured
Before you start classes, make sure you know how your courses are structured. Is your schedule fully face-to-face? Is there a mix of hybrid or fully online? You can learn how this course is structured in several different ways.
- Review the course description on the Georgia Southern course search.
- Contact the faculty member of the course.
- Check your courses in Folio closer to the start of the semester.
Become Familiar with Your Academic Support Team
If you need accommodations while attending GS, make sure you speak with the Student Accessibility Resource Center! You will also want to familiarize yourself with the Academic Success Center. They offer tutoring, peer mentoring and workshops!
Academic College Information
Click on your college of interest below to learn more about their programs! If you are unsure about which college your major(s) of interest is a part of, click here.
Learn More About Our Colleges