First year course selection - Fall 2012

 

This page explains how to choose your courses as a first time student at Waterloo.
Read everything IN ORDER. 

Complete the steps below carefully and slowly: 

Step 1 - Course Selection Information Session - June 25
Step 2 - Arts Academic Community Forum
Step 3 - Program Specific course selection Instructions
Step 4 - Tutorials
Step 5 - Course Selection Approval Form - due June 26
Step 6 - Enroll in your courses on-line on Quest: JULY 9
Step 7 - Important information for specific courses; "Course Full" updates; "What if I'm away?"...
Step 8 - Preparing for September

 

Step 1 - Course Selection Information Session
June 25, 2012

Attend the on -campus Course Selection Information Session on Monday, June 25th The general presentation will include:

  • the course selection process
  • selecting appropriate courses and electives for your program
  • meeting your academic advisor
  • a brief Quest demonstration

NOTE: This session is not intended for AFM and Independent Studies students.

REGISTER NOW (registration not yet open)

 

Step 2 - Join your Arts Academic Community forum

Your Academic Community forum is open 24/7. Get academic support in your first-year Academic Community forum! You can also learn more by visiting our Frequently Asked Questions.

 

Step 3 - Important Program Instructions...

You will need to choose courses for your first term at Waterloo based on two different things:

  1. The program you have been admitted to
  2. The major(s) you are interested in (i.e. the subject you most want to focus on at Waterloo)

Step 3a) PROGRAM-specific instructions:

Some programs have specific instructions for course selection. Please look for the program you have been admitted to (check your offer package if you're not sure) below and read carefully:

Step 3b) MAJOR-specific course choices:

You will need to choose courses based on the Program that you have been admitted to (above) AND choose courses that apply to the major(s) that you are interested in. The Prospective Major Chart has a list of recommended courses for the major that you are interested in. 

 

Step 4 - Course Selection Tutorials

Review BEFORE you add your classes!
Step-by-step guidance through the course selection process - how to use the Schedule of Classes, a Quest training session, and important advice from your Academic Advisor.

 

Step 5 - 2012 Course Selection Approval Form - DUE JUNE 26

  • Honours Arts & SDS students: Tutorial - Filling out the Course Selection Approval Form
  • Arts and Business students: Tutorial - Filling out the Course Selection Approval Form
  • Independent Studies (IS) students do not fill out the Course Selection Approval Form. Contact your academic advisor directly for course selection assistance.

 

I HAVE submitted my form...

  • July 6 - log onto Quest to see what courses have been added to your schedule for you by your advisor.
    • do not submit any new or revised forms; changes will have to be made on Quest on July 9.
  • July 9, 9:00am - log onto Quest to add any remaining courses to your schedule and make any changes. It is your responsibility to add any remaining classes.

 

I have NOT submitted my form...

  • no classes will be added to your schedule for you by your advisor
  • July 9 at 9:00am - log onto Quest to add ALL of your courses to your schedule.
    • It is your responsibility to add ALL of your classes.
  • Course Selection Approval Form is due June 26.
    • If you haven't submitted the form do it now! Use the link to access the form  above (not on Quest) and submit to your advisor for approval. Your advisor will try to respond as soon as possible before July 9 but there is no guarantee if you submit the form late. 

 

Step 6 - You MUST log onto Quest on July 9 to add courses

Beginning on July 6, you will be able to log onto Quest to see what courses your advisor added for you and plan out the rest of your class schedule.

  • EVERY STUDENT must log onto Quest on July 9 to add their remaining classes and make any changes to their class schedule.
  • Advisors will NOT enroll you in ALL of your classes.
  • In order to get spots in the additional classes you want, you need to enroll as soon as possible on July 9. Classes fill up quickly. 

 

Step 7 - IMPORTANT Course Information and Advisor Updates

Students in Arts and Business

ECON 101 is required in your 1A (Fall 2012) term. You will be automatically enrolled in either LEC 001 or LEC 005 which are offered at different times.

IF you urgently need a course (prospective major for example) that conflicts with your ECON 101 section, we MAY be able to switch you into LEC 001 or 005. This request is not guaranteed.

To make this request email sandrews [at] uwaterloo [dot] ca and include the following:

  • full name
  • Waterloo ID#
  • section # of ECON 101 you are currently in
  • details explaining why you need change sections (between 001 and 005) including:
    • details about the course you want to take
    • class number
    • lecture and lab sections if appropriate

IF you urgently need another section of ECON 101 (not 001 or 005), we may be able to consider this request only if there is very good reason to do so. This request in not guaranteed.

