Advising and Placement Testing

Advisement takes place prior to winter orientation. 

You’ll meet with your individual advisor and discuss your high school and/or college record, questions you have about the curriculum and possible courses. Together with your advisor, you’ll determine likely courses based on your interests, probable major, course availability and core curriculum requirements.

Class Schedules
You’ll receive your schedule during your advisement meeting. The standard academic course load at St. Norbert is four courses per semester (the equivalent of 16 credit-hours). A typical first-year student schedule contains two or three general/core courses, a course in your major and possibly an elective (if only two general/core courses are taken).

Changing Class Schedules
You may change courses during the “drop-add” period of the semester, which extends through Thursday of the first week of classes.

The Writing Placement Essay
We ask that you complete a written essay prior to attending Winter Orientation. Find more information about the written essay on the writing placement website.
 
In the essay, you should 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, paragraph development, word usage, grammar and mechanics. Do your best on this essay. It helps us place you appropriately within our curriculum.

If you have any questions about the writing sample, just contact the writing program director.

The Modern Language Placement Exam
Students will take the modern language placement exam during Winter Orientation. If you have any questions about the exam, please contact Ann Hintz.

Special Accommodations for Placement Tests
If you have any special accommodations for taking placement tests, Academic Support Services is available to help. You can reach them at 920-403-1321 before the day of testing to arrange services.

Math Survey and Placement
All students 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 test is taken during winter orientation.