New Student Information for Undergraduates

Below you will find important information that new students need to know. Please read over the areas, and click on the link at the end of each paragraph for more detailed information.

1. Begin by reading 1st section below
2. Click web link for the first section
3. A new window will open with additional information you should review
4. Close the new window that was opened and return to the main window
5. Repeat steps 1-4 for each of the sections of this “Things New Students Should Know” page

TOP THINGS NEW SCS UNDERGRADUATES NEED TO KNOW

Advising

Students may receive academic advising in person, via email or via phone. Advisers are available at either the Chicago or Evanston location. For more information please see:

• http://www.scs.northwestern.edu/student/advising.cfm

Bookstores

There are two bookstores that students may use to purchase class materials. One is located in Evanston (1999 Campus Drive, Norris Center) and one is located in Chicago (710 N. Lake Shore Drive, Abbott Hall, 1st floor). We encourage students to call before making a special trip to campus as hours vary. Students taking classes at our Loop location may purchase books at the Chicago bookstore.
For more information please see:

• http://www.scs.northwestern.edu/ugrad/information/books.cfm

Classroom Assignments

Classrooms are assigned 1-2 weeks before classes commence. In order to locate your classroom, you may identify the building name on the campus maps. Most classes at our Chicago campus are held in Wieboldt Hall.

For classroom assignments, please see:

• http://www.scs.northwestern.edu/courses/rooms.cfm

For campus maps, please see:

• http://www.scs.northwestern.edu/maps/

Computer Labs, Email & Your NetID

Both the Evanston and Chicago campus locations have computer laboratory facilities. A NetID and password are required to use these facilities. Students must have an active NetID and password so that they may register for their second term they are enrolled and access grades. After registering, first-time students will receive a letter in the mail with instructions on how to self-activate their NetID. This letter will contain a PIN and temporary password that will allow you to activate your NetID from any computer that has an Internet connection. For more information about NetIDs, visit the links below. Upon receipt of your letter with self-activation instructions, visit this website http://www.northwestern.edu/login to complete the self activation process. Computer labs are available at our Chicago campus at either the Schaffner Library located on the 2nd floor of Wieboldt Hall, or in Room 415 Wieboldt Hall (312/503-8820). Be sure to call ahead before making a special trip to campus.

Learn how you will get your NetID:

• http://www.scs.northwestern.edu/ugrad/registration/caesar/your_netid.cfm

Read more about NetID policies and services:

• http://www.it.northwestern.edu/accounts/netid/index.html

Find out about computer labs available to students:

• http://www.scs.northwestern.edu/student/information_technology.cfm

Deadlines for Dropping a Course

The School of Continuing Studies allows students in summer session to change their schedule until the second class meeting. After that time, students submit a change of registration form to officially drop classes. Students who do not formally withdrawal from classes will receive a grade of “X” or “F” on their transcript. Please refer to drop deadline information or contact an advisor for further guidance. The last day to drop an undergraduate class for summer session is at the midpoint of the course.

For more information about withdrawals please see:

• http://www.scs.northwestern.edu/ugrad/registration/changes_in_registration.cfm

More information about changing your registration:

• http://www.scs.northwestern.edu/ugrad/registration/changes_in_registration.cfm

Payment of Tuition

SCS will deliver your bills electronically to your Northwestern email account. You may then click on the email link or login to our student registration and financial system (CAESAR) with your NetID and password and pay your bill on Caesar by connecting to “quickpay.” For more information please see:

• http://www.scs.northwestern.edu/ugrad/tuition/payment_policy.cfm
• http://www.scs.northwestern.edu/ugrad/tuition/

Financial Aid and Scholarships

The Chicago Financial Aid office serves SCS students. Degree-seeking students are eligible for this service. Financial aid typically comes in the form of a combination of loans and grants. Students complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and some additional Northwestern University paperwork.

Learn more about financial aid:

• http://www.scs.northwestern.edu/ugrad/tuition/financial_aid.cfm

More information about scholarships:

• http://www.scs.northwestern.edu/student/scholarship_resources.cfm

Libraries

Students have access to the University’s libraries at both campus locations. You must present a valid WILDCARD (an NU student ID card explained below under “Wildcard ID” section) during certain hours. The main library provides research databases, extensive collections and microform materials.For more information, please see:

• http://www.scs.northwestern.edu/student/libraries.cfm

Parking and Transportation

Students may park on either campus for classes. Parking is free in the evening (after 4pm) at the Evanston campus. A reduced parking rate is available at the Chicago campus at one of two garages: 222 East Huron street or 321 East Erie Street (Mon-Fri from 4pm-10:30pm). There are also some parking meter spots. Quarter passes to park are available (parking hours vary) for purchase by calling 312/503-1103. An intercampus shuttle is also available for use by the Northwestern University community at no charge (a Wildcard is required to board). Parking at the Loop campus for a reduced rate is available at Traders Self Park Garage 326 South Wells (from 4-10pm).

For more information on parking please see:

• http://www.scs.northwestern.edu/student/parking.cfm

More about intercampus shuttles:

• http://www.univsvcs.northwestern.edu/shuttles/information.html

City bus and el schedules can be found here:

• http://www.transitchicago.com/

Metra schedules can be found here:

• http://www.metrarail.com/schedule.html

Registration, CAESAR & Course Evaluations

The first time that students register they submit a paper registration form. The second time they register, it will be through our online system called Caesar. Students are given course teacher evaluations at the close of each quarter called CTECS. Please have your NetID and password handy for these options.

For more information on registration, please see:

• http://www.scs.northwestern.edu/ugrad/registration/caesar/

To learn more about course evaluations visit:

• http://www.scs.northwestern.edu/student/issues/ctecs.cfm

SCS Offices

SCS offers two locations at Evanston and Chicago to serve students. For more information including office hours, visit:

• http://www.scs.northwestern.edu/about/offices.cfm

Student Life

SCS student organizations offer a number of events during the year. Students are afforded opportunities to participate in events and become involved in student leadership. For more information, please see:

• http://www.scs.northwestern.edu/student/organizations.cfm

Resource Listing

Students may occasionally need to contact offices such as a financial aid and student accounts. For more information on these and other resources, visit:

• http://www.scs.northwestern.edu/student/resources.cfm

Student Services

The student services department oversees advising, registration and student organizations. This team is here to support you in a variety of ways. You may seek advising assistance by calling or making an appointment or you may seek registration assistance. For more information, please see:

• http://www.scs.northwestern.edu/student
  We strongly recommend you bookmark the student services web page!

Wildcard ID

New students at Northwestern University are entitled to a student ID card called the "wildcard." This allows students to gain access to student events, the libraries and the intercampus shuttle system. Forty-eight hours after students are registered, they may pick up their wildcard. For more information, visit:

• http://www.scs.northwestern.edu/ugrad/information/wildcard.cfm