To make this request email the following to sandrews [at] uwaterloo [dot] ca:

  • detailed outline of of why you need this section change
    • We will determine if the reasons for your request are sufficient to warrant the change.
    • If the change is granted we will assist you as of July 23 when Open Enrollment begins, NOT before.
Chinese

Chinese Language Courses
Placement Application Form for Chinese Language Courses (Ballot)
Students seeking enrollment in their first Chinese language course must complete a Placement Application Form (ballot). 

  • The East Asian Studies Committee will evaluate the appropriate level of instruction for you. After your form has been reviewed, you will receive confirmation of your level by email as well as whether space is available for you in the course.
  • It is recommended that you submit your form to the Renison Reception Office (or fax it to 519-884-5135) prior to June 25 to have an advantage in being enrolled.
  • First-time enrollment is done by the Renison Registrar’s Office after you confirm that you wish to enroll in the level approved for you (so long as space is available).
  • If you have not received confirmation by July 9 we recommend that you add one of your alternate course selections on July 9. This course can be swapped for a Chinese language course later if space opens up for you.
  • Contact the emckechn [at] renison [dot] uwaterloo [dot] ca (Renison Registrar’s Office) for more information.
     

Studies In Islam
(Arabic)
 

Studies in Islam (Arabic) Language Courses

Students seeking enrollment in their first Arabic language course must complete the Arabic Language Assessment Form. 

  • Your assessment form will be evaluated for the appropriate level of instruction. After your form has been reviewed, you will receive confirmation of your level by email as well as whether space is available for you in the course.
  • It is recommended that you submit your form to the Renison Reception Office (or fax it to 519-884-5135) prior to June 25 to have an advantage in being enrolled.
  • First-time enrollment is done by the Renison Registrar’s Office after you confirm that you wish to enroll in the level approved for you (so long as space is available).
  • If you have not received confirmation by July 9 we recommend that you add one of your alternate course selections on July 9. This course can be swapped for a SI language course later if space opens up for you.
  • Contact the emckechn [at] renison [dot] uwaterloo [dot] ca (Renison Registrar’s Office) for more information.
SOCWK and SDS courses

If you receive the error message "class is full/all open spaces are reserved":

All courses offered at Renison University College have a waiting list. Go to the following link and follow instructions: http://www.renison.uwaterloo.ca/current/index.shtml.
SPCOM 100

SPCOM 100 is a high demand course with first priority given to students interested in majoring in Speech Communication.

If there is space available after the potential SPCOM majors accommodated you can email shannig [at] uwaterloo [dot] ca to be added to the waiting list.

All SPCOM upper year pre-majors are given priority for this course.  If space is available after that, then students on the wait list will be alowed to enroll in chronological order.

I need help with Quest

Help with Quest

  • Common WatIAM Questions & Solutions
  • Assistance with WatIAM problems: send an email to helpdesk [at] uwaterloo [dot] ca
     
  • Help > How do I...? for Quest
  • Quest support desk - email to quest [at] uwaterloo [dot] ca (quest [at] uwaterloo [dot] ca )
  • Quest phone: 519-888-4567, ext., 36644
     

Away during course selection?

  • July 9-22, 2012 is the time reserved for first-year students to use Quest for course selection.
  • All course enrollment occurs on-line, so if you will be away but can get access to the Internet during this time, you should be able to add classes. 
  • Classes fill very quickly. You're are advised to add your courses on July 9 or as soon as possible after that.
  • If you are away, or can't add your courses yourself, please note the following:
    • You may not add your courses any earlier than July 9, nor can your academic advisor add courses for you.
  • You should consider the following plan:

    A) Find appropriate internet access where you are located and, beginning July 9 at 9:00 am (Eastern Standard Time in Canada), add your courses.

    B) Authorize, in writing, a parent or responsible relative in Canada, to access your Quest account to add courses for you. Caution - this will mean that you will have to entrust that person your UW ID number and Quest password. Therefore, if you choose not to add your courses yourself, for security reasons, we caution you to choose this person very carefully.
     
  • From July 23 on, you may still select classes in the Open Enrollment period. We DO NOT recommend that you wait to add your courses for the first time on this date. Classes fill VERY quickly. Adding your courses on July 9 or as close to this date as possible, is therefore a wise decision.

 

Step 8 - Preparing for September...

Academic Integrity – At Waterloo, we value academic integrity. Find out what’s expected of you as a Waterloo student by completing the online tutorial.

Attend...

  • Student Life 101: Offered July & August
    • 2 day overnight student experience allows students to become comfortable on campus, make new friends, and learn strategies for success
    • 1 day Parent experience provides parents with the opportunity to learn about Waterloo’s campus, what their student can expect in their first year and strategies to support their students success.
  • Orientation Week: September 3-9, 2012. Amazing introduction to life at Waterloo.
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