Incoming Students

We are so happy you chose to come to Georgia Southern University! We know you probably have questions about the Advisement & Registration process at Georgia Southern. Your first step is to sign up for new student orientation (SOAR). You can find additional information below as you find your path to academic success!

When will I receive my schedule?

You will receive your schedule on or before your SOAR session depending on when you submit your Advising & Scheduling Preference form. You will be provided an opportunity to ask questions about your schedule and advising during the session as well.

When will I receive my RAN (Registration Access Number)?

• Summer-Start Freshmen: You will receive your RAN with your schedule, but will not be able to use it until the day of your SOAR session. If you’d like to request a schedule change before then, you can fill out the Schedule Change Request form sent to your GS email.
• Fall- and Spring- Start Freshmen: You will receive your RAN with your schedule. You will have a chance to practice registration/adjust your schedule on the day of your SOAR session, and then you will not be able to use it again until a few days before classes start. The main reason for this is to help students stay on track to progress within their chosen major. Too often students remove a course without speaking to an academic advisor and this can negatively impact progress toward graduation. Think of this as an extra safety net! 
• Transfer and Adult Learners: You will receive your RAN after your advisor has registered you for your first semester of classes. You will have the ability to move around courses, however, we do recommend you ask your academic advisor to check over your schedule if you do make any changes!

I have earned transfer credit at a previous school. How do I know if it will count toward my degree at Georgia Southern?

When you receive your course schedule, your advisor will also provide you with advisement documents that will tell you exactly how your incoming credit places within your major at Georgia Southern. Before then, however, you can use our Transfer Equivalency Tool to get a sense of what this might look like for you.

Keep in mind: If you’ve taken a class at another institution and don’t see it in this tool, it may just mean that we’ve never evaluated that class before. You may still earn credit for it, but we won’t know for sure until you’ve signed up for SOAR and sent that course to the appropriate academic college for evaluation.

Can I make changes to my schedule?

The courses on your schedule were chosen for you based on required courses, progression in your selected major, preferences, and incoming course credit. Additionally, there are some programs with limited options for courses that students need to progress. Academic advisors are trying their best to create schedules that will allow ample time to study and/or work. We cannot make changes for students who are wanting a different professor or time of day. If you have concerns about the amount of hours you are taking, accessibility needs, or online vs. on-campus, please express these to your academic advisor. They will make accommodations when possible.

• Summer-Start Freshmen: You will be able to adjust your schedule beginning the day of your SOAR session. If you’d like to request a schedule change before then, you can fill out the Schedule Change Request Form sent to your GS email.
• Fall- and Spring-Start Freshmen: You will have a chance to practice registration/adjust your schedule on the day of your SOAR session, and then you will not be able to use it again until a few days before classes start. The main reason for this is to help students stay on track to progress within their chosen major. Too often students remove a course without speaking to an academic advisor and this can negatively impact progress toward graduation. Think of this as an extra safety net! 
• Transfer and Adult Learners: You will be able to adjust your schedule as soon as you receive it, however, we do recommend you ask your academic advisor to check over your schedule if you do make any changes!

Why does my advisor recommend 15-17 credit hours?

• Boost your GPA! Students who take 15+ hours do better than those who take fewer. Students are more focused, productive, and manage their time better. Also, data from Georgia Southern (and across the state) shows that students who take 15-17 credit hours each semester have a higher GPA!
• Save money! If you take 12 hours each semester with no summers, it will take you 5 years to graduate. This will end up costing you more in the long run. Plus, tuition maxes out at 15, so your 16th, 17th, 18th credit hour is free!
• Get your degree! Students who take 15-17 hours per semester are more likely to graduate! Life gets in the way, funds run out, family members get sick – the longer you take to graduate, the less likely you are to graduate.

What is FERPA?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a federal law to protect student records maintained by the institution. The intent of this legislation is to protect the rights of students and to ensure the privacy and accuracy of education records. Unless students complete a FERPA Consent form allowing parents/guardians to have access to their educational records, University officials will not be able to discuss student records. Students may complete a FERPA Consent form to authorize release of their educational record information to specific individuals named in the release by completing the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Consent form in the Student’s Personal Setting menu in their MyGeorgiaSouthern account.

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Last updated: 10/25/2024