Advising Handbook

Enrollment Policy

Students admitted in the fall of 2013 and afterward are expected to carry the normal academic load of 16 credits per semester allowing them to complete 128 credits in eight semesters. To ensure that students get the full benefit of a University of Rochester experience, students who are admitted as first-year students, are expected to maintain full-time enrollment (at least 12 credit hours) at the University of Rochester during the fall and spring semesters for no less than seven semesters. Students who plan to accelerate their graduation and finish their degree requirements in seven semesters are expected to meet with an advisor in the College Center for Advising Services to discuss their plans and file the appropriate paperwork.

The enrollment policy requirement is modified for transfer students as noted in the chart below. Minimally, all transfer students are expected to maintain full-time enrollment (at least 12 credit hours) at the University of Rochester during the fall and spring semesters for no less than four semesters. At least 48 credits must be earned at the University of Rochester in order to receive a University of Rochester degree.

International students are required to notify the International Services Office if their completion date will be different from the date listed on their I-20. Students who studied remotely in fall 2020 and spring 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, will be permitted to apply either or both semesters of remote study toward the College's enrollment policy. Additionally, students participating in the Study Local in China program in fall 2020 and spring 2021 may apply one or both semesters of study toward the College's enrollment policy.

Study Abroad

Semesters spent on University of Rochester study abroad academic year programs that permit continuation of University of Rochester financial aid are considered the equivalent of full-time semesters in residence. Students who wish to participate in non-University of Rochester study abroad programs should be aware that these programs do not apply toward the Enrollment Policy.

Summer and Transfer Credit

Summer courses completed at the University of Rochester and transfer credit (including online courses taken elsewhere), credit for Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) exams, as well as overload credits (earned over the standard 16 per semester) may be applied to meet College requirements. However, students may not use this credit to accelerate their graduation by more than one semester.

When the College has contracted for the provision of courses taken elsewhere (e.g. the Rochester Area Colleges Inter-Institutional Agreement), the dean may waive the transfer credit limit.

Part-time Study

Students who enroll on a part-time basis, or who declare a leave of absence during the term, should discuss their circumstances with an advisor in the College Center for Advising Services to be sure they understand how the Enrollment Policy will be met.

Enrollment Policy (Transfer Students)

The following chart should be used to determine the minimum number of full-time semesters required of a transfer student in order to fulfill the Enrollment Policy. Transfer students may apply the total number of credits awarded, including credit for Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) exams, toward the Enrollment Policy.

Beginning with transfer students entering in fall 2024, students will be limited to a maximum of 16 credits total through examination scores (AP, IB, A-Level, CAPE) and college coursework on a college campus while in high school. College credits beyond these limits, may still be used for placement purposes, general degree requirements and major/minor requirements as allowed by individual departments.

All transfer students must complete a minimum of four semesters of full-time study at the University of Rochester in either a fall or spring semester to receive a University of Rochester degree. Additionally, a minimum of 48 credits must be earned at the University of Rochester to receive a University of Rochester degree.