Sophomore Year

Sophomore Year Milestones:

• Make and attend advising appointments
  Students should see their advisers at least once a semester. These appointments help students insure they are on-track for timely graduation.
  When: Fall and spring semester
  For more information: http://ulook.umn.edu (Students can use ULook to schedule an advising appointment online.)
  
  
• Declare a major!
  Students need to declare their major by 60 credits. To do so, students need to meet with departmental/major advisers to complete the Major Declaration Form. This process can involve several steps, so it is wise for the student to start working on his or her major declaration no later then the end of the fall semester. Declaring a major represents an important milestone in a student's college career and should be celebrated: In most cases, they are halfway done.
  When: The end of fall semester or the beginning of spring semester
  For more information: http://www.class.umn.edu/mbrochures/

• Begin taking 3xxx-level courses
  With the help of their adviser, students should begin to take 3xxx level courses, in order to complete their degree in a timely fashion.
  When: Spring semester
  
  
• Complete the second language requirement
  Students satisfy this requirement through completion of fourth-semester college course with a grade of C-, S, or better at University of Minnesota or equivalent course to demonstrate functional language proficiency OR Certified proficiency, demonstrated by passing the Language Proficiency Exam (LPE). This examination usually tests writing, speaking, reading, and listening skills at a level usually attained after four semesters of study.
  When: By the end of spring semester (May)
  For more information: http://www.class.umn.edu/degree_requirements/ FAQs_About_the_Second_Language_Requirement.html
  
  
• Complete 60 credits by the end of first year
  Students will need to register for roughly 15 credits each semester to ensure timely graduation. After meeting with their adviser, students should register at their assigned time in the registration queue.
  When: Fall registration is November-December; Spring registration is April-May
  

Things to Think About All Year

• Explore a major
  Many students enter their first semester of college unsure of their major. Students should explore majors and subject areas that interest them. There are several resources on campus to help them explore a major including: the Career and Community Learning Center, informational sessions about majors, other campus programs, their college adviser, and the department of interest. Interested students can take a 2-credit course called ID 1201: Major Exploration. While exploring majors, students should note any prerequisites that need completion before declaring that major. Finally, students in pre-professional programs should meet with their college adviser to review the requirements needed to complete these programs.
  For more infrormation: http://www.class.umn.edu/choosing_a_major/
  
  
• Join a student organization with his or her major
  Some majors have student organizations, where students can meet to talk about their major and their interests.
  For more information: http://www.sao.umn.edu
  
  
• Explore study abroad
  Study abroad experiences are becoming increasingly popular with students and they represent an important educational advantage in our increasingly globalized economy. Financial aid applies to many programs and scholarships are available to assist with cost. Students should begin exploring study abroad early to see how the experience fits into their 4-year plan.
  For more information: http://www.umabroad.umn.edu
  
  
• Consider applying for a UROP grant:
  This program is designed to give undergraduate students and faculty members the opportunity to work together on research, scholarly, or creative activities.
  For more information: www.urop.umn.edu
  
  
• Explore service learning opportunities:
  By enrolling in a service-learning course, students gain direct experience working on the same content, ideas, and issues discussed in class through working at a community organization a couple hours per week.
  For more information: http://www.servicelearning.umn.edu/
  
  
• Apply for continuing student scholarships
  There are scholarships available for continuing students in the College of Liberal Arts. These scholarships usually become available in late fall semester with a deadline of early spring semester.
  For more information: www.scholarships.cla.umn.edu
  
  
• Instructors' office hours
  Students should not be shy about visiting their instructors during posted office hours. Office hours are a good time to get additional help with a course, ask about research opportunities, and investigate careers in the field. As students progress toward degrees, they should take advantage of opportunities for faculty contact that may be important, among other reasons, for letters of reference and support upon graduation.