Current Transfer Students Want You To Know...

Over the years, we've talked to a lot of transfer students, and they often say "I wish I had known..." The information below gives you information that other transfer students think you should know before you transfer-this can help you decide if UNC Asheville is right for you and help you plan for a smooth transition to, and graduation from, UNC Asheville.

Before you apply

What is different about a Liberal Arts institution? All colleges are alike, right?

What majors, minors, and areas of study are offered at UNC Asheville?

I’m transferring from another institution within the UNC system-all of my course credits will transfer to UNC Asheville, right?

Is the ILS core curriculum the same as General Education at other colleges and universities?

What is a cluster? Is it a required part of the ILS?

I have completed (or will complete) General Education requirements at another UNC system university-do those meet the ILS requirements at UNC Asheville?

I have completed (or will complete) the North Carolina Community College Articulation Agreement (44-hour Core). Does that meet all of the ILS requirements at UNC Asheville?

I've heard about the Humanities requirements at UNC Asheville. What are they?

How will I know if my classes will transfer?

After you’ve been accepted

Is there a transfer to-do list or check list?

What’s the tuition surcharge and why should I know about it?

Do you have any tips for being successful at UNC Asheville?

I’ve been to college already so the embark orientation doesn’t apply to me, right?

Why is it imperative I attend embark orientation?

How are advisors assigned?

When can I be advised for my first semester?

Why do some students have to pay tuition and fees registering for classes?

When can I register for my first semester classes?

Is there a way to petition a transfer credit decision? What is the petition process?

If a course appears closed on-line, is it still possible to get in the class? If so, what is the process?

I’ve been admitted late and my transcripts aren’t here yet, how do I still register for classes?

Am I required to see my advisor every semester?

How do I contact my advisor and set up an appointment?

Who has to take an LSIC course and when should I take it?

I’m not sure how to use OnePort to register; are there any directions?

I tried to register and I got the message “You are not permitted to register at this time”. What should I do?

How do I know what my classification is?

I want to get into a class I can’t register for in OnePort. What do I do?

I registered for classes during Pre-registration or embark. When can I change my schedule again?

Once you're here

What is the difference between a “drop” and a “withdrawal”?

How will withdrawing from a class affect me?

Do I get my money back if I withdraw from a class?

What does it mean to be on academic warning?

What are UNC Asheville’s policies on Academic Suspension and Academic Dismissal?

Am I able to get my textbooks from the Bookstore if I’m waiting on a Financial Aid reimbursement?

How do I change my advisor?

What does the OneCard enable me to do?

I don’t live on campus so none of the programs and services are for me, right?

What do I do if I want to withdraw from UNC Asheville or take some time off?

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Before you apply

What is different about a Liberal Arts institution? All colleges are alike, right?
A liberal arts college or university is an institution of higher learning whose academic course of instruction is intended to provide general knowledge and interdisciplinary learning comprised of the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences, as opposed to professional or technical subjects. Visit our Strategic Plan

What majors, minors, and areas of study are offered at UNC Asheville?
There are 36 different major fields of study, 38 minor fields of concentration, and 7 additional program offerings. See the list of majors and minors for further details.

I’m transferring from another institution within the UNC system-all of my course credits will transfer to UNC Asheville, right?
Each of the 16 institutions within the University of North Carolina operate as individual universities with unique curricula, so no assumptions should be made about the way courses will transfer from one UNC campus to another.

Is the ILS core curriculum the same as General Education at other colleges and universities?
Not necessarily, because each college and university have unique curricula. UNC Asheville’s core curriculum, the Integrative Liberal Studies Program emphasizes the integration and synthesis of knowledge across traditional disciplinary boundaries and invites students to deepen their understanding of complex contemporary issues through interdisciplinary topics and courses. You can read more about the nationally recognized ILS online.

