Welcome to the
General Academic Programs Department’s
College Meeting
for the
Blinn TEAM Program
08/27/10 With new slides about typical freshman schedules
Presenters
•Dr. Kriss Boyd
•Rudder Theater
Mr. Andy Gibson
•Rudder Forum
•Mrs. Katie Marek
•Heldenfels 100
•Mrs. Debbie Perez
•Heldenfels 200
•Dr. Russ Graves
•Koldus 110
2
Announcements
Freshmen with College Credit:
• Please have your Community College
transcripts sent to both A&M and Blinn to
facilitate accurate advising.
• Neither school can post college credit
from high school transcripts.
Announcements
Freshman (’14) Convocation
Sunday, August 29
Reed Arena - 2:30 p.m.
Convocation is the official beginning of new students' entry into the
Texas A&M University Community of Learners and Scholars. 4
Announcements
• You were given a copy of the TEAM Contract
• The contract contains the TEAM Program’s
terms and conditions reviewed this morning
• Submission of a signed contract is the only proof
of your attendance at this conference
• Submission of the contract will be addressed at
the end of this meeting
5
Typical TEAM Schedule – Business
(more info about course selection later in presentation)
• TAMU – 1st sem.
• Geog202
3 hr
• Stlc101/Mlsc 2 hr
TAMU – 2nd sem.
Mgmt105
3 hr
Kine198
1 hr
Blinn – 1st sem.
Math141
3 hr
Geol101
4 hr
Psyc107
3 hr
Blinn – 2nd sem.
Musc/Arts 3 hr
Econ202
3 hr
Hist or Pols 3 hr
6
Typical TEAM Schedule Engineering
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
TAMU 1st sem.
Geog202
3 hr
Stlc/Mlsc
2 hr
TAMU 2nd sem.
Psyc/Soci
3 hr
Endg105
2 hr
Blinn 1st sem.
Math150
4 hr
Chem107
4 hr
Hist/Pols
3 hr
Blinn 2nd sem.
Math151
4 hr
Phys218
8 hr
7
Typical TEAM Schedule – Life
Science
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
TAMU 1st sem.
Anth205
3 hr
Stlc101
2 hr
TAMU 2nd sem.
Chem101/111 4 hr
*Kine198/Ag101 1 hr
*depends on major
Blinn 1st sem.
Biol 111
4 hr
*Math141or147 3-4 hr
Hist/Pols
3 hr
Blinn 2nd sem.
Biol112
4 hr
*Math142or148 3-4 hr
Psyc107
3 hr
8
Typical TEAM Schedule – Liberal
Arts/Educ/General
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
TAMU 1st sem.
Blinn 1st sem.
Anth205
3 hr
Biol 111
4 hr
Stlc101/Ugst181 1-2 hr Math141
3 hr
Hist/Pols
3 hr
TAMU 2nd sem.
Blinn 2nd sem.
*Geog203
4 hr
Musc/Arts
3 hr
Kine198
1 hr
*Math142/Phil240 3 hr
*depends on major
Psyc107
3 hr
9
Purpose of the
University Experience
• To better understand the world
• To learn to accomplish complicated tasks
• To develop the ability to function as self sufficient adults
• To create lifelong learners
(Note: One purpose of TEAM is to provide more students the
opportunity for a four-year university experience.)
10
University Structure
UNIVERSITY
Texas A&M University
COLLEGE
College of
Agriculture & Life Science
DEPARTMENT
Dept. of Biochemistry
and Biophysics
MAJOR
Genetics
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Colleges
Agriculture &
Life Sciences
Architecture
General Academics
Engineering
Texas
Geosciences
A&M
Business
Education &
Human
Development
University
Liberal Arts
Science
Veterinary Medicine
12
Our Goals for TEAM Students
• Facilitate students’ transition to full admission
at A&M
• Help you “prepare to declare” your major
• Maximize students’ career options through
careful course selection
• Allow students to graduate without taking
excessive hours
– Excessive hours can lead to extra semesters
13
Cost of an Extra Semester
Tuition & fees:
Books & supplies:
Room & Board:
TOTAL:
$4, 207
$ 675
$4,004
$8,886*
Graduating on
Time: PRICELESS!
* Future value of $8,886 at 5% after 25 years = $30, 091
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What is My Major?
•Major defined: A subject or field of study chosen by a
student to represent his or her principal interest, and upon
which a large share of the student’s efforts are concentrated
•Your major while participating in TEAM is “TEAM”
•You will not declare a specific, degree-granting major until
you are fully admitted at A&M, but you should be narrowing
your choice and eventually follow the curriculum for your
chosen future major
•At Blinn you will be asked to declare a major in the
event you decide to pursue an Associate Degree along
the way
15
If You’re Undecided, You’re Not Alone!
