Bachelor of Arts Counselling Office - baco@uoguelph.ca

Here are some things to consider when it comes to course selection:

Are you entering your 2nd year (semester level 3 or higher)?

  • At this point you should have a focus towards a certain major or area of concentration and perhaps a minor
  • Ensure you are checking the Schedule of Studies in the undergraduate calendar and you can also be browsing the course descriptions as well.
  • Two to three courses towards your major per semester is recommended.  Other courses can be electives (courses of interest in other subject areas).
  • You can also be finishing your BA distribution requirements at this time as well.
  • For some majors, there are numerous 2000 level required courses and you may not need to have all of them completed within your 2nd year.  Generally, departments will outline the courses that are more time sensitive and offer recommendations regarding when to complete them in the Schedule of Studies information.

Are you entering your 3rd year (semester level 5 or higher)?

  • At this point, you may be taking three courses per semester in your major/area of concentration.
  • Though you may still have room for 2000 level electives, you may want to focus on taking 3000 (or 4000) level classes.
  • You should be looking ahead to 4000 level classes you are interested in to ensure that you can fit in all prerequisites ahead of time (course descriptions).
  • You should continue to refer to your Program/Academic Evaluation which can be accessed through Webadvisor.
  • If you are completing a general BA, you should have a grad check completed before your last semester to ensure that all requirements will be met.

Are you entering your 4th year (semester level 7 or higher)?

  • Check your academic evaluation carefully!  Review all courses you are planning to take in your final year to ensure that they will meet all major requirements as well as your overall BA requirements.
  • You should be taking mostly senior level courses (3000 level or higher).
  • Remember that you will need a 70% average in your major and minor courses in order to be eligible to graduate (with those specializations).  If you are worried about meeting requirements, please come and see us to review your options.
  • If you are in an honours BA and are instead thinking of completing a general BA, please come and see us in BACO.
  • If you are completing an honours BA, you should have a grad check completed before your last semester to ensure that all requirements will be met.

NOTE: the “Schedule of Studies” link brings you to the 2009/ 2010 calendar. To access prior calendars, you need to click on the “archive” link. If you are unsure which calendar you are registered under, check the top left hand corner of your Program Evaluation.