First Year Experience

Academic Orientation: Other Important Information

bulletAdvising and Enrollment

The academic advising process will occur in several settings scheduled throughout the entire Orientation program. It is important that you attend all activities planned for you.

Closed Classes

Students and their families should be aware that the University commitment to high quality classroom experiences dictates the closing of classes when enrollment in a specific section (time) is at capacity. However, most course offerings are available at a variety of different times (sections) so that a closed section usually means a student will be able to take the course at a different time. If all sections of a particular course are closed, please be assured that every student will have the opportunity to enroll for a full load of classes.

Language Placement

Foreign language competency opens a door to the global culture in which we live. Study of one or more languages is encouraged for all students. Many majors stipulate that one must complete a certain number of credits in a foreign language. TCU offers French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish language instruction.

Students with academic or life experience in a foreign language are urged to enroll at a level appropriate to their skills. In order to encourage students to enroll in a first course appropriate to their ability, TCU offers the following incentive-based placement policy:

Students whose first language class at TCU is beyond the first-semester level may earn additional language credit (if credit has not already been awarded for transfer, CLEP, or AP work) as follows:

  • If the first foreign language class is at the second semester level (10163) and a grade of B or higher is earned, three semester hours credit will also be awarded for the first-semester course (10153).
  • If the first foreign language class is at the third semester level (20053) and a grade of B or higher is earned, six semester hours credit will also be awarded for the first and second semester language courses (10153 and 10163).
  • If the first foreign language class is at the fourth semester level (20063) and a grade of B or higher is earned, nine semester hours credit will also be awarded for the first, second, and third semester courses (10153, 10163 and 20053).
  • If the first foreign language class is beyond the fourth semester level (numbered 30000 or above) and a grade of B or higher is earned, nine semester hours credit will also be awarded for the second, third, and fourth semester courses (10163, 20053 and 20063).

If the student takes a foreign language class at a level beyond the first one and earns a C or D, no additional credit will be awarded, but the student will be deemed to have satisfied the foreign language requirement of TCU's core curriculum consistent with the level of the course passed. For example, if a student's first foreign language class at TCU is at the fourth semester level (20063), and the student earns a C as the final grade, the student will not receive additional credit, but will have satisfied the foreign language requirement at the sophomore level.

To determine proper placement level for Spanish language classes, there is no formalized placement examination. Students should familiarize themselves with the level and class descriptions on the department's website (www.span.tcu.edu) to determine the appropriate level. Additionally, the Spanish faculty are happy to consult with students on a case-by-case basis. The Department of Spanish can be reached at 817.257.7366 or by visiting their main office in Reed Hall 202 when on campus.

To determine proper placement level for all other language classes, students can also consult the web page of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures (www.mola.tcu.edu) for information about placement and descriptions of available courses. If students have studied three or more years of a language in high school, they should consider starting with the third or fourth semester level. It is appropriate to consult with a faculty member who teaches the language the student is interested in studying about individual placement. The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures can be reached at 817.257.7355 or by visiting their main office in Reed Hall 224 when on campus. For the study of French and German only, there is a placement test available. Please consult www.mola.tcu.edu for details.

Additional credit may also be earned by means of exams administered by the College Board (AP or CLEP). Please consult the TCU Credit by Exam booklet, available through the Office of Admission, for details.

Student considering a major in Spanish should bear in mind that 10000 and 20000 level courses do not count toward a major. However, 20000 level courses do count toward a minor. Note: students entering the program at a certain level mmay not receive credit for course work taken below that level.

Math Placement

In order to be placed in the appropriate level of mathematics, students will need to bring the following documents to the orientation advising session:

  1. A copy of your high school transcript of a copy of a report card showing the highest level of mathematics completed in high school.
  2. A copy of your SAT Math score.
bulletMedical Requirements

Immunization and Health History

Bring your completed Report of Medical History form and a copy of your immunization record with you! All students attending TCU for the first time must complete a Report of Medical History form, including a record of immunizations. The record should include dates of the required measles immunization and TB test. You will receive the Report of Medical History form in the mail along with your confirmation for Academic Orientation and Frog Camp.

Two doses of the measles (Rubeola) vaccine, two doses of mumps vaccinations and a Mantoux/TB skin test are required. The TB test must have been administered within one year of the start of classes in August, so a test done before mid-August 2006 will be too old. Many doctor's offices will administer this test without charging for an office visit. A Meningitis vaccine is recommended, though not required.

You will be able to register for classes while at Orientation if your medical history form is not completed. However, if a completed form is not returned to the Health Center BEFORE the start of classes in August, students may be dropped from their classes and have a hold placed on their student accounts.

More information can be found on the Health Center's website at healthcenter.tcu.edu.

Health Insurance

Undergraduate students registered for nine or more hours are required to have health insurance through either the University-offered plan or an individual/family plan. International students, regardless of classification, are required to carry the University-offered plan as a minimum standard of coverage. If you have a family/individual policy that will remain in effect throughout the 2007-2008 academic year, you must waive the University-offered plan by September 5, 2007. If not waived by the deadline, the student will be auto-enrolled and billed for the University-offered plan. To WAIVE the University-offered policy, please visit healthcenter.tcu.edu

bulletUniversity Post Office Box
During Orientation you will have the opportunity to rent your TCU post office box. There is an annual fee for post office box rental of $48. The rental period begins May 15 and runs through May 15 of the following year. (If you live on campus, you will have no other way of receiving USPS mail. FedEx and UPS will deliver to campus residence halls.) University policy requires that all students maintain a local address.
bulletMore information

Schedule for Academic Orientation
Travel Information
Packing List for Academic Orientation