Registration

When do I register for classes? Will I have someone to help me register? Will my prior courses and college credit transfer to Otterbein? These questions and more will be answered below. 

On this page:

How do I register?

• Watch your Otterbein email for a link to schedule your New Student Registration advising appointment 
• Click on the emailed link to schedule your 60-minute New Student Registration advising appointment with an Academic Advisor 
• Respond to the question sent after you book the appointment. This will allow the advising team to create a preliminary first-term schedule
• During the appointment, you will discuss the schedule and make any necessary adjustments for your major
• The advising appointment can take place on Otterbein’s campus or virtually through a video call 
• The New Student Registration advising appointment must take place before attending SOAR to ensure your major and course schedule are aligned 

What if I need accommodations for my disability?

We encourage all students who have a disability to contact DisabilityServices@otterbein.edu or 614.823.1610 to discuss accommodation requests and potential documentation requirements, which may vary by situation and individual. The Disability Services staff will determine appropriate accommodations through an interactive process based on discussion with the student, the student’s history of accommodations, and documentation. See the Academic Support and Transition Services section for more information.

• Your assigned academic advisor, an Otterbein faculty member, will be with you throughout your time at Otterbein. They assist you with academic planning with holistic consideration of your major and career goals.

  • Make an appointment to meet with your assigned faculty advisor when the school year officially starts.

  • Advisors and students work together in the advising relationship, and both have responsibilities to make the relationship work. Learn more about advising and how to be successful in this partnership at www.otterbein.edu/sscd/academic-advising.

  • Best practice is for students to meet with their advisor at least once a semester before course registration for the following semester

Advisor responsibilities:

• Understanding all aspects of Otterbein’s grading policy
• Understanding the mechanics of enrolling a student, such as scheduling, the add/drop process and closed section situations
• Knowing where to refer students when needs arise
• Helping the student plan a complete course designed through personal interaction with the student, utilizing career interests and academic records
• Relaying information that they may have about extracurricular activities and career opportunities that could enhance the student’s learning experiences

Student responsibilities:

• Making an appointment for consultations during posted office hours, when possible, and keeping appointments
• Consulting with your advisor at least once per semester
• Seeking assistance with the decisions to be made rather than expecting the advisor to make them
• Seeking additional counsel from other appropriate sources if necessary
• Knowing the academic calendar
• Running a degree audit each term, in DegreeWorks, to check how you are progressing with your graduation requirements

What is the difference between a guidance counselor and advisor?

In high school you likely had a guidance counselor who was available to assist with your course scheduling and college planning. You may or may not have used this person very much, and such roles may have varied from school to school. Academic advisors at Otterbein are faculty members in your academic department (based on major). This person is both a resource for the logistics and mechanics of scheduling, but more importantly, they are also a guide and mentor to help you make the most of your education at Otterbein. They can help you think through what you want to do with your degree, what types of research or involvement you might like to pursue, and how to make the most of your time at Otterbein.

How often should I meet with my advisor?

You should meet with your advisor at least once per semester prior to course registration for the following semester. Your advisor can help make your Otterbein experience richer and more meaningful by suggesting courses, activities and lectures in which you might be interested. They can recommend how to handle different academic situations and resolve scheduling issues. Ultimately, your advisor may be someone who helps you find an internship, writes you a letter of recommendation for graduate school or serves as a reference for your first job.

What if I want to change my advisor?

If you need to change advisors, you can pick out another advisor with whom you’d like to work. Ideally, you will pick someone in your field of interest, from whom you have taken one or more classes, with whom you have spoken outside of class, and who has a communication style/personality that meshes with yours. The Office of the Registrar will be more than happy to help you facilitate an advisor change if you decide you’d like to make one. Contact registrar@otterbein.edu or visit Towers 027.

Is my advisor the only person that can help me with my academic plans?

No. Otterbein has many people who want to help you succeed. Your advisor is your official guide when it comes to academic planning, but you can also seek advice and guidance from other faculty in your department or from whom you’ve taken classes, and staff from various departments on campus. Student Success and Career Development can be a great starting point for any questions or concerns.

Dual Enrollment/College Credit Plus

• Completed college courses through College Credit Plus or Dual Enrollment, must be sent as an official transcript from the college or university where the course was completed
• High School transcripts are not accepted to transfer college or university credits 
• Send your transcript to:
• Otterbein University, 1 South Grove Street, Westerville, OH 43081
•  Send electronic copies to: enrollmentservices@otterbein.edu.
•  Avoid duplicate credit registrations by sending transcripts as soon as grades are posted

Advanced Placement (AP) & International Baccalaureate (IB)

• Double-check your College Board portal to ensure your AP scores will be sent officially to Otterbein University
  • If you listed Otterbein University as a recipient, your AP score report will be sent automatically.
  • If you did not list Otterbein as a recipient of the AP score report, please request that a copy be sent officially to Otterbein University
• Credit, based on exam and score, will be posted to your academic record at that time.
• IB transcript information is downloaded by the Office of Admission during the summer following your high school graduation
  • Contact the Otterbein University Office of Admission (614-823-1500) if you did not request that the information be provided to Otterbein

• Information regarding applicable credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams or International Baccalaureate (IB) credit can be found in the online Otterbein University Course Catalog, under Academic Policies and Procedures

Accommodations

• Students who have a disability are encouraged to contact DisabilityServices@otterbein.edu or 614.823.1610 to discuss accommodation requests and potential documentation requirements, which may vary by situation and individual
• The Disability Services staff will determine appropriate accommodations through an interactive process based on discussion with the student, the student’s history of accommodations, and documentation
• See the Academic Support and Transition Services section for more information

Linked Resources

• Academic Majors
• How to View Your Course Schedule on OtterNet Guide
• How to View Your Course Schedule on OtterNet Video 
• How to Register for Courses on OtterNet Guide
• How to Add a Course on OtterNet Video
• How to Drop a Course on OtterNet Video
• How to Waitlist a Course on OtterNet Video