What is a cluster? Is it a required part of the ILS?
Students complete two Clusters at UNC Asheville. The first of these is the three-course Core Cluster in the Humanities. The second is the ILS Topical Cluster, in which students select from many possible thematic areas. In the Topical cluster, students complete at least three courses, but there are some rules about which courses may be counted. You can see the different Topical Clusters online.

I have completed (or will complete) General Education requirements at another UNC system university-do those meet the ILS requirements at UNC Asheville?
Please do not make this assumption. Since each UNC school has a different curriculum, we can't determine how your credits will transfer until you've been accepted. After you have been accepted to UNC Asheville, your transcript will be evaluated in the Registrar's Office.

I have completed (or will complete) the North Carolina Community College Articulation Agreement (44-hour Core). Does that meet all of the ILS requirements at UNC Asheville?

Students who complete the 44-hour Core automatically get credit for some, but not all, of the ILS. There's information about which requirements are completed through the 44-hour Core online.

I've heard about the Humanities requirements at UNC Asheville. What are they?

The Humanities Program aims to help develop men and women of broad perspective who think critically and creatively, and who communicate effectively. Toward this end it provides a course of study that encompasses past and present ideas and events concerning the individual, community, nature, and the divine, as well as the relationships among them. The program’s courses are interdisciplinary, incorporating insights and information from the natural and social sciences, as well as from the humanities.

How will I know if my classes will transfer?

After you have been accepted to UNC Asheville, your transcript will be evaluated in the Registrar's Office. Courses submitted for transfer credit are evaluated, and equivalencies determined by the Registrar's Office. In cases of doubt, equivalency may be determined by the chairs of appropriate departments. Once your transfer evaluation has been completed, you will be able to view the results online through OnePort.

After you’ve been accepted

Is there a transfer to-do list or check list?
Once you decide you are going to transfer to UNC Asheville, there are a couple of lists that will help you make sure you are on the right track to becoming a successful member of the campus community. Prior to attending embark orientation, follow the steps online. To get a jump on things, you can also check the First Things First list in the embark orientation handbook. It's always a good idea to review the Things to do before your advising appointment worksheet, too.

What’s the tuition surcharge and why should I know about it?
Effective with the fall semester of 1994, the North Carolina General Assembly instituted the tuition surcharge (Section 89 (b), Senate Bill 27, 1993 Session) which applies to all new undergraduates seeking a baccalaureate degree. For students earning a first baccalaureate degree, the surcharge will be applied to all hours in excess of 140 attempted hours. Attempted hours include all transfer hours as well as withdrawals, repeated courses and failed courses.
For students earning a second baccalaureate degree, or students with double majors, the surcharge will be applied to all hours that exceed 110 percent of the minimum hours required to earn the second degree or double major.
It's important to take this into consideration early! You can learn more from the Registrar's Office.

Do you have any tips for being successful at UNC Asheville?
Your academic success depends on many things--your time management skills, your note-taking strategies, your ability to prioritize, and more. Go to Academic Success Tips and the links will provide you with a variety of tips, strategies, and hints you can use to reach your peak academic potential.

I’ve been to college already, so embark orientation doesn’t apply to me, right?
You may not be new to college, but you are new to UNC Asheville – all colleges and universities are not alike! Success at UNC Asheville means taking advantage of all the opportunities offered to you as a new member of the university community. Embark orientation allows you to be advised, register for classes, meet people, get involved in student life, and find the assistance you need to succeed at UNC Asheville.

Why is it imperative I attend embark orientation?
Embark orientation provides essential information on the curriculum and services, advising appointments, registration for classes, face-to-face assistance with questions and concerns, and opportunities to discover how to truly connect with your new university. Take advantage of the program with the sole purpose of assisting you with a smooth transition to UNC Asheville.

How are advisors assigned?
In your first semester, you will be contacted via email so that an an academic advisor can be assigned from within your major area of interest. It usually takes a couple weeks into the semester to get all new transfer students assigned advisors. Once an academic advisor has been assigned to you, you will see him/her listed as your advisor when you visit the "View Student Information" link in OnePort.

