After you are admitted

You might be tempted to ask, "Are we there yet?"

Well, we're closer. Even though we all wish you were at KU, there are still a few tasks left to complete before you can haul all your belongings out to the minivan for the trek to the Hill. Incoming freshmen must pay KU's New Student Fee before they can begin the enrollment process.

Here are a few more things you should consider.

New Student Orientation

Attending a New Student Orientation session will help you — and your parents — learn about the expectations at KU and the services here to help you succeed. It's also your first chance to enroll in courses for the coming semester. Engineering faculty work with incoming students from the outset to ensure freshmen enroll in classes that meet their interests and count toward their degree.

Math and foreign language placement exams may help you get where you want to be sooner and could affect the courses you choose during enrollment.

Initial placement in mathematics courses is determined by ACT math score. If you have an ACT math sub score of 27 or below (SAT 640) you will need to begin in MATH 104 Precalculus. If you believe you should start MATH 121 Calculus, you can take the Mathematics Department Placement Exam. Depending on the results of the exam, you could be eligible to enroll in MATH 121. You must register online to take the Placement Exam. Space is limited, so you are encouraged to register early, ad no later than the day before the exam.

If you plan to continue your studies in French, German or Spanish, you may choose to take online language placement exams.

Engineering Learning Community

The School of Engineering offers an engineering learning community (ELC) for freshmen students. This voluntary program brings together the best students on campus, the engineering and computer science students, for social and enrichment opportunities. Students participating in the ELC are placed in residence halls with other engineering students, and they are also encouraged to enroll in ENGR 101: Engineering Student Success, a weekly seminar offered during the Fall 2012 semester. Learn more about the ELC program.

Study Abroad / Global Education

Companies are constantly looking for employees who can speak other languages and have a deeper cultural understanding of the world. In fact, you may receive hiring preference if you're a bilingual KU graduate with international experience. To help you get that edge, the School of Engineering encourages Study Abroad programs, and provides Study Abroad scholarships for qualifying students who apply.

KU Study Abroad programs are available in 20 language locations throughout the world. Recent students in the School of Engineering have studied in Australia, Costa Rica, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Scotland and Sweden. Foreign language studies are not required for an engineering or computer science degree, but six hours of grammar courses in one language may fulfill your humanities requirement.

In addition, KU now offers the Global Awareness Program, which signifies international experience on the official KU transcript for any student completing the program.

You also can opt for an international studies co-major. International Studies is the intensive study of one foreign country or region, including its language, history, culture and institutions. International Studies helps students accept cultural differences and helps KU graduates avoid ethnocentrism in their global interactions.

You can follow some students on their travels and read their first-hand account of their experiences at a study abroad blog.

Learn more about Study Abroad programs for KU engineering and computing students.