• 65-85% of all college
students change their
majors during their
academic careers!
• Academic Advisors are
available to assist
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Advising = GPS
Global knowledge of Texas A&M University
(Student Counseling Service,
Scholarships & Financial Aid)
Positioning students to declare
a major
(Change of Curriculum
Requirements, Degree Plans)
Systems to help students succeed
(Processes, Referrals)
17
When should I
meet with an
Academic
Advisor?
18
TEAM Advising Locations
• A&M Advising:
– General Academic Programs Department
• Hotard Hall, 3rd Floor
– Blinn Advising & Counseling Center
• Blinn Science Building, room S-157 (selected hours)
• Blinn Advising:
– Blinn Advising & Counseling Center
• Science Building, room S-157
19
Come on in…
Hotard Hall
20
General Studies (GEST) Website
http://gest.tamu.edu
Important Notice Area
21
Make an Appointment
• To make an appointment at A&M go to:
http://gest.tamu.edu
– If unsure of available times, call the office at
979.845.5916
• To make an appointment at Blinn go to:
Science Building room S-157
– Call 979.209.7588
22
Tips For
Academic Success
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Employment
•Less than 15 hours per week
•Look into work study & other on-campus work
opportunities
•http://hireaggies.tamu.edu
•Work in Bryan/College Station area
•Work for necessary items only
24
Extracurricular Activities
•Over 800 recognized organizations
•Great way to meet new friends
•Develop leadership skills
Limit your involvement to one activity
during your first semester
25
Time Management
15 hrs class + 25 hrs study = 40 hr work week
SUN
AM
MON
TUES
WED
THURS
FRI
8:00
Breakfast
Breakfast
Breakfast
Breakfast
Breakfast
9:00
GEOG 202
STUDY
GEOG 202
STUDY
GEOG 202
TRANSITION
STUDY
TRANSITION
STUDY
TRANSITION
11:00
STUDY
STLC 101
STUDY
STLC 101
STUDY
12:00
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
MATH 1324
TRANSITION
MATH 1324
TRANSITION
MATH 1324
GEOL 1403
STUDY
GEOL 1403
STUDY
GEOL 1403
HIST 1301
GEOL LAB
HIST 1301
STUDY
10:00
PM
1:00
Breakfast
Lunch
2:00
3:00
4:00
STUDY
GEOL LAB
5:00
STUDY
GEOL LAB
6:00
Dinner
Dinner
Dinner
TRANSITION
Dinner
7:00
STUDY
STUDY
STUDY
Dinner
STUDY
8:00
STUDY
STUDY
STUDY
STUDY
STUDY
9:00
STUDY
STUDY
STUDY
10:00
STUDY
11:00
Dinner
SAT
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
activity
activity
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Succeed During Your Freshman Year
•KEY TO SUCCESS IN TEAM:
•Remember that you are enrolled at two separate
schools; there are two different sets of rules!
•Check your A&M & Blinn email daily
•Read all TEAM listserv correspondence
•Practice good time management
•Join a student organization
27
How to Calculate a GPA
Grade Points
• Grade points are earned
per credit hour
A=4
B=3
C=2
D=1
F=0
•
•
•
•
GPA Hours
Total hours attempted
Don’t include classes
taken S/U or pass/fail unless you fail the class
S/U classes received the
grade of “S” for a “C” or
better
S/U classes receive a
“U” for a “D” or worse
28
How to Calculate a GPA
Formula:
Grade Points ÷ GPA Credit Hours = GPA
13 ÷ 4 = 3.25
Successful Student Example:
Class
GEOG 202
KINE 198
TOTAL
GPA Credit Hours
Grade
3
1
4
B (3)
A (4)
Grade Points
3 x (3) = 9
1 x (4) = 4
13
29
How to Calculate a GPA
Formula:
Grade Points ÷ GPA Credit Hours = GPA
7 ÷ 4 = 1.75
Scholastic Probation Example:
Class
GEOG 202
KINE 198
TOTAL
GPA Credit Hours
Grade
3
1
4
D (1)
A (4)
Grade Points
3 x (1) = 3
1 x (4) = 4
7
30
Importance of 1st Semester Grades
Semester
Hours
Grades
Fall ’10
4
1.75
Spr ’11
4
2.50
Fall ’11
4
3.25
Spr ’12
4
4.00
TOTAL :
16
2.87 *
* Student does not successfully complete TEAM Program
31
First Year Grade Exclusion
GEOG 202
KINE 198
F#
A
3 hours
1 hour
• Semester credit: 1 hour / A&M GPA: 4.00
• Total Grade Exclusions: 3
• The final grade is permanently recorded on the transcript
with a Grade Exclusion symbol (#).
