Academic Milestone Checklist

We invite you to use this as a resource to check your progress as you matriculate through Columbian College to ensure you're taking full advantage of all the resources offered by the university.

First-Year Milestones

Summer

Look for an email invitation to join GW’s career platform, Handshake, and set up a profile.
Attend GW Student Employment webinars on preparing for and finding on-campus work-study jobs in July.

Fall

Make sure all your AP/IB/dual enrollment credits have posted and been applied to DegreeMAP correctly.
Take exploratory classes to identify a potential major.
Consider taking a Dean’s Seminar.
Attend faculty office hours.
Utilize DegreeMAP to create a four-year plan.
Know how to access and use GW academic resources: GW Bulletin, DegreeMAP, Schedule of Classes, approved G-PAC courses and the GWeb Information System.
Learn about on-campus student services, including: Colonial Health Center, Disability Support Services, Center for Student Engagement, Academic Commons, Military & Veteran Services, Multicultural Student Services Center, International Services Office (ISO), and the Center for Career Services.
Meet with a Student Career Ambassador to create a resume and load it on VMock for feedback.
Meet with a Career Exploration Coach to discuss self-assessments such as the Strong Interest Inventory, CliftonStrengths and MBTI.
Attend a CCAS First-Year Advising Workshop.
Attend a pre-health/pre-law information session, if applicable.
If you wish to apply to transfer from CCAS to the School of Business, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Milken Institute School of Public Health or Elliott School of International Affairs, please review the Internal Transfer Requirements.
Speak with an advisor if you are interested in a selective, application-based major (i.e., Communication, English, Journalism & Mass Communication, Political Communication, and Corcoran BFA majors).
Familiarize yourself with the withdrawal policy.
If you are an international student, meet with your ISO advisor for a check-in.

Spring

Attend faculty office hours.
Take UW 1020 if you did not take it in the fall.
Take exploratory classes that you are passionate about.
Consider joining a student organization.
Meet with an Advisor to discuss the First-Year Forgiveness Policy, if needed.
Get upcoming transfer credit approved prior to enrolling in another academic institution.
Contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance to review your financial aid package and ask questions about your FAFSA, if necessary.

Sophomore Year Milestones

Fall

Make sure any completed transfer credits have posted and been applied to DegreeMAP correctly.
Meet with your POD advisor.
Take exploratory classes to identify a potential major.
Create a personal 4 year academic plan with the assistance of a faculty advisor and your POD advisor.
Consider applying for a Luther Rice Undergraduate Research Fellowship.
Talk with an advisor about the First-Year Forgiveness Policy.
Check out GW Passport to explore Study Abroad options.
Meet with a pre-professional advisor to discuss your readiness to apply to graduate/professional schools.
Visit the Center for Career Services or attend a career event to explore career fields or options for Summer Internships.

Spring

Before you declare your major, attend a Strong Interest Inventory workshop to help you consider potential majors that fit your interests.
Meet with your faculty advisor and declare your major.
Make any necessary adjustments to your 4 year academic plan. Consider applying for a Luther Rice Undergraduate Research Fellowship.
Check out GW Passport to explore Study Abroad options.
Apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), if applicable.
Consider applying for internship or research credit, either CCAS 2154/3001 or a major-specific class.
Get upcoming transfer credit approved (TCAF PDF Form) prior to enrolling in another academic institution.

Junior Year Milestones

Meet with your POD advisor to discuss your progress with completing general education and/or your faculty advisor to discuss your progress with major/minor degree requirements and make any necessary adjustments (e.g., course substitutions) to your academic plan.
Make sure any completed transfer credits have posted and been applied to DegreeMAP correctly.
Meet with a pre-professional advisor to discuss your readiness to apply to graduate/professional schools.
HPAC
Attend the D.C. Law School Fair in October
Consider applying for a Luther Rice Undergraduate Research Fellowship.
Speak with an advisor about taking an elective class Pass/No Pass.
Challenge yourself in your particular organizations or engagements by applying for leadership roles, taking on special projects, creating new initiatives, etc.
Apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), if applicable.
Meet with a Career Industry Coach for guidance on finding and applying for a summer or semester internship OR other career-related experience.
Attend employer panels, networking events, and site visits offered through Career Services.
Consider applying for internship or research credit, either CCAS 2154/3001 or a major-specific class.
Research and consider applying for one of the CCAS combined degree programs
Get upcoming transfer credit approved (TCAF PDF Form) prior to enrolling in another academic institution.

Senior Year Milestones

Fall

Finalize your Major(s) and/or Minor(s) in advance of submitting your graduation application.
Submit your “Intent to Graduate” form to CCAS Advising.
Speak with an advisor about taking an elective class Pass/No Pass.
Meet with your POD advisor to discuss your progress with completing general education and/or your faculty advisor to discuss your progress with major/minor degree requirements and make any necessary adjustments (e.g., course substitutions) to your academic plan.
Check Handshake for potential internship or job opportunities and consider applying for internship credit, if applicable.
Meet with a pre-professional advisor to discuss your readiness to apply to graduate/professional schools
Ask faculty, staff, and past employers to be references for you.
Attend a CCAS-hosted senior meeting.
Consider applying for CCAS-sponsored scholarly travel funds (PDF).
Register for your final semester’s classes and submit your official graduation application through GWeb.
Complete applicable paperwork to be a part-time student in your final semester
- Reduced Course Load
- Undergraduate Change Form (PDF)

Spring

Meet with Career Industry Coaches in Career Services to tailor your resume and cover letter, develop industry-specific job search strategies, and practice interview skills.
Make sure all transfer and study abroad credit transcripts have been sent to GW and all transfer credit has posted correctly on DegreeMAP.
Confirm with an academic advisor that DegreeMAP accurately reflects your degree progress including finalizing petitions, transfer credits, and course substitutions
Apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), if applicable.