{"id":1097,"date":"2023-05-04T11:08:44","date_gmt":"2023-05-04T16:08:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/160-academic-programs\/?page_id=1097"},"modified":"2026-06-18T15:28:54","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T20:28:54","slug":"first-semester-course-selection","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/academic-programs\/first-semester-course-selection\/","title":{"rendered":"First Semester Course Planning"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Welcome to Macalester!&nbsp;<\/strong> We&#8217;re excited you&#8217;ll be joining us in Fall 2026. We understand that selecting courses for your first semester in college can feel both exciting and overwhelming, so we try to provide information and guidance in several different ways. On this page, you&#8217;ll find general advice about how to think about a well-balanced schedule for your first semester.&nbsp; On the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/academic-programs\/first-semester-course-selection\/course-registration-steps\/\">First Semester Registration Steps<\/a> page, you&#8217;ll find specific steps you need to take in order to choose a First Year Course, and later to register for the rest of your classes. Finally, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/academic-programs\/first-semester-course-selection\/frequently-asked-questions\/\">FAQs<\/a> also provide helpful guidance and links to other resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What makes a great first semester schedule?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Exploration and balance<\/strong> &#8211; take a subject (or two!) that you haven&#8217;t tried before! Macalester&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/academic-programs\/first-semester-course-selection\/graduation-requirements\/\">graduation requirements<\/a> mean that you will need to take courses in a wide range of subjects, and there&#8217;s no better time to start than your first semester. Taking courses in a variety of departments also means you are likely to have a workload that is balanced between different kinds of assignments (e.g. reading, writing, problem sets, or labs). Find advice from different departments about courses suitable for first semester students <a href=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/academic-programs\/first-semester-course-selection\/academic-departments-and-programs\/\">here<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A First Year Course<\/strong> &#8211; all incoming first year students take a First Year Course (FYC) in their first semester. The instructor for this course will be your academic advisor. Most departments across campus offer one or more FYCs; you can find a list of this year&#8217;s offerings <a href=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/academic-programs\/first-semester-course-selection\/2026FYCs\/\">here<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Language proficiency<\/strong> &#8211; consider starting to fulfill the language proficiency requirement, especially if you plan to continue a language you have been studying in high school. For more information about this requirement and the ways to fulfill it, as well as information on language placement, please see the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/academic-programs\/second-language-proficiency-requirement\/\">Second Language Proficiency<\/a> page. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Consider Chemistry<\/strong> &#8211; if you are considering a major in Biology, Chemistry, or Neuroscience, or if you are considering completing pre-health coursework, we strongly recommend that you start by taking CHEM 111 in your first semester.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Registration Overview<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>June:<\/strong> UPDATE: You can view a recording of the webinar <a href=\"https:\/\/macalester.zoom.us\/rec\/share\/3kdMGsphdoODTj81meEy7jk7a161yey4sw4qUQ-HSEmWiErR-CW3tHYkqAyspkzl.da2RzhcaV-fL9WmT  Passcode: 7t8^@iXF\">here<\/a> and a transcript of the Q&amp;A <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1OuikZfDXkqn-pFjH_BqzVpmN4L0mbkyXtZWaTuLaNt4\/edit?usp=sharing\">here<\/a>. Join us for the <strong><strong>First Semester Academic Planning Webinar<\/strong><\/strong> <strong>on June 2<\/strong> at 5pm Central time. You can register for this in the <a href=\"http:\/\/admissions.macalester.edu\/newstudentportal\">New Student Portal<\/a>, and the event is open to students and their families. Panelists describe the registration process, suggest strategies for developing your list of course preferences, and answer other questions you have about academics at Macalester. A recording will also be available to view after the event is complete. <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Then, submit your <strong>First Year<\/strong> <strong>Course Preference Form<\/strong> <strong>by June 15<\/strong>.<\/span> This form asks for your ranked preferences of up to four First Year Courses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>July:<\/strong> You will receive your <strong>First Year Course assignment<\/strong> in early\/mid July. The professor of the FYC serves as your initial academic advisor, and you can reach out to them with any additional questions you have. Because the FYC is tied to advising, housing and other aspects of orientation, once that assignment is made it cannot be changed.&nbsp;<\/span>In late July you&#8217;ll meet over Zoom with your new advisor. In advance of that meeting, be sure to fill out the <strong>Course Planning Form<\/strong> in your New Student Portal. Nothing on this form is binding &#8211; it is a tool to use as a starting point for a discussion with your advisor about your schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>August: Registration for the rest of your courses occurs August 3-14<\/strong>. Your specific registration time is available in the New Student Portal. You can register at or after that time, until the close of registration<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. See the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/academic-programs\/first-semester-course-selection\/course-registration-steps\/\">registration instructions<\/a> for more information about how to complete your registration. When you attend Orientation, you will have another opportunity to make any necessary adjustments to non-FYC courses when you meet with your advisor. