FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What if I missed the Writing Placement Exam in May? Can I take English 100 in the fall semester anyway?

For those of you who plan to be or are on island in July, you can go to the Manoa Writing Program Website at http://www.mwp.hawaii.edu/pe/pe_schedule.htm to find out about a July placement exam that would allow you to register for Eng 100 in the fall. This would be your last chance. Otherwise, you cannot take English 100 in the fall semester. But we encourage you to take the Writing Placement Exam in August or November, which would allow you to take English 100 in the spring semester. Taking English 100 in the spring semester should not affect your other course selections; however, you should check prerequisites for any 200-level courses you may be considering.

2. What if I have AP credit for English? Do I still need to take the Writing Placement Exam? Do I still need to take English 100?

It depends on what AP exam you took. If you received a score of “4” or “5” in Language and Composition, you should receive credit for English 100, and do not have to take the course, nor the placement exam. If you received a score of “4” or “5” in Literature and Composition, you should receive credit for one sophomore literature course, which meets a diversification requirement (DL), but not English 100. In this case you will need to take the Writing Placement Exam, and you will need to take English 100.

http://www.hawaii.edu/admrec/apexam.html

3. Do I have to take a foreign language placement exam if I never took a foreign language? What if English is my second language?

It depends. First, check with your college/school for modifications to the Hawaiian/Second Language requirement. Some colleges (e.g., Engineering and Education) have received an exemption from this requirement. All Colleges of Arts & Sciences majors are expected to meet this requirement. If you have no Hawaiian/Second Language experience, you may still need to receive clearance from the department before registering (Chinese, Japanese, Korean). Other departments may only require that you take a placement exam if you have had prior experience with the language (French, German, Spanish, Hawaiian and Indo-Pacific languages). If English is your second language, you should check with the appropriate language department about possibly earning “back credits” or requesting an exemption from this requirement.

4. Am I required to take the Math Placement Exam?

It depends. You do not have to take a Math Placement Exam if you are intending to register for any of the following courses that meet the SR (Symbolic Reasoning) general education requirement: Math 100, Phil 110 or 111, BUS 250 or NREM 203. Check with your college/school advisor about the appropriate symbolic reasoning track you need to follow, especially if you are focusing on engineering, the sciences or business. You may need to take a specific math course, or you may have additional math requirements.

http://www.math.hawaii.edu/%7edale/Placement.html

5. What is Hon 101? Do I have to take this class to stay in the Honors Program? What do I have to do stay in the Honors Program?

Hon 101, “Manoa Campus and Its Neighborhoods,” is the first semester course of the First Year Honors Experience. Hon 101 encourages students to follow their curiosity about topics connected with their university, and to inquire of themselves what they need and expect from their undergraduate education. By pursuing their own interests within broad topics students are introduced to the formal inquiry of research and will work collaboratively in teams on the projects they have identified and defined. By working collaboratively, students become part of a community of learners in the Honors Program. Hon 101 counts as a Writing Intensive (W) focus course.

Hon 102, “Research at Manoa,” is offered in the spring semester. It introduces students to on-going research projects throughout the Manoa campus. Students have the opportunity to meet and talk with professors by visiting research labs and other sites on campus. Professors share the cutting-edge research or creative projects in which they are engaged.

Neither Hon 101 nor 102 are required classes to remain in the Honors Program. In fact, there are no “required” classes to stay in the lower division, called Selected Studies, component of the Honors Program. However, to stay in the program you do need to take at least one Honors course each semester, and you need to maintain a 3.0 GPA.

Also, for those of you who are thinking ahead, keep in mind that credits for Hon 101 and 102 will help you be on your way to earning the distinction of “Sophomore Scholar,” “Sophomore Honors,” “Sophomore High Honors,” or “Sophomore Highest Honors.”

http://www.honors.hawaii.edu

6. What are “A” Sections? How many should I take? Are these courses offered every semester?

“A” sections are classes drawn from the required General Education courses (e.g., history, biology, art, political science, and more). They foster student involvement with their education by allowing students to work closely with Manoa faculty in small, discussion-based classes.

We would like you to plan ahead. Keep in mind that in order for students to earn Sophomore Honors, they must take a minimum of 12-19 credits in Honors alpha courses and “A” sections, which means at least 1 alpha or “A” section class each semester, more if you want to earn “Sophomore Highest Honors.” Also, you should know that “A” Section offerings may vary semester to semester and year to year. For example, Hist 161 and 162 are offered every semester, while Chem 181 is only offered in the fall, and Sp 251 is only offered in the spring.

http://www.honors.hawaii.edu

7. How many credits should I take in my first semester?

To be considered a full-time student, you must take a minimum of 12 credits. We do not recommend that you take more than 15-16 credits in your first semester. Keep in mind that the time and effort required to earn college credits may not be the same as earning high school credits. You’re the best judge of what you can handle, but before deciding on how many credits to carry, you should consider your own strengths and weaknesses. Your strengths and weaknesses can affect how challenging or demanding the courses may be for you. In addition to considering the kind of courses you are taking, also allow for additional demands on your time, such as the need to work, spend time with family, or commute.

8. What should I take during my first semester?

Unlike the usual high school curriculum, the college curriculum allows students to make more independent decisions. Except for a few structured programs (e.g., the natural sciences and engineering), course selection is left up to the student. However, you may find these guidelines useful in deciding on your courses:

• Is the course at the right challenge level for you (e.g., prerequisites met, appropriate course number level)?
• Does the course allow you to pursue an interest, develop a skill, or test your ability in a new interest area?
• Does the course fulfill a degree requirement (e.g., GenEd, college/program requirement or major), or is it an elective? (Note: elective credits do count toward graduation)
• Do you have a mix of course formats (e.g., small discussion classes, large lecture classes, studios, labs)?

Note: Go to the catalog (www.catalog.hawaii.edu) for a description of the General Education Core requirements and to Academic Units for the departments that offer diversification courses. For more detailed information about college/program requirements, go to the appropriate college section of the catalog. For more registration assistance, go to the “Registration Strategies” section of this website.

9. Is the Honors Program going to allow me to have a well-rounded college experience?

The Honors Program at UH-Manoa includes co-curricular activities along with academic experiences, especially for those who live on the Honors floors in the dormitory. In addition to dorm-living, the Honors First Year Experience program promotes a variety of co-curricular activities and academic opportunities available on campus and facilitates student involvement. The Honors website is the best place to find out about social events sponsored by Honors, including the traditional Honors picnic and Halloween celebration that happen in the Fall semester as part of Hon 101. These events are open to all Honors students. The Honors Newsletter on this website is also a great place to find out how other Honors students have gotten involved with both the social and academic features of the Honors Program.