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I'm thinking about coming to ETSU. I've received paperwork from ETSU - What do I do next? Where do I go from here? Am I in time for the term in which I want to enroll? What's supposed to happen? And when?
Whether you are a First-Time Adult or a Transfer Student, the place to begin your paperwork is, of course, with the ETSU Office of Admissions. Once you click on their link, you'll find the telephone numbers, names and locations of Admissions Counselors who are ready and willing to start you on the road to admission to ETSU. They even have an on-line process by which you can apply for admission via computer. When you speak with the Counselors in Admissions, they'll provide you with necessary applications and forms and discuss possible majors and scholarship options. Among other vital information, they'll let you know which transcripts you must arrange to have sent to the Admissions Office. These official transcripts must come directly from your former high school or other institution directly to ETSU Student copies are not acceptable. After you've been admitted to ETSU, you'll begin receiving information from other areas like the Office of Student Life and Enrollment for New Student Orientation. Depending upon when you apply to ETSU, you will begin hearing from various ETSU offices at different times.
If the process has you confused, don't feel lonely, come and see us at the Division of New Student and Family Programs. We specialize in assisting Students, as they seek to gain understanding about what should happen and when. -
I want to talk face-to-face with someone who will help me pull everything together - Who do I speak with and what can they tell me?
Perhaps you are not sure about what you want to be when you grow up - again! Perhaps you need to find a place to live. Perhaps you have received some information from ETSU and you aren't sure what it means. Maybe you're just lost in the process. Come and see us! We specialize in helping students pull it all together. If we don't have the information you need right away well make it our business to help you find the answers and/or office location(s) you need. We can be reached through various methods: Telephone us at 423-439-4899; Email us at ricejm@etsu.edu; Locate us on the 3rd floor of Burgin Dosset, room 303.
Chances are we've got the help you need! -
How will I know what classes to take? When do I have to decide upon a major? Why do I have to attend orientation and what is it anyway?
Every New ETSU Student must be advised as to which classes they must take in order to receive a degree. New ETSU Students will receive their initial advisement during ETSU Orientation . During the Orientation program, Students receive massive amounts of information and finish with their class schedule in hand. The University does its best to provide each Student with tools needed to get off to a solid start, so there are opportunities to hear about Financial Aid , meal plans from Dining Services , residence halls from the Office of Housing and the ability to get your Student ID from I.D.Bucs . In addition, this is a great time for the University to let you know about the many support systems that can mean the difference between mediocre grades or A's.
NOTE: All Students who have earned less than 60 hours must be academically advised before registering for classes. A listing of Academic Advisors is published in the Success Manual You Can Do It , which is available online.
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I've heard that parking is a chore at ETSU - where will I park my car?
If you are a visitor to ETSU, get your temporary parking permit by stopping by the Public Safety Office (off University Parkway between West Pine and West Locust Streets) then you can park in either Student or Faculty/Staff lots. Parking lots designated for Students are identifiable by spots painted with gold swipes; those for Faculty/Staff are marked with spots of blue swipes.
Student parking decals are paid for as part of your tuition and fees. Depending upon the time of day you arrive on campus, you might have to park some distance from your class site. However, every parking place is within walking distance of campus buildings; simply utilize time management skills. The only place you'll be virtually guaranteed a good parking place at the last moment is if you take advantage of Carpool parking. Two Carpool lots are conveniently located: one lot is found across the street from the Administration building, or Burgin Dossett, and the other Carpool spots are next to the Tennis Courts, beside the Warf Pickel building. The Office of Disability Services can help if you need special assistance with parking. The A.C.T.S. Office maintains maps of ETSU and the region as well as transit schedules for Johnson City Public Transit, which provides transit from campus to multiple locations across the city.Click your way into our Commuter pages for more specific information about what is available for Commuters at ETSU!
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I'm moving - Where's the best place to start looking? What's around or near the University? What is available on campus and off campus?