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<section class=\"card-group block-container card-group--3\" >\n            <div class=\"card-group__header-container\">\n            <div class=\"card-group__header-inner\">\n                <div class=\"base-lockup\">\n                                                                <h2 class=\"base-lockup__heading\">Registration Tips<\/h2>\n                                                        <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"card-group__cards-container\">\n                    <article class=\"card-group__card\">\n                \n                <div class=\"callout-video-player__image-wrap\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/academic-programs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/465\/2025\/06\/Screenshot-2025-06-05-at-9.26.39-AM.png\" alt=\"Prof. Julia Chadaga explains opportunities for studying Russian at Macalester.\" class=\"callout-video-player__image\">\n                                                            <modal-button\n                class=\"callout-video-player__button base-video-modal-button base-video-modal-button--default\"\n                modal-id=\"video-modal--32215609\"\n            >\n                        <discernible-content>Open Modal<\/discernible-content>\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"base-video-modal-button__icon\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/macalester-2020\/dist\/svgs\/icon-play.svg\">\n                    <\/modal-button>\n                    <base-window-width tag=\"div\">\n                        <template slot-scope=\"window\">\n                            <modal-container\n                                :mode=\"Math.sign(window.width - 768) === 1 ? 'show' : 'if'\"\n                                modal-id=\"video-modal--32215609\"\n                                class=\"base-video-modal\"\n                            >\n                                <div class=\"base-video-modal__video\">\n                                    <player-loader\n                                        use-modal\n url=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=7UguegmnUuc\"\n                                        player-id=\"video-modal--32215609\"\n                                    ><\/player-loader>\n                                <\/div>\n                                <template slot=\"modalButton\">\n                                    <discernible-content>Close Video<\/discernible-content>\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"base-video-modal-button__icon-close\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/macalester-2020\/dist\/svgs\/icon-close.svg\">\n                                <\/template>\n                            <\/modal-container>\n                        <\/template>\n                    <\/base-window-width>\n                <\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"card-group__card-inner\">\n                    <h3 class=\"card-group__card-headline\">Language Classes<\/h3>\n                                                        <\/div>\n            <\/article>    \n                    <article class=\"card-group__card\">\n                \n                <div class=\"callout-video-player__image-wrap\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/academic-programs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/465\/2025\/06\/Screenshot-2025-06-05-at-9.06.46-AM.png\" alt=\"Prof. Shilad Sen gives advice about registering for MSCS classes at Macalester.\" class=\"callout-video-player__image\">\n                                                            <modal-button\n                class=\"callout-video-player__button base-video-modal-button base-video-modal-button--default\"\n                modal-id=\"video-modal--723175355\"\n            >\n                        <discernible-content>Open Modal<\/discernible-content>\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"base-video-modal-button__icon\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/macalester-2020\/dist\/svgs\/icon-play.svg\">\n                    <\/modal-button>\n                    <base-window-width tag=\"div\">\n                        <template slot-scope=\"window\">\n                            <modal-container\n                                :mode=\"Math.sign(window.width - 768) === 1 ? 'show' : 'if'\"\n                                modal-id=\"video-modal--723175355\"\n                                class=\"base-video-modal\"\n                            >\n                                <div class=\"base-video-modal__video\">\n                                    <player-loader\n                                        use-modal\n url=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=kf7CbCEb7LM\"\n                                        player-id=\"video-modal--723175355\"\n                                    ><\/player-loader>\n                                <\/div>\n                                <template slot=\"modalButton\">\n                                    <discernible-content>Close Video<\/discernible-content>\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"base-video-modal-button__icon-close\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/macalester-2020\/dist\/svgs\/icon-close.svg\">\n                                <\/template>\n                            <\/modal-container>\n                        <\/template>\n                    <\/base-window-width>\n                <\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"card-group__card-inner\">\n                    <h3 class=\"card-group__card-headline\">Math, Statistics, and Computer Science<\/h3>\n                                                        <\/div>\n            <\/article>    \n                    <article class=\"card-group__card\">\n                \n                <div class=\"callout-video-player__image-wrap\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/academic-programs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/465\/2025\/06\/Screenshot-2025-06-05-at-9.00.17-AM.png\" alt=\"Prof. Sarah Boyer sits in her office and shares first-year registration tips.