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New Students

These stairs will give me great calves!

Frequently Asked Questions

To ask other questions or to meet other new Seaver College students and parents, please join us at Facebook.  (Click on the "Like" button to be able to submit a question or comment).

When will I register for classes?

First-year students will be assigned an initial class schedule by academic advisors. Please know that each student's first semester class schedule is developed and reviewed by a team of advisors in consultation with related faculty members and academic and administrative offices. (Subsequent semester schedules are determined by the student in collaboration with an academic advisor).

In planning your first semester schedule, we are committed to placing you in the appropriate first term major and general education requirements. Every class in which we register you will fulfill one of those requirements based on the information you give us on the NSO Registration and Academic Response Form. (More info on why we pre-assign you to classes)  Transfer students will register during NSO following academic counseling with their major division.

Will I be able to change my schedule?

Please know that not all students are required to take certain classes in their first year of study. For example, a communications student does not need to take a math class in the first term, but someone pursuing a business program might. During NSO you will have the opportunity to change your schedule to include elective coursework or to reflect a change of major should the need arise.

I'm a transfer student - How will I register for classes?

If you are entering Pepperdine with 30 or more units under your belt (from a regionally accredited university) you are considered a transfer student! That means you will register for classes with your academic division during NSO. Once we receive your official transcripts, we enter the courses on your record and that updates your Degree Audit Report, a tool that helps you track your progress. You should look at WaveNet to be sure that we have included these units on your record. Please keep in mind, though, that sometimes it takes several weeks after the end of the grading period for a school to mail out transcripts. We suggest that you bring to NSO an unofficial copy of your transcripts (or sealed official one if you have it) so that when you register with your new academic division, you will be able to show them your most recent accomplishments.

What happens if I can't get my immunizations in time?

If you are unable to obtain the required immunizations prior to NSO you should still complete and submit your health history form by the August 5 deadline. The law requires that you be immunized prior to attendance so we will have to drop your classes if you do not comply with this requirement. Note that the Health Center will be able to give you these immunizations on your arrival, but NSO is very busy time so we urge you not to wait until then to care of this.

How often should I check my Pepperdine E-mail?

Frequently! The University will use this address to communicate with you about classes, deadlines and all official information. Also, if you want to communicate with us via E-mail, you should use the Pepperdine system as it is the only one we consider to be officially from you.

Is there a pre-enrollment reading/writing assignment?

Yes.  Incoming freshmen with less than 30 A.P. or college transfer units should complete the First Year Seminar Voyage readings and writing assignment before arriving on campus for orientation. (access the readings)

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When can I check in for orientation?

  • International Students
    NSO begins Monday, August 20. Check-in is at 9:30 a.m. in Rho Parking Lot.
  • Domestic Students
    NSO begins Tuesday, August 21. Check-in starts at 8 a.m. in Rho Parking Lot. Specific check-in time will be mailed to each incoming student during the summer. Early check-in will not be possible.

May I check in early?

Housing is unable to accommodate early arrivals.

Where do late arrivals go?

Students unable to arrive during their assigned check-in time should report to the Howard A. White Center (HAWC).

When does orientation end?

Orientation ends for parents at 3 p.m. Thursday, August 23.  Orientation events continue for students through the evening.  Classes begin Monday, August 27. 

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Which cell service works on campus?

The location and physical terrain of the Malibu campus present significant challenges for cellular service coverage. The university Information Technology group continues to work with cellular service providers to offer better coverage options to our campus community. Unfortunately, this negotiation process is slow due to regulatory and technical constraints. In addition, we have been challenged by some of the recent acquisitions in this market.  (current status of cellular coverage)

What do the residence halls ( dorms) look like?

New students are usually assigned to a suite-style residence hall.  Each two-person bedroom is approximately 170 square feet and each suite (including four bedrooms) is approximately 1,014 square feet.  (more info)  (residence hall pictures)

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Study group.

Why do you pre-assign students a course schedule rather than letting them choose their own courses for their first term?

We have created a schedule of courses for new freshmen for a variety of reasons.

  • During previous NSO sessions, the only traumatic time (that sometimes left students in tears) has been the registration period for classes.
  • In the past, students spent a considerable amount of time during NSO worrying about what courses to take and whether they would get an "ideal" schedule (typically "ideal" meant no 8 a.m. or evening classes, and no Friday classes). Also, although students crafted this "ideal" schedule while in line, often by the time it was their turn to register, inevitably some of their course selections had closed.
  • Students were often unfamiliar with the distinction between General Education courses (GE), courses required for specific majors, and electives. Lack of familiarity with degree programs added to the anxiety level.
  • To rectify this situation, we have created schedules for each incoming student. The following factors weigh in our selection of courses for your students.
    • The idea that most other students have an ideal schedule and you received the only miserable schedule is a myth. In reality, in the old system, about 20% had an attractive schedule; the other 80% had significant challenges, not finding viable times and courses to fill a schedule. By pre-enrolling all students together, we have been able to provide all incoming students with "fair" schedules; no students are privileged with better schedules to the detriment of their peers.
    • The schedule you receive utilizes the following information you have provided:
      • AP scores and other transfer units
      • Foreign language scores (so that we can place the student in the appropriate language class)
      • Intended major
      • Desire to go abroad
      • For students involved in college athletics, we have also factored in practice times provided by the athletics office.
  • By pre-enrolling you in the appropriate General Education and major courses, we can guarantee that any course taken during the first semester will satisfy either a GE requirement or a major requirement. The schedule you will receive has been reviewed by at least 3-4 people in Academic Advising and in the respective academic divisions.
  • If we have created a schedule that is not viable based on misinformation or information we did not have, we will have a time period during NSO when incoming students can come and adjust their schedules.
  • We only pre-select courses for students the first semester. In subsequent semesters all students will select for themselves their courses. Interestingly, numerous students have expressed their appreciation to us later when they discovered the challenges of creating their own schedule.
  • We are convinced this approach results in a thoroughly enjoyable NSO, without the stress of struggling to get the right courses and create a viable schedule.

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