Advisement takes place on the second day of Summer Orientation. You first meet in a small group with a faculty adviser to discuss a variety of topics related to academic success at St. Norbert College, including courses typically taken during the first year, the General Education Program, the Academic Honor Code and the College's Writing Across the Curriculum program. It is helpful to review both the college catalog and the fall class timetable prior to this day.

Following the group meeting, you schedule a meeting with your adviser. The individual adviser sessions include a review of your high school record, responses to questions you have about the curriculum, and discussion of possible first-year courses. The determination of likely courses is based on your interests, probable major, course availability and need to fulfill General Education requirements.

Class Schedules
You will receive your fall semester schedule during the summer. The standard academic course load at St. Norbert College is four courses per semester (the equivalent of 16 credit hours). A typical freshman schedule contains two or three General Studies courses, a major course, and possibly an elective (if only two General Studies courses are taken).

Changing Class Schedules
Schedule modifications can be addressed when you meet with your permanent academic adviser the day before classes begin. Courses can be changed during a "drop-add" period which extends through the first week of classes.

A Special Note About the June Orientation Sessions
Advisers register students after each orientation session. Advisers do make an attempt to fill all classes evenly; however, keeping classes open for the final Orientation session in July is not always possible. If you are unable to attend a June session, you may not have first choice on class selection, but you will definitely get the classes you need. So while it is advantageous to attend a June orientation session, the final session also will meet your needs.

Early Advisement Meetings and Scheduling
Due to staffing and faculty availability, no special advisement meetings or early registration outside the Summer Orientation schedule can be arranged. If you are unable to make any of the orientation sessions scheduled, there will be an opportunity to meet with your academic adviser and register the day before classes start in August.

Summer Faculty Advisers
The faculty adviser you meet with during Summer Orientation more than likely will not be your permanent academic advisor. Summer faculty advisers are trained specifically to deal with new student scheduling. During Welcome Week in the fall, you will have an opportunity to meet with your academic adviser.

Language Placement Tests
Placement tests for modern foreign languages are taken online before you come to Summer Orientation. Testing is required if you plan to take a class in German, French or Spanish. You do not have to test if you've never taken any foreign language in high school, or plan to study Japanese or Russian. You do not need to study for the placement test. They are used only to assess your current level of knowledge so you can be properly placed in classes. You can find more information about the Language Placement Test on the Registrar's website.

The Writing Essay
During Summer Orientation, you are asked to write a 75-minute essay on a selected issue or topic. Students officially accepted into the St. Norbert College Honors Program and those in college credit program writing classes do not have to write the essay; however, they are still asked to check in with the writing program director.

In the essay, you demonstrate your ability to express ideas clearly and concretely in an organized way. Essays are read by faculty and assessed according to specific criteria of general college writing skills-clear focus and thesis, depth of content, organization, specific paragraph development, word usage, grammar and mechanics. Do your best on this essay. It helps us to place you appropriately within our curriculum.

If you have any questions about the writing sample, click here to go to our frequently asked questions area.  After you've read that, if you still have questions, contact the writing program director.

Special Needs for Placement Tests
If you have any special needs for taking the Writing Essay, please contact the Office of Academic Support Services at (920) 403-1321 before the day of testing to arrange services.

Math Survey and Placement
All students are required to take the math survey and placement test. Calculators may not be used during testing. This test helps us place you appropriately within our math curriculum. The Math Survey and Placement is taken at Summer Orientation. 

A Special Word About CLEP Tests
A CLEP (College Level Examination Program) test is an opportunity to get college credit for what you already know. These tests are not offered during Summer Orientation. Placement tests, however, are used to make sure you get into the appropriate class level. Regardless of whether you have taken a CLEP test, you are required to participate in the math and writing placement tests during Summer Orientation.