Frequently Asked Questions

Select a Topic

Registration
Withdrawal or Leave of Absence
Reenrollment
Grades
Academic Probation
Holds
TutorZone
Study Skills
Other Available Resources

Have any other questions? We are here for you! Please contact us at [[academicwellbeing]].

Registration

I have only been able to register for 16 credit hours. How can I register for more classes?

During pre-registration, all students are capped at 16 credit hours. The week prior to the start of classes, students can register for up to 18 credit hours. If you have extenuating circumstances for which you need to register for more than 16 credit hours during pre-registration, you will need to petition the Committee on Degrees. Don't hesitate to contact the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.

How do I register for more than 18 credit hours?

Students may request to overload to 19 credit hours through the Office of the University Registrar. The request form will open two weeks prior to the start of the semester, however, changes to maximum credit hour limits will be processed no sooner than the day before classes begin. The form will remain open through the last day of classes.

The late add and late change to variable credit course hours forms both include a way for the student to request an overload to 19 credit hours should they need to do so in addition to their late add or late change to credit hours. As long as the student selects that option in those forms, this separate request form is not needed for those cases.

Eligibility Criteria for University Registrar Office Review

The Office of the University Registrar may review requests from students who wish to overload to 19 credit hours as long as the student meets the following criteria:

The student is not in their first semester as a degree-seeking student
The student is not carrying any incompletes
The student is in good standing and has a 3.00 or above cumulative GPA

Students who do not meet the above criteria but wish to overload, or those students who wish to request an overload for more than 19 credit hours, may petition the Committee on Academic Status (CAS).

I am graduating next semester and only need nine credit hours to graduate. How do I register for fewer than 12 credit hours?

Graduating seniors that need fewer than 12 credits to graduate should contact [[registrar]].

I need to add/drop a class, but it is after the add/drop period. How do I do that?

Students may request to late add a course through the Office of the University Registrar. The request form for a late add will open for the current semester after add/drop has ended and will remain open through the last day of classes for the semester.

Eligibility Criteria for University Registrar Office Review

The Office of the University Registrar may review requests from students who wish to late add a course after the add/drop deadline as long as their request meets the following criteria:

The instructor approves of the late add
Submission for the request occurs during the current semester (no later than the last day of classes)
Adding the course does not result in an overload above 19 credit hours (incompletes count toward the current number of in-progress credit hours)
- Additional eligibility criteria applies for students requesting an overload to 19 credit hours (see Request to Overload to 19 Credit Hours below)

Students who do not meet the above criteria but wish to late add a course may petition the Committee on Academic Status (CAS).

If a student wishes to late drop a class after the add/drop deadline, the student must petition the Committee on Academic Status (CAS). Petitions to drop classes are rarely approved except under circumstances beyond a student's control.

Withdrawal or Leave of Absence

I have decided not to return to William & Mary. How do I withdraw from the university?

You will need to complete the online withdrawal form.

I have decided to take a semester off. How do I do that?

You will need to complete the online withdrawal form.

Reenrollment

How do I re-enroll at William & Mary after a leave of absence?

You will need to complete the reenrollment form if you are in good standing and not on a medical leave of absence. If you have enrolled as a degree-seeking student at another college or university, please contact the Office of Admissions.

Grades

How do I arrange for an incomplete in a class?

Incompletes are arranged between the student and the professor.

How do I sign up to take a class as a pass/fail?

Students with questions about the pass/fail policy should contact [[registrar]]. Students seeking an exception to the pass/fail policy should submit a petition to the Committee on Degrees.

Does withdrawal from a course negatively affect my transcript and future acceptance in graduate school programs?

No, as long as it is not a pattern of withdrawals over numerous semesters.

If I fail a class for a second time, does it count double?

Yes.

What is reflected on my transcript if I fail a class at W&M and retake it?

Both the failing and second grades appear on your W&M transcript and are calculated into your cumulative grade point average.

What can I do if I believe a professor has given me the wrong grade? Can it be changed?

There is a grade review procedure outlined in the college Course Catalog. If, after the grade review process, it is found the grade was incorrect, a change will be made to your transcript.

How do I calculate my grade point average?

Refer to the grade calculation procedure outlined on the Academic Wellbeing website.

Do transfer grades from another school factor into your grade point average at W&M?

No, only the credits transfer.

Academic Probation

I am on academic probation. I have completed courses for which I previously received a grade of incomplete or a grade change, and I believe this will change my academic status. What should I do?

As soon as the grade posts to your transcript, notify Academic Wellbeing at [[academicwellbeing]] and the office will initiate a review of your record. Complete this process within the first six weeks of the semester.

I am on academic probation, and due to an emergency, I need to take a final incomplete grade in a course. How can I obtain the required permission?

Contact Academic Wellbeing at [[academicwellbeing]] immediately for assistance.

I received a letter stating I must participate in the ASPIRE program. When will I receive more information?

The ASPIRE Blackboard site will be open by the first day of classes. Complete information about the program and expectations for the upcoming semester will be available on the site.

Can summer courses remove me from probation?

The Committee on Academic Status reviews probation students at the end of the second summer session. If summer credits taken at W&M have caused the student to meet the continuance requirement of the immediately preceding semester AND the student earned 12 credits and a 2.0 in that semester, the student will be off probation for the upcoming semester. If you feel this pertains to you, please contact us as soon as possible at [[academicwellbeing]].

I am on academic probation due to an incomplete. Once I have finished this work, will I be removed from probation?

When you have completed the incomplete, and the posted grade allows you to meet college continuance standards for that semester, you need to contact our office to ask for a review of your status.

Can I participate in a study abroad program while on academic probation?

No.

Can I be placed on academic probation more than once?

Yes.

How does probation affect my scholarship?

Each scholarship is different. You will have to speak to the person managing the scholarship or your financial aid counselor.

Holds

I have a hold on my account for Student Verification. How can I get the hold lifted?

Go to personalinfo.wm.edu and update your contact information. After you submit the update, the hold will automatically lift from your account.

TutorZone

What should I do if no tutors are available for the course I am taking?

Send an email with your request to [[tutorzone]]. The TutorZone staff will work with you to find a tutor or additional resources. We cannot promise that we will be able to find a tutor for every course.

How do I pay for tutoring sessions?

All tutoring is now free with the support of the Parent Fund! Students will not be charged for tutoring sessions.

I want to become a tutor in the TutorZone. How do I apply?

We have concluded our Fall 2023 hiring process and will be reopening the application for Spring 2023 tutors in October 2023.

Study Skills

What is the suggested amount of time to study per week?

Multiply your credit hours by two, and you should have the total needed study hours. This includes all study tasks: reading, writing papers, revising notes, building study guides, working problems, course reviews, etc.

What time of day is the best for studying?

Every student is different; however, students who decide to view studying as if it were a job and therefore do most of their academic work between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. tend to be on top of their academic work and have more free time for personal pursuits.

What is the best technique for studying for exams?

Reviewing course material regularly throughout the semester and maintaining a file of study guides for each course. Take advantage of any tutoring or review sessions offered for your course.

Ultimately, each student needs to try a variety of study methods to find the strategy that works best for you, but organization and using your resources is always helpful.

I want to learn to manage my time more effectively. Is there a resource available?

Yes, you may schedule a free, one-on-one time management consultation through the TutorZone.

Other Available Resources

How can I get tested for a possible learning disability?

Make an appointment with Student Accessibility Services for a consultation.

Where do I go if I am facing significant challenges with my mental, physical, and social health?

Make an appointment with Care Support Services.