In order for your advisor to most appropriately support you during Orientation, you must have completed all the necessary online advising and placement tests before you attend Orientation.

You will need a computer with internet access. Choose one with the fastest possible internet connection (Ethernet or better). If one is not available to you at home, you may access a computer at your school or public library.

• Early Registration Advising, available now, for students admitted for Summer or Fall 2012.
• Math Placement Tests, available now, for students admitted for Summer or Fall 2012. Who should take a Math Placement Test?
• Language Placement Tests - Students who plan to take foreign language at Appalachian in French, German or Spanish must complete an on-line test in that language.

If you cannot possibly complete all your necessary tests before Orientation, do as many as you can. There will be time alloted during Orientation for students to take any missed placement tests-- but only enough time to take one test!

• Latin, Russian, Chinese and Japanese Placement Tests - Students needing assessment in Latin, Russian, Chinese and Japanese should contact the Office of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures to facilitate a faculty assessment at the begining of either fall or spring semester to determine placement. 
• English Writing Skills Placement Test - Selected students will write an essay during their Orientation program. Students are identified by their advisor during their first meeting at Orientation. The written sample will be used to ensure that students register for the appropriate freshman writing course.

The English Writing Skills Placement Test asks you to choose one of two topics and write a point of view essay for no more than one hour. You will take a position on a current topic of state or national interest.

Whether you agree or disagree with the statement does not matter. You need to state and explain your position clearly. You need to explain why you hold your position, perhaps by drawing on personal experience, or by referring to something you have read. You should use the conventions of standard written English.

The readers recognize that you will be writing a careful first draft; they do not expect perfection. The committee reads to assess these elements:

• Clarity - consistent and cohesive explanation of position, moving through separate and distinct reasons for thinking as you do.
• Fluency - reasons developed through appropriate and sufficient details.
• Conventions - working knowledge of public written English evident in both language selection and mechanics.