When can I be advised for my first semester?

You will be contacted by our Transfer Coordinator to participate in a pre-advising session before embark orientation. The pre-advising session will provide the opportunity to get a jump-start on taking care of business before school begins so that you can make the most of your advising appointment during embark orientation this summer.

Why do some students have to pay tuition and fees before registering for classes?
Students who are new to the university, as well as continuing students who do not pre-register for classes (in April for Summer and Fall semester, or November for the Spring semester) may be required to pay tuition and fees before registering for classes. Once you are classified as a continuing student, this will not affect you (as long as you pre-register for classes)– your balance will be due by the posted deadlines (Dec. 15 for Spring, May 20 for Summer, and August 1 for Fall).

When can I register for my first semester classes?
You will be able to register for a few of your first semester courses after you have:

1. Successfully participated in a pre-advising session with our Transfer Coordinator and
2. Addressed all items on the embark orientation checklist (i.e., submit your enrollment deposit and immunization records, prepare to pay your tuition and fees, etc.).

If you do not participate in a pre-advising session, you will be able to register for your courses during embark once you have addressed all items on the embark orientation checklist.

Note: you must address all items on the embark orientation checklist before you will be able to register for your fall 2011 semester.

Is there a way to petition a transfer credit decision? What is the petition process?
Yes, there is a petition process for transfer credit decisions. Students seeking a substitution, exemption, or exception from ILS, Major, or University Requirements can submit a completed petition form.

If a course appears closed on-line, is it still possible to get in the class? If so, what is the process?
It may be possible to add a class that appears to be closed online by contacting the instructor of the class and gaining an online registration override to add the course. After the instructor enters the online override, you must log into OnePort and register for the class yourself. The granting of an online override does not mean you are registered for the course; it only means you have the ability to register for it during the add/drop period.

I’ve been admitted late and my transcripts aren’t here yet. How do I register for classes?
Do your best to register for classes that you have not already taken by utilizing course titles and descriptions from your previous institution.

Am I required to see my advisor every semester?
Yes, you are required to see your advisor every semester. This gives you the opportunity to discuss your major, classes, concerns, questions you may have, and make sure you are on track in terms of graduation. The only way to obtain your RAN (Registration Access Number) for registration is by meeting with your advisor.

How do I contact my advisor and set up an appointment?
Once you obtain the name of your advisor, utilize the campus directory located in the upper right corner of the main UNC Asheville web page. The directory will enable you to gain access to your advisor’s campus phone number, email address, and office location information.

Who has to take an LSIC course and when should I take it?
Freshmen and transfers should take an LSIC course during their first semester at UNC Asheville. To learn more about this requirement, visit the UNC Asheville Catalog. To see which LSIC classes are currently being offered, visit the the ILS website.


I’m not sure how to use OnePort to register; are there any directions?
There are directions on how to use OnePort online.

I tried to register and I got the message “You are not permitted to register at this time”. What should I do?
First, double check the semester's registration schedule and make sure you are trying to register at the right time (for instance, if you're a sophomore, but you're trying to register on the day assigned to juniors, you'll get this message). If that doesn't seem to be the problem, visit the OneStop Office for help.

How do I know what my classification is?
Your class status is determined by your earned hours (these are credit hours you have successfully completed, which include transfer credits):
Freshmen: 0-29 earned hours
Sophomore: 30-59 earned hours
Juniors: 60-89 earned hours
Seniors: 90 + earned hours

I want to get into a class I can’t register for in OnePort. What do I do?
Instructors can give you permission through OnePort if you are trying to register for a class and get one of these errors: Closed Class, Pre-Requisite, Co-Requisite, or Time Conflict. If an instructor gives you an online override through OnePort, you must go into OnePort and register for the class before the end of the Drop/Add period.

