REGISTRATION FAQs
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” introduces students to research done by faculty at UHM. It uses inquiry-based learning and students work collaboratively in teams on projects on campus and in the ahupua'a of Manoa. Hon 101 counts as a Writing Intensive (W) focus course.
Hon 101 is not required. In fact, there are no “required” classes to stay in the lower division 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.”
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 are 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 one HON or “A section" class each semester, and 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.
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.
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
UH Manoa Catalog for a description of the
General Education Core requirements. 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, including the traditional Honors picnic and Halloween celebration in the Fall semester. Other recent events include hiking and a trip to the waterpark. Check out our photo galleries.