32
Q-Drop
GEOG 202
KINE 198
Q
A
3 hours
1 hour
• Semester credit: 1 hour / A&M GPA: 4.00
• 3 Q-drops allowed (1 hour classes do not count)
• Deadline to Q-drop is the 50th class day
• Drops during the first 5 days are NOT Q-drops, they are
schedule adjustments
• Dropping your only course at A&M is actually a withdrawal
from the university!
33
Remember: 2 Separate Schools,
2 Different Sets of Rules
• Grade Exclusions are only at A&M
– Blinn allows students to replace a grade by repeating the course
• However, TEAM academic standing includes ALL Blinn grades earned,
so repeating a course will not erase the grade
• Never repeat a course without consulting an academic advisor
• Q-Drops are only at A&M
– Blinn’s drops are called “W’s”
– The drop deadline at Blinn is Friday of the 12th week
(about 2 weeks later than at A&M)
34
Your A&M Class Schedule
• Most students were pre-registered for a Core Curriculum
course:
• Without knowledge of your future major or college credits
• In anticipation of limited course selection in August
• Some of you changed your schedule at a Blinn Advising Day
• Many students were registered for US History or Global
Geography
• US HIST is required of all majors, GEOG 202 or Anth 205 are
usually a “safe” choice:
• No AP or Dual Credit for this course
• Counts toward most majors
• Usually covers 2 Core Curriculum requirements
• If you need to change your schedule, you are allowed to35do
so (tomorrow)
Your A&M Class Schedule
•
If you are only registered for a 3-hour course, consider
adding a 1 or 2 hour course:
•
•
•
•
•
Corps of Cadets: ROTC course (2 hr)
STLC 101: Application of Learning Theory (2 hrs)
• Teaches learning strategies for success in college
• Counts as an elective in most majors
KINE 198 or 199 (1 hr)
• Core Curriculum requirement
Freshman Seminar [UPAS] (1 hr)
Introductory “101” course for a particular major (1 hr)
• i.e., AGLS 101 for future Agriculture & Life Science majors
36
Your A&M Class Schedule
• TEAM students are limited to 5 credit hours at A&M each
semester
– Exceptions:
• Corps may take 6 A&M hours if the required ROTC course is 3 hours
• Students who complete 15 total hours in a semester may ask permission
to take 6 A&M hours the following semester
• Schedule must include a “solid academic course”
– ( 3 or 4 hour Core Curriculum or Degree-Applicable course)
• ROTC and 1 & 2 hours courses are NOT solid academic courses
• There is no need to take exactly 5 credit hours
• Always allow 1 hour between classes when you change
37
campuses during the day
The Blinn TEAM Contract
• Your signed TEAM contract is the only proof of your
attendance at this mandatory conference.
• Failure to submit a signed contract will result in your
schedules being dropped!
• DO NOT LEAVE THE CONFERENCE WITHOUT
TURNING IN YOUR CONTRACT
38
Advisement & Registration
• If you need registration assistance, your signed
contract is your ticket to meet with a Blinn or A&M
advisor in the morning.
• Present your contract at the Student Computing
Center (SCC) at the designated time:
Corps of Cadets = 8:00
Green = 8:00
Purple = 9:00
Pink = 10:00
Blue = 11:00
39
Instructions
• If:
– You are satisfied with your class schedules, and
– You do NOT need registration assistance,
• Then:
– You have completed the New Student Conference
• TURN IN YOUR SIGNED CONTRACT
BEFORE DEPARTING THIS ROOM
40
Registration / Schedule Adjustments
• You may make your own schedule changes (online):
– A&M:
• Tomorrow (8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.)
• Aug 27- Sep 3.
– Blinn
• Now - Sep 3.
41
Registration / Schedule Adjustments
Corps of Cadets: 8:00
Green: 8:00
Purple: 9:00
Pink: 10:00
Blue: 11:00
IF YOU WILL NOT BE HERE TOMORROW, TURN IN
YOUR SIGNED CONTRACT NOW!
42
Registration / Schedule Adjustments
•
•
•
•
•
8:00
8:00
9:00
10:00
11:00
Corps of Cadets
Green
Purple
Pink
Blue
43
Announcements
Please silence your phone
Please remain seated for
the entire presentation
44
Announcements
Complete the Freshman Survey!
45