Orientation Advising FAQs
Creating your first-semester class schedule is an exciting step to starting your time at Baylor. During this Orientation Advising appointment, your advisor will register you for classes based on your declared major and will take into account any dual credit and AP scores that you’ve submitted. The appointment will last about 30 minutes. Although your advisor will do their best to consider your schedule preferences, options for class times may be limited. Getting a necessary class on your schedule is more important than trying to register for a preferred time or preferred section.
Orientation advising appointments are held via Zoom. Please make sure you have a strong internet connection and are in a quiet location where you can turn on your video. Log in with a laptop or desktop to ensure you can see the documents your advisor will share with you. You also should send any completed dual credit transcripts, AP scores, or ACT/SAT scores to Baylor ahead of time and note any pending credit on the New Student Advising Questionnaire. Consider determining which Chapel section interests you (see below). If you need the Math ALEKS, Chemistry ALEKS, or Modern Language Placement Exam, it is to your benefit to make as much progress as possible on these before your advising appointment.
If you have completed AP scores earned prior to your senior year of high school, make sure your scores have been sent to Baylor through your College Board account. If your AP scores have been posted successfully, you can view them in goBAYLOR.
If you have pending AP scores from your senior year, please note this pending credit on the required New Student Advising Questionnaire (found in goBAYLOR).
If you have already earned college hours, request to have your college transcript sent directly from the college where you took those courses to Baylor. Electronic copies are accepted through a secure source (i.e. Parchment, Naviance, TRex, Slate.org, Scribbles, National Clearinghouse, SCOIR and Greenlight). If the electronic service requires an email address, please have the company email documents to admissions@baylor.edu. Electronic transcripts are received in 3-5 days. Paper transcripts may be mailed to Undergraduate Admissions and are received in 2-4 weeks.
Once your dual credit has been processed, you can view it on your unofficial Baylor transcript. Go to Bearweb > Student Academic Services > Student Records > Transcripts > Unofficial > Unofficial Screen Optimized >Transcript Level: Undergraduate.
Test scores can be sent through the College Board or ACT student website. Baylor's SAT code is 6032, and Baylor's ACT code is 4062. It takes about 10-14 days for Baylor to receive SAT scores, and 2-4 weeks for ACT scores. Even if you applied test optional, submitting your test scores can help you qualify for certain courses, such as MTH 1320, MTH 1321, or CHE 1301/1101. If your ACT/SAT scores have been posted already, you can view them in goBAYLOR.
Students needing MTH 1320 or 1321 must have a qualifying SAT/ACT score or have a qualifying score on Math ALEKS. Students also can qualify for MTH 1321 by having a B- or higher in MTH 1320. It may take several attempts to reach the required score, so it is to your benefit to start the ALEKS as early as possible.
If you are waiting for Calculus AP or IB scores, your advisor may recommend that you complete Math ALEKS so that you can put MTH 1320 or 1321 on your fall schedule until you know your scores. You can make further schedule changes after your scores are received.
Students needing CHE 1301/1101 must have a qualifying SAT/ACT score or a qualifying score on Chemistry ALEKS. Chemistry ALEKS is a series of learning modules you work through. Once at least 85% of the learning modules are completed, you may register for CHE 1301/1101. You may need to spend up to 20-30 hours to work through the learning modules, so you should start on Chemistry ALEKS as early as possible.
If you are waiting for Chemistry AP or IB scores, your advisor may recommend that you complete Chemistry ALEKS so that you can put CHE 1301/1101 on your fall schedule until you know your scores. You can make further schedule changes after your scores are received.
All students in the College of Arts & Sciences must demonstrate proficiency through the 2310 level in a modern or classical language or through the 1302 level in two classical languages. Because it can take several semesters to complete the language requirement, students are advised to start their language as early as possible.
Regarding Spanish ONLY: Students wanting to take Spanish must take the Spanish MLPE before registering, even for those who want to start at the first level. In order to register for Spanish for the fall, students should have this completed before their advising appointment.
Students are required to complete two semesters of chapel in order to graduate. Advisors will register students for a chapel their first semester. Baylor Spiritual Life offers several different types of chapels, including chapels based on unique communities or interests, to help students find a chapel that is the best fit for them. To help your advisor place you in an appropriate chapel, please take the Chapel Buzz Quiz and explore the Schedule of Classes (CHA prefix) before your advising appointment. If the chapel you want is full this semester, you may need a back-up option. You will be able to choose a different chapel in future semesters.
Your advisor will register you for a full schedule during your advising appointment. If you need to make changes to your schedule later, you will be able to start making changes to their schedules on July 5th. Click here for instructions on how to add/drop classes, and use the Schedule of Classes as needed. You should check with your advisor before dropping your New Student Experience (NSE), courses for your major, language courses, or courses related to any prehealth goals.
Baylor Foundations provides online modules that will answer many questions about Baylor, and students should complete these modules before attending their advising appointment. Baylor’s website also provides a search tool that can help you find the answer or relevant resource related to your questions.