First Year Students Q&A

1. What are placement tests?

The Accuplacer placement exams are given to determine the level of English and Math a student is eligible to take. Students who need to take the English and Math placement exams must take them prior to enrolling for courses at La Sierra University.

International students may be required to take additional language proficiency tests depending on their circumstances.

2. Is testing required? How do I know if I will need to take the English and Math placement tests?

The need for placement testing is based on SAT/ACT scores, AP test results, and /or previous college-level English and/or Math. Students transferring in appropriate college-level English and/or Math because of college courses or AP credit are not required to take the placement exams. For this reason, it is important to have transcripts and test results sent to LSU, immediately.

English. Students with SAT Critical Reading scores between 350 – 540 (or ACT below 22) will be required to take the placement exam to determine the level of English course that is most appropriate to develop writing skills essential at the University level. Students with SAT scores not in this range (or ACT above 21) do not take the placement exam and are placed directly into an appropriate English class.

Math. Students with SAT Math score below 580 (or ACT below 23) will be required to take the placement exam to determine the level of Math course that is most appropriate to develop computational skills essential at the University level. Students with a minimum SAT Math score of 580 (or minimum ACT of 23) are not required to take the Math placement exam and will be placed directly into an appropriate college-level math course. If students in this category (SAT minimum of 580 or ACT minimum of 23) would like to try to place in a higher level math course, he/she must take the math placement exam to determine eligibility.

To determine whether testing is needed, please call the

Learning Support & Testing Center at (951) 785-2896.

3. Should I study for the placement tests?

It is recommended that students who will take the English or Math placement exams review their high school texts and study the online resources before taking the placement exams.

4. Do I have to attend a Summer Orientation?

Yes. All first-year students must attend a Summer Orientation. It is recommended that students attend as early in the summer as possible. It is important to note that students who participate in the full-two day orientation and register for classes by the end of August are eligible for a $300 textbook or tuition scholarship. (All scholarships are awarded according to the LSU packaging guidelines and U.S. Dept. of Education, Title IV regulations.)

5. Do I have to stay in the residence hall during Orientation?

All students have the option of experiencing residential life by remaining on campus overnight during the Summer Orientation. Staying on campus allows you to participate fully in all the social and academic events without worrying about traffic or being distracted with off-campus responsibilities. Bedding and towels are provided. This is optional and available at no extra charge to students.

Students who choose not to stay on-campus overnight, however, are still required to participate in the full, two-day Summer Orientation experience for the entirety of the time on both days.

6. Do I have to stay for the entire 2 days of Orientation?

Yes. Students are expected to participate in the full programming of Summer Orientation. We have designed every activity to meet your needs as you prepare to attend La Sierra in the Fall. Missing out in any of the activities may hinder your ability to register for classes or prevent you from gaining important information that you will need now or in the near future. In addition, your eligibility for the $300 textbook or tuition scholarship is based on your attendance to the full two-day experience.

7. Where does the Orientation begin?

On the first day of Summer Orientation you will meet the C-SAS staff in the newly named Sierra Vista Hall (former Psychology Building) on the corner of Sierra Vista Avenue and Pierce Street (across from the LSU Church). Parking is available behind our building, in Parking Lot E. A map of campus is available here.

8. How do I receive the $300 scholarship?

Eligibility Criteria for the $300 Summer Scholarship (tuition or books):

1) Attend ALL activities associated with one of 2-day orientation during the months of July or August
2) Complete registration of classes by August 30
3) Submit ALL required paperwork to Admissions by August 30
4) Submit ALL required paperwork to Student Financial Services by August 30
5) Submit completed health physical and immunization forms to Health Services by August 30

All scholarships are awarded according to LSU packaging guidelines and U.S. Dept. of Education Title IV regulations.

9.What does Summer Orientation cost?

Meals, placement testing, supplies, and residential hall overnight stay will all be provided during orientation. Students who want to have a health physical on campus are charged $75. There is an additional cost for immunizations. All freshmen are charged $80, as part of the freshman class fee, that goes on your Fall Quarter statement to help defray the costs of Summer and Parent Orientations.

10. What do I do if I want to reschedule my Summer Orientation or Parent Orientation date?

To request a change of orientation date, please contact C-SAS at (951) 785-2452. Because space is limited, however, we cannot assure that we will have space available in the new orientation date you request. The best thing to do is to plan ahead and register as soon as possible, to ensure that you schedule a date that is convenient for you.

11. Do my parents (or guardians) have to attend Summer Orientation with me?

Parents are not required to attend Summer Orientation with you, but they are highly encouraged to attend a Parent Orientation. Parents have the option of attending a Parent Orientation on the week that you come on campus or one of the other scheduled Parent Orientations throughout the summer. In the past, however, parents have expressed that they enjoy sharing in their son/daughter’s first encounter with the University, so it might be that they will want to come to their Parent Orientation on the first day that you attend Summer Orientation. When parents attend Parent Orientation the same week as their student attends Summer Orientation, there is some overlap in the activities so that parents and students have some opportunity to be together. However, it is important to note that even if your parents attend Summer Orientation with you, they will not be able to spend the whole time with you, because you will be very busy participating in the many activities we have planned, and they will be involved in Parent Orientation until 2 p.m. of the first day. You will have some time to share lunch with them on the first day of orientation, if they wish to attend the Parent Orientation.