I registered for classes during Pre-registration or embark. When can I change my schedule again?
For Fall 2011, registration closes after Pre-Registration (April, for continuing students) and Embark (June, for new students).

While registration is closed, the Cashier's Office calculates bills, Financial Aid continues to work on aid packages, and Academic Administration examines the schedule to see if we need to cancel or add any new classes. OnePort reopens for registration a few days before the semester starts, and you can make changes through OnePort until the end of the Drop/Add period. For semester-specific information go to http://www.unca.edu/news/events/


What is the difference between a “drop” and a “withdrawal”?
You are only able to "drop" a class during the registration period, which occurs during embark and during the first five days of the semester, which is known as the "Add/Drop" period. When you "drop" a class, there is no record on your transcript that you ever had the class on your schedule.

If you wish to no longer be enrolled in a course after the "Add/Drop" period has passed, you will need to "withdraw" from a class. Whenever you withdraw from a course, the course title will still appear on your transcript with the grade of "W".

How will withdrawing from a class affect me?
"W" grades do not affect your GPA. However, they are calculated in your attempted hours, which can affect your financial aid eligibility and determine which bracket you are in for academic suspension and dismissal calculations. In addition, classes you have withdrawn from do not count in your "active enrollment", which can affect your ability to live in the residence halls.

Do I get my money back if I withdraw from a class?
You will not get a refund if you only withdraw from some of your classes. If you withdraw from your whole semester, you may get a percentage of your tuition and fees refunded, depending on the date of your withdrawal. For more information about refunds, contact the Cashier's Office.

What does it mean to be on Academic Warning?
A student whose cumulative grade-point average falls below a 2.0 at the end of any semester is placed on Academic Warning. This is not a punishment but a way of extending help to those in academic difficulty. Students who are on Academic Warning will be notified by the Advising and Learning Support Office that their schedules have been blocked and that they must see their academic advisors. Students are limited to 14 credit hours per semester and to one course per Summer term. See the UNC Asheville Catalog for more information.

What are UNC Asheville’s policies on Academic Suspension and Academic Dismissal?
Students must maintain a grade-point average at or above the following levels in order to be enrolled at UNC Asheville:

Things you should know once you are here at UNC Asheville.

Am I able to get my textbooks from the Bookstore if I’m waiting on a Financial Aid reimbursement?
Go to the Financial Aid office and discuss your situation with them – this is determined on a case-by-case basis.

How do I change my advisor?
If you have officially declared your major, you need to take a "Major Declaration" form to your Department Chair and request to be assigned to a new advisor. Once your Department Chair assigns a new advisor to you with this form, return it to OneStop for processing.

If you haven't declared your major yet, visit OneStop to get a "Request for an Advisor" form. OneStop advisors can assist you in finding a new advisor.

What does the OneCard enable me to do?
The OneCard is the official university ID that enables you to ride Asheville Transit for FREE, Check out Library materials, access Campus Recreation facilities, Rent-A-Car, Rent-A-Bike, etc. Go to OneCard for more information on additional services, general funds and more!

I don’t live on campus so none of the programs and services are for me, right?
Wrong! You have paid tuition and fees as a student, therefore all of the programs and services are available to you. Utilize everything you’ve paid for – Health & Counseling Services, Campus Recreation (outdoor trips, Bike Shop, intramurals, work-out facilities, fitness classes), tutoring, the Writing Center, the Math Lab, athletic events, clubs & organizations (in your major and interests), comedians, bands, and much, much more!

What do I do if I want to withdraw from UNC Asheville or take some time off?
Students planning to leave UNC Asheville before the withdrawal deadline in a semester for which they have registered for classes must complete the Student Exit Checklist and Request to Exit the University.

Students exiting the university after the withdrawal period must complete the Student Exit Checklist, Request to Exit the University and Petition for Late Withdrawal.

All of these forms are available on the Registrar's Office web site.