Of course, the best place to live depends upon your individual needs. Only YOU can make that ultimate decision. The ETSU Housing Office has multiple Student housing opportunities, ranging from single occupancy-living to housing suitable for family-living. NOTE: All housing is based on availability.
Sometimes notably during bad weather - you might need a place to stay overnight, especially if you have a long distance and are not able to travel. For whatever reason you find need for overnight stay and it is after hours, call Public Safety at (423) 439-6200. Public Safety Officers will help arrange for emergency housing through coordination with the ETSU Housing Office, for a minimal fee. ETSU is able to set you up with a place to safely spend the night for less than the price of a motel!To continue your investigation for housing on or around campus, search the Off-Campus Housing link. We list updated notifications from area landlords, posting listings on apartments, condos, townhouses, homes and rooms to rent. NOTE: Listings are updated on a regular basis.
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I have lots of financial questions - Is there help to pay for classes and books? Are there payment options? What does it cost? Are there jobs?
How to pay for school is the single most concern for many Students. Federal Student Aid, usually referred to simply as Financial Aid, is the primary monetary resource for ETSU Students outside of family support. Financial aid consists of grants, loans and student work programs. If you want to know whether or not you are eligible for these programs, fill out the FAFSA (Federal Application for Federal Student Aid). Don't assume that you will or will not receive federal Student Aid the only way to know for sure is to fill out and submit the application.
Each application covers the academic year that's from the start of the fall term through the spring term until the end of the summer term. However, the financial information you must enter on each FAFSA is from the most recently completed calendar year that's January through December of a given year. The entire financial aid process can be quite confusing. When in doubt, ALWAYS check with your Financial Aid Counselor. They are the professionals who make it their business to keep up with rapidly changing rules and regulations and they don't get to keep money that Students aren't eligible to receive.
Student work at ETSU exists on a couple of levels. First of all, remember to complete your FAFSA. Results of your FAFSA will determine your eligibility for Federal Work Study (FWS.) This program usually requires about ten hours of work each week at various offices around campus; you're paid twice a month. What you can earn each semester depends upon the hours worked and upon how much money you are eligible to receive from the financial aid process. Regular Student Work positions (RSWP) are harder to find because each office pays 100% of the salary, unlike FWS which has monetary input from Financial Aid.
ETSU has a Scholarship Office. When in doubt, go ahead and apply for Scholarships for which you think you may be eligible you don't want to forfeit aid by NOT applying! Scholarship applications are available at the Admissions Office, in the Financial Aid Office and in the ARC. Student Life and Enrollment guides the Re-entry Student Scholarship, which has a deadline of July 1 st each year. The Re-Entry Scholarship focus is on the Student as a Caregiver. The term "Caregiver" is defined as any Student who may care for an Elderly, as well as those who have the responsibility to care for children.
ETSU offers a payment option where for the price of $50 for the fall and spring terms, you may pay half of your tuition and fees up front (not books), and then pay the second half in two equal installments. How much is tuition? You'll have to check with the Bursar's Office to be sure. It's directly related to how many class hours in which you are enrolled. In these rapidly changing budget times, the price of tuition and fees is subject to change. To find out what the prices were for the last semester, link onto the Bursars web page. As soon as the University knows what fees will be for each upcoming semester they will be posted.
The costs associated with attending ETSU can include both direct and indirect costs. Please review ETSU's Cost of Attendance for more details.
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I never was the greatest writer and/or mathematician I'm worried that I might not be able to handle it - where can I get some academic support?
One point which many First-Time and Transfer Students are unaware of is that there is a vast array of resources and assistance at ETSU for Students who want to become better at studying, writing, understanding math and other academic challenges. For assistance, the Center For Academic Achievement (CFAA), located in the Sherrod Library, offers a range of options for tutoring from online tutoring to group sessions. When you bring in your assignments to show where you are confused or struggling they will help you find your way. There are even discipline specific programs, such as the N.U.R.S.E. Center where Nursing Students have a wonderful opportunity to get help with their nursing academics.
