Who is my academic advisor?
How do I narrow my selection of courses?
Will I receive credit for any IB or AP exams I have taken?
If I am an international transfer student, which of my credits will transfer to St. Olaf?
What level courses should I choose?
What is full-time status?
May I take private music lessons if I’m not a music major?
Does the college need my completed transcripts?
Will I need to take an intensive English course?
What is the website for the listing of courses?
Examples of international students’ course selections
Who is my academic advisor?
All students are assigned academic Advisors in the departments in which you have expressed an interest in studying. You will meet your Advisor during Week One. These professors help students plan programs that enable them to complete their majors and fulfill their graduation requirements.
How do I narrow my selection of courses?
The curriculum provides students with the possibility of exploring a wide range of subjects. Academic Advisors help their advisees choose between the academic departments which offer almost five hundred courses each semester, in addition to independent studies, tutorials and internships. While students deepen their knowledge in the area of their major subject, they broaden their worldview by sampling courses in art, computer science, philosophy, foreign languages, religion, etc. Students are encouraged to participate in music organizations, student government, intramural sports and volunteer service activities. However, you will also need to balance your academic studies with your other activities.
Will I receive credit for any IB or AP exams I have taken?
With certain departmental restrictions, St. Olaf will award credit for scores of 5 through 7 on the Higher Exams of the International Baccalaureate Program, and credit or placement for scores of 4 through 5 on the Advanced Placement exams. Visit the Registrar’s website for more information.
If I am an international transfer student, which of my credits will transfer to St. Olaf?
The registrar will conduct a formal audit of your official transcript and will evaluate each course on an individual basis. In general, course work that is liberal arts in nature for which you have received at least a C grade will be transferable. Any transfer student will need to complete at least two full academic years of course work at St. Olaf College. A final audit will be conducted upon receipt of a final and official transcript from your current college or university, as well official scores of AP and IB exams. You will receive this well in advance of registering for course work at St. Olaf College. Transfer students will register for classes during the introduction week in September, ahead of the incoming first-year students. Please see the St. Olaf catalog for more details on transferring credits.
What level courses should I choose?
First-year students normally register for Level I courses (100-199). Students transferring to St. Olaf from other colleges may register for Level II (200-299) or Level III (300-399) courses. Students coming to St. Olaf for a one-year experience may choose classes from any level, depending on their preparation.
What is full-time status?
All students on F-1/J-1 visas are required to be enrolled in coursework full-time. In order to meet the visa requirement of being a full-time student, all international students must take at least 3.0 credits each semester (the maximum course-load is 4.5 courses), and 1 course during interim. If you take more than 4.5 credits, you will be charged an overload fee.
May I take private music lessons if I’m not a music major?
Yes. Please note there is a supplementary charge of $395 per class per semester for applied music courses such as voice or piano lessons.
Does the college need my completed transcripts?
Yes. All new degree-seeking first-year and transfer students (that is, all students who plan to graduate from St. Olaf College) must send completed, official copies of their high school (and university) transcripts to the Registrar by August 1. No student’s admission to college is official until transcripts for all previous academic work have been received by the Registrar.
Will I need to take an intensive English course?
All new international students will be required to take an International Student Writing Placement test during orientation. Students needing to upgrade their English skills will be required to register for English 107 Introduction to Academic Writing. College courses make heavy demands for both reading and writing so it is essential that English skills be developed.
What is the website for the listing of courses?
Course offerings and class schedules may be found by visiting
http://www.stolaf.edu/catalog/
http://www.stolaf.edu/classlab/
Examples of international students’ course selections
First-Year Student from India
Semester I
| Course | Credits |
| College English | 1.0 |
| Cellular Biology and Genetics | 1.0 |
| Calculus I | 1.0 |
| Principles of Psychology | 1.0 |
| Soccer | 0.25 |
| Total | 4.25 |
Interim
| Psychology of Leadership | 1.0 |
Semester II
| Organismic Biology | 1.0 |
| Bible in Culture and Community | 1.0 |
| Public Speaking | 1.0 |
| Introduction to Sociology | 1.0 |
| Ballroom Dancing | 0.25 |
| Total | 4.25 |
Transfer Student from Germany
Semester I
| American Culture | 1.0 |
| College English | 1.0 |
| Beginning Norwegian | 1.0 |
| Basketball | 0.25 |
| Volleyball | 0.25 |
| Adapted Physical Education | 0.50 |
| Total | 4.0 |
Interim
| Foundation Perceptual Drawing | 1.0 |
Semester II
| History: Europe and Muslim World | 1.0 |
| Principles of Psychology | 1.0 |
| Dynamics of Wellness | 1.0 |
| Psychology of Sports | 0.50 |
| Swimming Fitness | 0.25 |
| Total | 3.75 |
Exchange Student from Japan
Semester I
| English as a Second Language | 1.0 |
| American Culture | 1.0 |
| Fine Arts | 1.0 |
| Foundation Color Design | 0.50 |
| Modern Dance I | 0.25 |
| Total | 3.75 |
Interim
| Women, Men, and Communication | 1.0 |
Semester II
| Art since 1945 | 1.0 |
| College English | 1.0 |
| Marriage and the Family | 1.0 |
| Ballet | 0.25 |
| Total | 3.25 |