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It Really Isn't As Difficult As it Seems!

Adult Student Profile

Step 1: Apply

Step 2: Financial Aid

Step 3: Plan & Prepare

Step 4: Advisement & Registration

Step 5: To Do List

Step 6: Be the Best Student You Can Be!

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STEP 3: Plan and Prepare

student sitting holding a pencil and a notebookHaving completed the first two steps you will now have a short period of time before hearing about your application for admission and/or financial aid.

Take this time to browse the General Education requirements. These are the classes you will primarily be completing the first couple years of your college education (if you did not transfer them in). While a number of classes are specific requirements, the Humanities/Social Sciences perspective offers a variety of choices to fulfill these requirements. Use the online catalog to view a description of these classes to find subjects that are of interest to you. If you need help making a decision about your major, some of these electives can offer insight that might help you make a more educated choice when you do select a major. Or, if you have a declared major, it would be wise to refer to the specific requirements for your degree program, to determine if there are specific General Education classes required.

Now would also be the time to take a close look at your scheduling opportunities. If you have to work around obligations to schedule your classes, it is important to know exactly when your schedule will allow for classes. Check out the class schedule online to see when the classes you are hoping to take for this semester will be offered. You might even try a trial schedule to take with you when you meet with your advisor.

If you have never had a college level math or English class, you will need to take placement tests. If you are 22 or older, you are not required to have an SAT or ACT score on file, instead the placement tests will determine your entry level class for math and English. Call the Adult Student Services Office at 417-835-6184 to schedule an appointment to take these tests. Depending on your placement, these subjects could take more than one semester to complete the General Education requirements for graduation.

Once you receive your acceptance letter you will need to set up your PIN (personal identification number) number, to access to your information online. To set up a PIN number start at the Missouri State University home page – www.missouristate.edu , select Current Students, select “My Information”, select “PIN”, and follow the instructions for “Pick a PIN”. All of the information from the “My Information” page will be accessible only after you set up a PIN number. The “My Information” is a valuable tool that you will use frequently. You will be able to order your books, register your vehicle, make payments on your account, view your transcript, perform a degree audit, and access your grade report.

It pays to plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.