Information for New Students | Advising Basics & TOP
We are very excited for you to be joining WKU during the upcoming semester. Your experience with your campus visit, tours, and Topper Orientation Program (TOP) can answer many questions for you regarding your path at WKU. The Advising & Career Development Center offers a variety of academic support options for you as a student at WKU. While a student at WKU you will have access to our facility for support through tutoring, advising information, and a beautiful learning center. The Learning Center provides tutoring in well over 200 courses and offers a place to study or use of our 12 computer workstations. The "Helpful Hints for High School Students" newsletter that is provided on this site touches on some things you should consider prior to your arrival on The Hill. Please take some time to read through the material and if we can help in any way, please do not hesitate to let us know. We look forward to having you at WKU. See you soon!
Advising Basics
The ACT and SAT are different tests that measure similar but distinct constructs. The ACT measures achievement related to high school curricula, while the SAT measures general verbal and quantitative reasoning.
The SAT has recently updated its scoring process. The new concordance charts may be viewed here.
All students are required to take a Math course to meet the requirement for the Colonnade general education requirements at WKU. While at WKU, many students will meet that requirement by taking MATH 109, MATH 112, MATH 115, MATH 116, etc., to fulfill that credit. Certain majors require students to take either a specific math course. The College Readiness website has a breakdown of math requirement by major. According to university policy, departments cannot require specific general education courses unless the courses are approved as part of the major curriculum.
Scores from the MPE, along with ACT or SAT math scores, are used to determine math course placement for students enrolling in the university. Refer to the student's profile sheet for the MPE score and the math score from the ACT/SAT. To determine the recommended math course, a useful placement chart can be found here.
If you have any further questions regarding Math Placement at WKU, please do contact the Department of Mathematics at (270) 745-3651.
There are specific considerations that should be made when advising an Honors College student. Beyond the advising tips, understanding of the Honors College Curriculum is beneficial to all advisors at WKU. For more information regarding Honors College advising practices, please call (270) 745-2081.
Ensuring that all students move through their academic curriculum while at WKU is the goal of each academic advisor at WKU. Advisors serve the diverse student population of WKU and attempt to provide the best service possible to all students. Please feel free to the contact International Enrollment Management office when advising international students at WKU.
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