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What can I do to make my application more competitive with future employers and/or Professional Schools? Are there organizations where I can find other Students with similar interests? What is there to do socially? How do I find out about activities & events?
Employers want to know many things about you, in addition to whether or not you are able to do the job. The ETSU University Career Services and the Office of Professional Development are the places to begin. However, you have probably heard how important it is to get involved with outside activities during your college career. Its not just rhetoric. Become a part of one or more of the 100 groups supported through the SORC (Student Organization Resource Center). Being involved and invested provides Students with an opportunity to meet and know others on campus, while growing and learning in multiple facets. Its one thing to be able to look up a persons name in the phonebook. It's not only important to know who to go to for information and help, but to have a previously developed relationship. One never knows when they might need an advocate. The Office of Multicultural Affairs is charged with the responsibility for creating and fostering a campus-wide climate of respect for each individual, advocating for a culturally diverse non-discriminatory campus community. The Gospel Choir and the Black Affairs Association are just two of the organizations supported and administered through the Multicultural Affairs Office.
If you want to find out what is going on at ETSU, take a look at the University Calendars on the main ETSU website. Current Students should also read the East Tennessean, (the ETSU student newspaper) or read the many flyers posted throughout campus each semester.
Several academic departments have organizations that are tied to their respective fields. Departments and colleges like the College of Business, the Communications Department, Social Work and many others also have discipline-specific organizations check with your major.
The Center for Physical Activity was designed with the user in mind. Programs are available in five areas: fitness, intramurals, non-credit instruction, outdoor adventure, and sports clubs. Facility times are set aside on a daily basis for self-directed recreational activities. Previous athletic participation or high skill levels are not prerequisites for becoming involved in some type of physical activity or recreational sport.
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I'm transferring to ETSU. I could use some help with the process - What should I do next?
Our office - Student Life and Enrollment - specializes in helping Transfer Students to pull the whole process together. Call and make an appointment to see us by calling 423-439-4899. We concern ourselves not only with the application process, which begins with the Office of Admissions, but also with visits to various local colleges like Northeast State Technical Community College, Walters State Community College, Pellissippi Community College and others. There are Transfer Articulation Agreements in place, which can help as you determine equivalencies with completed courses before you apply to ETSU to continue pursuit of your Bachelors degree. Well tell you all about Orientation, Financial Aid, Scholarships, Tutoring and Advisement .Even if you're only thinking about transferring to ETSU - were here to foster a successful transition!
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I've got family and child care responsibilities - Where and what is available?
Student Life and Enrollment maintains a county-by-county listing of Day Care facilities in the Tri-Cities area. You can get a copy by coming to our office on the 2 nd floor of the D.P. Culp University Center. These are only listings, so we strongly recommend you check each one over and verify their credentials.
On campus inside Warf-Pickel is where you will find the Student Child Care facility, Little Bucs. The difference between Little Bucs and a Day Care Center is that Little Bucs is for the children of ETSU Student Parents and is open when classes are in session including designated evening hours. Another ETSU Child Care facility is the Child Study Center, which is located on J.L. Seehorn Jr. Road, across from the main ETSU campus.
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If I go back to school, I won't have any medical insurance - What if I get sick? Where do I go? What are my options?
The ETSU Health Clinic is the place to begin if a Student feels ill. They take currently enrolled Students on a walk-in basis. Some services require an appointment, but there is no charge for visits to the clinic. Brochures and applications for Student Health Insurance are available through the Office of Student Life and Enrollment located on the 3 rd floor of the D.P. Culp University Center.
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My question's not here. Who do I ask?
As you might imagine, it is impossible to ask and answer all possible questions in the space allotted to this frequently asked questions format. Student Life and Enrollment is one of the few centrally-located offices at ETSU where you can come for answers to a wide variety of questions and receive a variety of resources. If we don't know the answer, we will do our best to get you to the assistance you need. Whether you are an Adult, Commuter, Transfer, New, Current or Prospective Student, let us help you be on your way to success! We can be reached not only via the web, but also by calling (423) 439-5641. In addition, visit the Need Help? link on the ETSU Home website. This link has answers to selected topics and includes contact names, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses for various offices and departments around campus.