\" class=\"callout-video-player__image\">\n                                                            <modal-button\n                class=\"callout-video-player__button base-video-modal-button base-video-modal-button--default\"\n                modal-id=\"video-modal--1291297658\"\n            >\n                        <discernible-content>Open Modal<\/discernible-content>\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"base-video-modal-button__icon\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/macalester-2020\/dist\/svgs\/icon-play.svg\">\n                    <\/modal-button>\n                    <base-window-width tag=\"div\">\n                        <template slot-scope=\"window\">\n                            <modal-container\n                                :mode=\"Math.sign(window.width - 768) === 1 ? 'show' : 'if'\"\n                                modal-id=\"video-modal--1291297658\"\n                                class=\"base-video-modal\"\n                            >\n                                <div class=\"base-video-modal__video\">\n                                    <player-loader\n                                        use-modal\n url=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=fLgmTYohboU\"\n                                        player-id=\"video-modal--1291297658\"\n                                    ><\/player-loader>\n                                <\/div>\n                                <template slot=\"modalButton\">\n                                    <discernible-content>Close Video<\/discernible-content>\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"base-video-modal-button__icon-close\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/macalester-2020\/dist\/svgs\/icon-close.svg\">\n                                <\/template>\n                            <\/modal-container>\n                        <\/template>\n                    <\/base-window-width>\n                <\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"card-group__card-inner\">\n                    <h3 class=\"card-group__card-headline\">Pre-Health<\/h3>\n                                                                <div class=\"card-group__card-cta\">\n                            <a class=\"base-cta-secondary\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=fLgmTYohboU\" target=\"_self\"><\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                    <\/div>\n            <\/article>    \n            <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contact Information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Question Topic<\/th><th>Contact<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>General questions about courses, degree requirements, and the registration process<\/td><td>Academic Programs and Advising: 651-696-6051; <a href=\"mailto:academicprograms@macalester.edu\">academicprograms@macalester.edu<\/a> or Registrar\u2019s Office: 651-696-6200; <a href=\"mailto:registrar@macalester.edu\">registrar@macalester.edu<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>First-Year Courses<\/td><td>Academic Programs and Advising: 651-696-6051; <a href=\"mailto:academicprograms@macalester.edu\">academicprograms@macalester.edu<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Language Placement<\/td><td>Academic Programs and Advising: 651-696-6051; <a href=\"mailto:academicprograms@macalester.edu\">academicprograms@macalester.edu<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Course selection with regard to a major<\/td><td>Academic Programs and Advising: 651-696-6051; <a href=\"mailto:academicprograms@macalester.edu\">academicprograms@macalester.edu<\/a>. Contact for academic department that houses the major.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>AP\/IB scores<\/td><td>Registrar\u2019s Office: 651-696-6200; <a href=\"mailto:registrar@macalester.edu\">registrar@macalester.edu<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Transfer Credits<\/td><td>Registrar\u2019s Office: 651-696-6200; <a href=\"mailto:registrar@macalester.edu\">registrar@macalester.edu<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Interpreting the class schedule<\/td><td>Registrar\u2019s Office: 651-696-6200; <a href=\"mailto:registrar@macalester.edu\">registrar@macalester.edu<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to Macalester!&nbsp; We&#8217;re excited you&#8217;ll be joining us in Fall 2026. We understand that selecting courses for your first semester in college can feel both exciting and overwhelming, so we try to provide information and guidance in several different ways. On this page, you&#8217;ll find general advice about how to think about a well-balanced [&hellip;]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":104,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1097","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/academic-programs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1097","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/academic-programs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/academic-programs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/academic-programs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/104"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/academic-programs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1097"}],"version-history":[{"count":87,"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/academic-programs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1097\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3507,"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/academic-programs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1097\/revisions\/3507"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/academic-programs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1097"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}