12. Must my parents (or guardians) attend a Parent Orientation?

Parent Orientation is not a requirement, but it is highly encouraged. During this time, parents will meet LSU administrators, staff, and faculty and learn about the opportunities and resources available to you. Parents will then have the opportunity to schedule an appointment to meet with a financial aid counselor. Being part of a Parent Orientation will allow your parents to learn more about La Sierra University and the college experience that we offer our students. If your parents are interested in attending a Parent Orientation, you must indicate the day they wish to attend when you register for Summer Orientation.

13. Are there any Parent Orientations for Spanish speakers?

Yes. Spanish Parent Orientation sessions will be offered on Wednesday, August 6 and Sunday, August 24.

14. Can my parents stay in the residence hall during the Orientation?

Parents from out-of-town who wish to stay overnight in a residence hall can make those arrangements by calling 951-785-2025 (Angwin Hall, females) or 951-785-2229 (Sierra Towers, males). As mentioned previously, there is no charge for students, but additional rooms for parents can be reserved at a price determined by Residential Life. Please contact the residence hall dean regarding pricing. Other local hotel accommodations can be found here.

15. Is there an Orientation for International Students?

International students also attend an orientation.

• UNDERGRADUATE FIRST-YEAR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS are encouraged to attend the Summer Orientation specially designed for their needs, scheduled on September 15-16. However, first-year students may attend any of the 2-day orientations scheduled throughout the summer.
• UNDERGRADUATE TRANSFER INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS are encouraged to attend one of our Transfer Orientations on August 11 or September 11, from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• GRADUATE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS are encouraged to attend orientation on September 17-18, beginning at 8:30 a.m. each day. To register contact Natan Vigna (see below).
  

During the orientations listed above, you will experience the activities planned for Summer Orientation, but you will also:

• Become oriented with American values and standards
• Update your immigration records and learn about the immigration regulations you must follow
• Meet your fellow international students.
• Take all required placement tests, get advised for classes, register and become introduced to LSU life.
  

Questions regarding International Students? Check online, email Natan Vigna at nvigna@lasierra.edu, or call (951) 785-2237.

16. What are registration holds?

Registration holds are departmental blocks that prevent you from registering until you speak to the indicated individual(s) in a department and provide necessary information or documentation. These holds are placed by different administrative departments to ensure that your academic, personal, or financial records are current and complete before you register for courses.

17. How do I find out if I have holds?
How do I clear holds?

As part of Summer Orientation, the C-SAS staff will help you look up and clear your holds. We will also teach you how to access your holds online so that you may do this on your own in the future.

18. What does Health Services require?

All students are required to have a current health physical (within one year) and up-to-date immunizations. The Health Record and Physical Examination form must be completed and submitted to La Sierra University Health Services before attending classes.

Options:

1. Turn in the required form (physicals and immunizations) to Health Services during summer orientation. Personnel from Health Services are available today in the Cactus Room from 2:45pm - 5pm to receive the paperwork and/or to answer questions.

2. Complete the required form (physicals and immunizations) and turn in to Health Services by Sept. 16. Eligibility for the $300 summer scholarship includes completion of the health requirement and delivery of the required paperwork to Health Services by the end of August.

3. Schedule an appointment with Health Services for a physical during summer orientation. The $75 fee for the health physical and the additional immunization fees* will be charged to the student account. Personnel from Health Services are available today in the Cactus Room from 2:45pm - 5pm to schedule appointments.

4. If the required paperwork is not received by Health Services by Sept. 16, the student will be required to have a health physical and immunizations during the required IGNITE program and will be charged the $75 fee and additional costs for immunizations* on their student account.

Students are not permitted to attend classes without meeting the health requirement.

19. How do I reserve a residence hall room for Fall 2008?

To reserve a residence hall room for Fall Quarter, students must complete the Residence Hall Application and provide a $100 room deposit.

• Payment options:
• By phone (credit card), call the Bursar’s Office (951) 785-2152
• In person, pay at the Bursar’s Office in the Administration Building
• Mail, send in a check or money order with your LSU ID # to:
• Bursar’s Office, La Sierra University, 4500 Riverwalk Pkwy, Riverside, CA 92515-8247. Make checks payable to La Sierra University.

For additional information: Women’s Residence Hall – (951) 785-2025, Men’s Residence Hall – (951) 785-2229.

20. Who are the academic advising coaches?

Academic advising coaches are recent college graduates that work with first-year students throughout their first year in college to help them enjoy a positive and successful academic experience. Students meet with an assigned academic advising coach on a weekly basis for 30-minute sessions to discuss academic goals and strategies, personal circumstances affecting academic progress, campus resources, and advising information. Academic advising coaches also team-teach first-year seminar courses along with University faculty members. Finally, coaches help create and present workshops designed to help students learn more about academic strategies and other issues important to the first-year college experience.

21. When do Fall classes begin?

Classes for all students begin Monday, September 22.