FAQs - Transfer Credit

How do I get approval to transfer credit from another school?

You should meet with or contact Linda Quandt in the Registrar’s Office to determine if a school is accredited and if the courses are transferable to Lewis & Clark. It is very important for you to make sure the course credit will tranfer before you enroll in them.

Can transfer credits be used to fill GE requirements?

Yes. Transcripts should be sent to the Registrar’s Office, where courses will be evaluated to determine if they will count towards the requirements.

Can transfer credits be counted toward a major or minor?

This is determined by the department chair or program director. The use of transfer credit varies from department to department. You should have course descriptions to give to the chair. It is a good idea to get approval in writing in case the department chair or program director changes before you graduate.

How does LC give credit for a course transferred from an institution on the quarter system ( e.g., PSU, PCC)?

It is converted as follows: 1 Quarter Hour = .67 Semester Hour. Because the College rounds down to the nearest whole number, a 4 credit quarter course, which is 2.67 semester hours, would transfer in as 2 semester credits.

As a transfer student, when can I use a substitute course to fill the Core 106 and 107 (Exploration and Discovery) requirement?

• Fall transfer students with fewer than 16 credits must take both Core 106 and Core 107 (Exploration and Discovery) during their first year.
• Fall and spring transfer students with 16-28 credits, of which 3 or more credits are from an approved writing-intensive course, must take either the first (Core 106) or second (Core 107) semester of Exploration & Discovery during their first year. If no such transferable credit has been approved, both semesters are required.
• Spring transfer students with fewer than 16 credits must take both semesters of Exploration & Discovery.
• Transfer students with more than 28 credits (excluding AP and IB credit) may satisfy the requirement either by transferring approved writing-intensive courses or by taking two courses from the approved writing intensive course list. (Note: Courses used as Core substitutes may not be used to fulfill any other general education or major or minor requirements.)

I pre-registered for a class and want/need to take a different class. What do I do?

A class can be added any time during the first two weeks of the semester. Pick up an Add/Drop form from the Office of the Registrar, go to the first class meeting and ask the professor if the class is full. If there are spaces, ask the professor to sign the Add/Drop form. Be sure to list the class you are dropping. Return the completed form to the Registrar's Office. If you are a first-year student, you must have your advisor's signature.

How many credits do I need to have and what GPA do I need to maintain to keep my financial aid?

28 credits after 2 semesters
56 credits after 4 semesters
84 credits after 6 semesters
2.00 GPA

How do I drop/withdraw from a class after the first two weeks of the semester?

Before you make any decisions about this, it is important to talk with your advisor and/or the professor of the class. All first-year students must have their advisor's signature to drop a class. You can drop or withdraw from a class without the professor's signature during the first 10 weeks of the semester. After that time, the professor's signature is required. Fill out the Add/Drop form available at the Registrar's Office and return it to them. If you drop the class during the first two weeks of the semester the course will not appear on your transcript. If you withdraw from the class after the first two weeks, the course with a W (for withdraw) will appear on your transcript.

Can I take a class Credit/No Credit?

Credit/No Credit forms are available from the Registrar's Office. You can sign up to take a class Credit/No Credit only during the first two weeks of the semester. It is always important to talk with your advisor, the professor, or someone in Academic Advising before making a decision about this. You need the professor's signature to do this. Some professors don't allow this option, but others do. Credit is granted only if your grade in the course would have been a C or better. After the professor has signed the form, return it to the Registrar's Office. You cannot reverse your decision to take a class Credit/No Credit later in the semester.

Note: courses taken for General Education credit as well as courses in most majors must be taken for a letter grade. Be sure to check with your department chair first if it is a course in one's major.

What help is available if I am having problems in a course?

It is essential to act as soon as you notice the problems. The most important first step is to talk with the professor of the course. Also talk with your faculty advisor and explore different ideas. Other options include meeting with someone in the Academic Advising Office (7750) to discuss your options and other available resources, talking with someone in the Counseling Center about time management or personal issues that are impacting your studies (7160), and contacting SAAB (Student Academic Affairs Board) to find a tutor in the subject.

Can I change my academic advisor?

Yes. We try to assign you a faculty advisor in a course you will be taking or in a department in which you might major. For various reasons, however, you may wish to change advisors. Because we want you to have an advisor with whom you are comfortable, you may change advisors at any time. To do so please download the Change of Advisor Form (PDF). After the faculty member signs the form, return it to the Registrar's Office. You do not need to declare a major in order to change your advisor. You do not need to obtain the signature of your former advisor.

How can I notify my professors if I suddently can't attend classes, either because of illness or an emergency?

It is very important that you contact your professors as soon as possible whenever you can't attend class. If you are able to do so yourself, you should email or phone them. If you are not able to contact them, call the Student Support Services office at ext. 7156 and ask to speak to Barbara Roady. If you provide her with documentation from a doctor or the Health Center, she will email your professors for you, letting them know as much as you want them to know about the situation. If you will miss classes, it is necessary to make sure that you have a way to keep up with both the in-class and the out-of-class work.

What services does the Health Center provide?

The staff can attend to most of your health needs, including infections, allergy injections, colds, flu, overseas vaccinations, prescription medicines, gynecological and physical exams. Although there are fees for tests and medication, there is no charge for consultation. You do not need to have the College's health insurance plan to use the Health Center.

What if I have or think I might have a learning difference?

You should make an appointment with Dale Holloway, the Coordinator of Student Support Services, or Carol Thomas, the Educational Specialist, at ext. 7156.

What should I do if I'm feeling depressed and lonely?

It is important to act quickly, as depression can become cumulative. Make an appointment at the Counseling Center by calling ext. 7160. The Counseling Center offers free and confidential meetings. The counselors are familiar with the stresses of college life and are happy to help and support you. Also, the CLA's and CLC's in your residence hall are a good resource.

What should I do if I am having a problem with a roommate or in the residence hall?

A good first resource is to talk with your Campus LINC. It is also important to talk with the CLA to see if it can be resolved. If you feel that it is not being resolved, talk with the CLC. In some cases, the Residence Life Office (located on the ground floor of Templeton) can be of help in thinking through various approaches to problems.

How do I get involved in campus life?

Studies show that a student's satisfaction with the college experience is directly related to engagement in extracurricular activities, so it is important to become involved in one of the many activities that we offer. Your Campus LINC is a good resource to talk with about the kind of activities you are interested in. The folks in the Student Activities Office (7122) can provide specific information about various college activities. If you are interested in community service, contact Kelly Hoover (7114). In addition, there are numerous College Outdoors (7116) trips during the semester. If you are interested in participating in intramural sports, call the Pamplin Sports Center (7545).