Higher Education Glossary of Terms
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A
Academic advisor:
A member of a school's faculty or professional staff who provides advice and guidance to students on academic matters, such as course selections and degree requirements. They can also serve as excellent campus resources for other campus services. Some academic advisors are professional advisors -- being an academic advisor is their full-time job. Many professional academic advisors have specialized educational backgrounds in college student development and the adult learner.Academic year:
Annual period during which a student attends and receives formal instruction at a college or university, typically from August or September to May or June. The academic year may be divided into semesters, trimesters, quarters, or other calendars.Accredited:
Official recognition that a college or university meets the standards of a regional or national association. Some professional programs (e.g., nursing, business, and engineering) may also be accredited. Although students are not required to attend an accredited college, employers, other schools, and governments worldwide often only recognize degrees from accredited schools.Associate Degree:
An undergraduate degree awarded by a college or university upon successful completion of a program of study, usually requiring two years or the equivalent) of full-time study. An associate's degree is typically awarded by community colleges; it may be a career or technical degree, or it may be a transfer degree, allowing students to transfer those credits to a four-year bachelor's degree-granting school. Common degree types include Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Science (A.S.) or Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) and generally require a program of 60-62 college level credits.Audit:
To take a class to gain knowledge about a subject, but without receiving credit toward a degree. -
B
Bachelor Degree:
An undergraduate degree awarded by a college or university upon successful completion of a program of study, typically requiring at least four years (or the equivalent) of full-time study. Common degree types include Bachelor of Arts (B.A. or A.B.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.), or a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (B.I.S.). A typical bachelor’s degree requires 120-135 college level credits. A bachelor's degree is required before starting graduate studies. -
C
Campus:
The grounds and buildings where a college or university is located.Catalog:
An official publication of a college or university giving information about academic programs, policies, faculty, and services. The catalog is updated annually.Certificate:
A college certificate is a quickly obtained credential awarded by an educational institution. Often lasting just a few months, certificate programs are shorter than two-year associate or four-year bachelor’s degree programs and usually allow students to enter the workforce much more quickly.College:
A post-secondary institution that typically provides only an undergraduate education, but in some cases, also graduate degrees. "College" is often used interchangeably with "university" and "school." Separately, "college" can refer to an academic division of a university, such as College of Business.Community college
A public, two-year post-secondary institution that offers the associate degree and certificates. Community colleges typically provide a transfer program, allowing students to transfer to a four-year school to complete their bachelor's degree, and a career program, which provides students with a vocational degree and direct entry to the workforce.Corequisite:
A course that must be taken during the same term as another course. The course content in the two courses is complimentary. For example, a science laboratory course is a co-requisite to the corresponding science lecture course.Course:
A regularly scheduled class on a particular subject. Each college or university offers degree programs that consist of a specific number of required and elective courses.Credits:
Units that a school uses to indicate that a student has completed and passed courses that are required for a degree. Each school defines the total number and types of credits necessary for degree completion, with every course being assigned a value in terms of "credits”. Most courses are offered for 3 credits. The number of credits typically reflects the number of classroom hours per week. -
D
Degree:
A diploma or title awarded to students by a college or university after successful completion of a program of study.Department:
A division of a school/college, made up of faculty and support staff that gives instruction in a particular field of study, such as the history department.Drop:
To withdraw from a course. A college or university typically has a period of time at the beginning of a term during which students can add or drop courses. This is a specific process and students should consult with their academic advisor to ensure the process is followed correctly. Students who simply stop attending a course are NOT dropped from the course and will receive a failing grade. -
E
Electives:
Courses that students can choose to take for credit toward a degree, but are not required. Most degree programs have one or more elective courses included.Enroll:
To register or enter a school or course as a student.Exempt:
