At first glance, planning your classes can seem like a formidable task; with so many compelling course offerings each semester, how do you narrow it down to four or five? Fear not, for this guide will help you navigate the selection process with confidence. Your academic advisor and Student Academic Mentors (SAMs) are also good resources to utilize as you build your perfect schedule.
First, familiarize yourself with the degree requirements outlined in the course catalog.
Browse the course schedule for the upcoming semester and consult academic program pages for detailed course descriptions.
Some helpful terms to know:
-Cred: Number of credits earned, either 1 or 1.5. A typical load is anywhere from 4 to 5 credits per semester and permission is required to do more or less.
-Dist: The academic distribution the course belongs to, which includes Social Science (SS), Humanities (HU), Natural Sciences (NS), and Natural Sciences and Engineering Practicum (NSEP).
-Enr. Lim: Enrollment limit per section. Some classes are small and fill up quickly!
-FYS: First Year Seminars, which replicate honors-style classes and are only open to first-year students. Limited to just 12 participants and discussion is largely student-led.
Download the academic advising worksheet to organize potential courses and have a backup plan in case you don’t make the lottery for your top choices. Don’t forget that the first semester of your first year is pass-fail, so we encourage you to indulge your intellectual curiosity!
Swarthmore also belongs to the Tri-College Consortium with Bryn Mawr and Haverford colleges, and offers cross-registration with the University of Pennsylvania for expanded academic offerings.
Meet with your academic advisor to review your course selection and receive their official sign-off.
Using the mySwarthmore portal, pre-register for classes during the allotted window of time. Choose the four academic courses and Physical Education class you plan to take, keeping in mind the 4.5 credit limit enforced during pre-registration.
Whether through varsity athletics, club sports, or regularly scheduled classes, there are many ways to fulfill the physical education requirement.
After lotteries are completed, check your status and see what courses have not reached their enrollment limit. You should meet with your advisor if you need to make a change in your schedule. Courses can also be added or dropped during the first two weeks of the semester using an add/drop form.
