Information for New Students

It may seem like planning your first year of college classes is a long road. There are lots of requirements, details, and class options to sort out, but if you do some research and put in a little time, we can help you come up with a solid plan to get you started. It will take you about an hour to go through the steps below, but once you get started it's really quite easy.

Don't worry, this first schedule is just a place to get started. You will have the opportunity to connect with your academic advisor during Welcome Week to work through any questions or concerns you may have.

Here are the steps you'll need to complete to register for classes:

The steps below are for new students—students who have not attended another college after graduating from high school (this includes students who were PSEO at Bethel or another college last year). If this isn't you, or you're not sure, check out the New Student or Transfer page.

• Print and read through the entire New Student Information Packet.
• Complete the personal information section.
• Indicate your math and science background, and if you're transferring any credits to Bethel.
• If you're bringing in AP or CLEP credits, let us know which ones.
• If you're bringing in 14 or more credits, look at the Gen Ed. Transfer Chart to see if there are any Gen. Ed. requirements you're exempt from.
• Choose between two options of the fine arts and Western heritage courses in the Gen Ed. curriculum.
• Indicate your preference for GES106 Introduction to the Liberal Arts or GES108 Introduction to Life at Bethel.
• If you are planning to take a foreign language or math course your first semester, check out the requirements and placement testing information.
• Choose a major you are interested in. (You can change your mind later, even after you get to Bethel—but indicating your preference now will help you get started with the right courses.)
• If you are interested in a minor, indicate the one(s) you are interested in. (Minors are not required and you can always pick one up later.)
• Print a 4-year plan for the major(s) you are interested in. Fresh Start students should skip to the final step.
• If you indicated AP, CLEP, or transfer credits earlier, cross off the classes that these credits replace.
• Using the 4-year plan you selected, fill out the courses you want to take your first year on a blank 4-year plan (excel | pdf).
• Create your first semester schedule by selecting specific class sections found in the fall 2009 class schedule. Classes are listed by department and the Course Prefix by Department list can help you find a specific class. Check out the list of classes meeting Gen. Ed. Requirements.
• Write your class choices on your Registration Worksheet. Sometimes classes fill up, so you'll want to have a few "back-up" classes in mind.
• Complete the Registration Summary.
• You're done! Bring your completed registration pages 9-24 to a New Student Welcome or mail them to the Office of the Registrar.