Not required to do something that other students may be required to do. For example, a school may require all students to take a freshman English course, but some students may be exempt based on their college entrance exam scores or their previous coursework. -
F
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid):
Application used by U.S. citizens and permanent residents to apply for financial aid from U.S. federal and state governments. International students are not eligible for U.S. government aid, but schools may ask international students to submit a FAFSA to determine financial need. There is NO COST to apply for financial aid using the FAFSA. https://fafsa.ed.gov/External linkOpens in a new window or tab.Freshman:
A student in the first year of high school or college/university. A student’s age has no bearing on being classified as a “freshman.” To progress to sophomore status, a student must achieve a minimum number of credits.Full-time student:
A student who is enrolled at a college or university and is taking at least the minimum number of credits required by the school for a full course load. Typically, enrollment in 12 credits is considered to be full-time; however, students may need to enroll in more credits per semester to complete the program as a full-time student. -
G
General Education Courses:
(Gen Eds.) A broad, common foundation of study upon which to develop skills of oral and written communication as well as critical thinking and logical and scientific reasoning. Most General Education courses are taken during the freshman and sophomore years.Grade:
A score or mark indicating a student's academic performance on an exam, paper, or in a course.Grade point average (GPA):
A student's overall academic performance, which is calculated as a numerical average of grades earned in all courses. The GPA is determined after each term, typically on a 4.0 scale, and upon graduation, students receive an overall GPA for their studies. The college catalog contains examples of the GPA computation.Graduate school:
The division of a college or university, or an independent postsecondary institution, which administers graduate studies and awards master's degrees, doctorates, or graduate certificates. Typically, students must earn a bachelor’s degree in order to be considered for graduate school.Graduate student/graduate studies:
A student who already holds an undergraduate degree and is pursuing advanced studies at a graduate school, leading to a master's, doctorate, or graduate certificate. A "graduate" can also refer to any student who has successfully completed a program of study and earned a degree or certificate.Grant:
A type of financial aid that consists of an amount of money given to a student, often by the federal or a state government, a company, a school, or a non-profit organization. A grant does not have to be repaid. -
H
Humanities:
Academic courses focused on human life and ideas, including history, philosophy, foreign languages, religion, art, music, and literature. -
I
Independent study:
An academic course that allows students to earn credit for work done outside of the normal classroom setting. The reading or research assignment is usually designed by the students themselves with the help of a faculty member, who monitors the progress. Credit can vary from 1-12 or more credits.Institute:
An organization created for a specific purpose, usually for research, that may be located on a college or university's campus. -
J-K
Junior:
A student in the third year college/university. To progress to senior level status, a student must earn a minimum number of credits. -
L
Liberal arts:
Academic studies of subjects in the humanities, social/behavioral sciences, and the natural sciences, with a focus on general knowledge, in contrast to a professional or technical emphasis.Loan:
A type of financial aid that consists of an amount of money that is given to someone for a period of time, with an agreement that it will be repaid later with interest accumulating. Loans may be through the federal government or a private loaner. Interest rates vary. International students are generally not eligible for U.S. federal government loans and will typically require an American cosigner to apply for a private bank loan. -
M
Major:
The academic subject area that a student chooses to focus on during his or her undergraduate studies. Students typically must officially choose (or declare) their major by the end of their sophomore year, allowing them to take a number of courses in the chosen area during their junior and senior years. Students should meet with their academic advisor to complete any required paperwork related to choosing a major.Master's Degree:
A graduate degree awarded by a college or university upon successful completion of an advanced program of study, typically requiring one or two years of full-time study beyond the bachelor's degree. Common degree types include Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Science (M.S.); Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.), Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.), and Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.).Midterm exam:
An exam given after half of the academic term has passed and that covers all material studied in a particular course until that point. Not all courses have midterm exams.Minor:
An academic subject area that a student chooses to have a secondary focus on during their undergraduate studies. Unlike a major, a minor is typically not required, but it allows a student to take a few additional courses in a subject different from his or her major. -
