Your academic journey at HWS starts here! On these pages, you'll find much of what you need to begin your academic work at Hobart and William Smith, including the Course Preference Form, where you'll report preferences for your First-Year Seminar and other courses. (You must log in to fill out the Course Preference Form.)
On the Course Preference Form, you'll be asked to select your course preferences for the fall 2009 semester. Please understand that by completing this form you are not registering for classes; instead, you are providing First Year Deans David Mapstone '93 and Lisa Kaenzig with information that, when combined with your admissions file, will help them hand-place you in courses for the fall semester.
Before you begin filling out the form, make sure you read about the Colleges' curriculum, which outlines a typical student's academic journey through Hobart and William Smith.
Once you understand how the curriculum works, read the descriptions of the First-Year Seminars being offered during the fall semester. Some Seminars are also part of a Learning Community, so learn more about that option, too, before you make your decision. When you complete the Course Preference Form, you'll be asked to select six Seminars that are representative of your academic interests and explain your choices.
In addition to your First-Year Seminar, you'll also take three other courses during your first semester. To find out what's being offered for the fall semester, download the list of Courses for First-Year Students. Try to select course options that reflect your interests. When you complete the Course Preference Form, you'll be asked to select 10 course options and explain your choices.
The form also asks you to list any potential major, pre-professional and language interests as well as whether you plan to play an intercollegiate sport. If you are unsure of your interests, or if you have many interests but are not ready to choose, consider listing courses from several departments or programs. Exploring different academic disciplines may help you narrow your focus or introduce you to an entirely new interest.
Remember, the information you provide on the Course Preference Form will help the Deans place you in your courses, so if you already have a strong interest in a particular field or pre-professional program, you should indicate it on the form. Be as thorough and specific as possible, and please note that, once you submit the form, you cannot change your answers.
We ask that you complete and submit the Academic Course Preference for by May 22 so that we can let you know about your fall semester course schedule, roommates and residence hall as soon as possible.
As learn more about academics at Hobart and William Smith, you'll see that you have great freedom of choice—both now and once you've arrived on campus—in constructing an academic program that meets both your interests and the Colleges' educational goals and objectives. That power is exciting, but it can also be confusing, so at each step in this journey, our faculty is ready to support and advise you.
If you have any questions as you're selecting first semester courses, don't hesitate to contact Deans Mapstone '93 (at (315) 781-3300 or mapstone@hws.edu) and Kaenzig (at (315) 781-3467 or kaenzig@hws.edu). Starting this summer, your adviser will also be available to help you navigate the curriculum, and when you arrive on campus, you'll quickly come to know and trust other faculty members as well as coaches, instructors and deans who will help you on your path.
Congratulations on taking the first steps toward your academic adventure!
If you have any questions about selecting course preferences or learning communities, feel free to contact the Deans.
Associate Dean of Faculty Donna Davenport is also a Professor in the Dance Department and an expert on dance and interdisciplinary education. You can e-mail her at donna_d@hws.edu.
Associate Dean of William Smith Lisa Kaenzig works with first-year William Smith students. If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact Dean Kaenzig at (315) 781-3467 or kaenzig@hws.edu.
Assistant Dean of Hobart David Mapstone '93 is responsble for first-year Hobart students. He also coordinates the Pre-Orientation Adventure Program. Dean Mapstone can be contacted at (315) 781-3300 or mapstone@hws.edu.
