Frequently Asked Questions about
Freshman Focus and Academic Theme Living Options
Q: I don't have a major--how will participating
in Freshmen Focus or an Academic Theme Living option help me?
A: The courses offered in Freshmen Focus work
toward satisfying Washington State University’s General Education Requirements
(GERs), which all students must complete to graduate. If you select a specific
academic theme living option, you will be involved in Freshmen Focus (in most
halls) as well as living with students who have similar academic interests.
Q: How does participating in Freshmen Focus or an Academic Theme Living option affect my major if I already have one?
A: Since the classes included in Freshmen
Focus are applicable to satisfying General Education Requirements,
they will help toward graduation. The Freshmen Focus courses
assigned to you will provide numerous benefits of sharing those
classes with other students where you live, such as being easily
able to form study groups and to talk about ideas from your classes.
Q: Do I have to be enrolled in both of the classes that make up Freshmen Focus?
A: Usually yes. Your Summer ALIVE academic
advisor will help you determine the exact courses best for you.
Each Freshmen Focus course you do not enroll in
reduces the benefits of sharing classes with your other community
members.
Q: If I choose an Academically Themed Living option with Freshmen Focus classes am I registered for all my classes?
A: No. Most students should be enrolled for 15
to18 credit hours per semester to progress toward a timely graduation.
. Your Freshmen Focus classes will provide you
with only 6 credits. When you meet with your academic advisor during
Summer ALIVE orientation you'll discuss courses to complete your
schedule and your registration.
Q: I will bring Advanced Placement or Running Start credits I have already earned; how will this affect my Freshmen Focus participation?
A: If you are enrolled in a Freshmen Focus course
for which you already have credit, your Summer ALIVE advisor will
help you drop that class.
Q: I may join the Honors College, what are the implications of that for my choice of living options?
A:The Honors College students have a different curriculum
from the General Education Requirements. As a result of this, Honors
College participants will not have a Freshmen Focus option
unless they also live in Honors Hall. Students who plan
to join the Honors College should give preference to the Scholars
Halls (Scott and Coman) or Honors Hall for their residence to enjoy
the benefits of sharing other Honors College classes with their living
group members.
Q: Won’t participating in Freshmen Focus
classes keep me from meeting other people?
A: No. Not only will you make friends faster on
your floor because you share classes, but you also will still have
the opportunity to make friends outside your Freshmen Focus classes
and your theme living group. You will be living among other students
in your residence hall who don't share those same classes. You
will also meet people in other classes who are not a part of your Freshmen
Focus group.
Q: I'm thinking about joining a fraternity/sorority. Can I still be in a Freshmen Focus group?
A: Yes, if you join a sorority and live in a residence
hall. Most sorority women live in residence halls their first semester
on campus and will participate in Freshmen Focus. Fraternity
men or sorority women who will live in a Greek chapter house rather
than in a residence hall fall semester do not participate in Freshmen
Focus.
Q: I wasn't placed in Freshmen Focus classes.
Why wasn’t I?
A: The most common reason why students will not
be placed in Freshmen Focus is that their application
materials are received after the June 1 deadline. After this June
1 deadline, applications will be processed, but students may not
be placed in Freshmen Focus classes as easily.
Freshmen requesting and receiving McCroskey, McEachern, Orton,
Rogers, or Stevens as their residence will also not be placed in Freshmen
Focus classes due to the small number of freshmen in each
of these buildings.
Q: What if I ask for and receive a room change
after I have received Freshmen Focus classes? Will I still have
my Freshmen Focus classes?
A: Yes, you will. However, you will no longer
be in classes with people who share your new hall and room assignment,
which reduces the benefits of Freshman Focus.