N
Nonresident:
A student who does not meet a state's residence requirements. A college or university may have different tuition costs and admissions policies for residents versus nonresidents. In most cases, international students are considered nonresidents. -
O
Orientation:
A college or university's official process of welcoming new, accepted students to campus and providing them with information and policies before classes begin, usually in a half-day or full-day or an online event. Generally, students register for their first semester courses at orientation and have the opportunity to meet with their academic advisor. -
P
Part-time student:
A student who is enrolled at a college or university but is not taking the minimum number of credits required for a full course load.Pass-fail:
A grading system in which students receive either a "pass" or "fail" grade, rather than a specific score or letter grade. Certain college or university courses can be taken pass-fail, but these typically do not include ones taken to fulfill major or minor requirements. Students must complete all of the required assignments and complete all of the tests in the course.Placement test:
An exam used to test a student's academic ability so that he or she may be placed in the appropriate courses in that field (e.g., foreign languages). In some cases, a student may be given academic credit based on the results of a placement test.Portfolio:
A selection of a student's work compiled over a period of time and used for assessing performance or progress within a course.Prerequisite:
A required course that must be completed before a student is allowed to enroll in a more advanced one.Prior Learning Assessment:
(PLA) A process used by regulatory bodies, colleges and universities to evaluate skills and knowledge acquired outside the classroom for the purpose of recognizing competence against a given set of standards, competencies, or learning outcomes. Students may receive credit that is equivalent to a specific course. Examples include: Advance Placement examinations, departmental examinations (challenge exams), military credit, College Level Examination Program courses (CLEP), and portfolios.Priority date:
The date by which an application must be received in order to be given full consideration. This can apply to admissions, financial aid, and on-campus housing. After the priority date passes, applications may be considered on a case-by-case or first-come-first-served basis.Probation:
A status or period of time in which students with low GPAs, or whose academic work is unsatisfactory according to school standards, must improve their performance. If they are unable to do so, they may be academically dismissed from the school. -
Q-R
Registrar:
The college or university official who is responsible for registering students and keeping their official academic records, such as transcripts.Registration:
The process in which students choose and enroll in courses to be taken during the academic year or in summer sessions. -
S
Scholarship:
A type of financial aid that consists of an amount of free money given to a student by a school, individual, organization, company, charity, or federal or state government. Often, a student’s exceptional academic achievement is the basis for such an award.Semesters:
Periods of study that divide the academic year into two equal segments of approximately 15 weeks each (e.g., fall and spring). Some schools also offer shorter summer semesters, in addition to the traditional academic year.Seminar:
A course offered to a small group of students who are typically more advanced and who meet with a professor to discuss specialized topics and writings.Senior:
A student in the fourth year of college/university. To progress to senior level status, a student must have earned a minimum number of college credits.Sophomore:
A student in the second year of college/university. To progress to sophomore level status, a student must have earned a minimum number of college credits. -
T
Term:
Periods of study, which can include semesters, quarters, trimesters, or summer sessions.Thesis:
A formal piece of writing on a specific subject, which may be required to earn a bachelor's or master's degree. The thesis is generally written in the student’s final term.Transcript:
An official record of a student's coursework and grades at a high school, college, or university. A high school transcript is usually one of the required documents of the college application process. Veterans may be required to submit military transcripts (JST, DD214, etc.) for evaluation.Transfer credit:
Credit granted toward a degree on the basis of studies completed at another college or university. For instance, students who transfer from a community college to a four-year college may have earned some transfer credit.Tuition
An amount of money charged by a school per term, per course, or per credit, in exchange for instruction and training. Tuition generally does not include the cost of textbooks, room and board, and other fees. -
U-Z
Upper Division:
A unit of credit earned during the Junior and Senior years. Upper division credits will typically begin with a number of “300/3000” or “400/4000”. Example: BUS 4995 Corporate Management.Undergraduate student/undergraduate studies:
A student enrolled in a two-year or four-year academic program at a college or university after graduation from high school, leading to an associate or bachelor's degree.