Frequently Asked Questions

About Wyoming

 

Frequently Asked Questions


Questions About Admissions

  • Does demonstrated interest play a role in the admission process?
    • The Energy Resource Management and Development program does not have separate Admission requirements. Completing the UW Admissions application and selecting the ERMD major will be the start to the admissions consideration process. You can review the Admissions Requirements for more details. SER does meet with each incoming student to ensure this major is the correct fit for the student.
  • Are there any exceptions to your test-optional policy?
  • Does legacy play a part in admissions and, if so, who is considered legacy?
    • Legacy does not impact the opportunity to be accepted to the University of Wyoming. However, there is a Child of Alumni rate for tuition discount.
  • Do admissions interviews, if offered, play a role in the process?
    • UW does not require admissions interviews but it is strongly encouraged that you schedule a meeting with the School of Energy Resources Academic Coordinator.
  • Are interviews conducted by alumni, students or admissions officers?
    • While UW does not require interviews, we can assist you with setting a meeting to discuss the Energy Resource Management and Development program with our Academic Coordinator.
  • Are there any majors for which enrollment is capped?
    • The Energy Resource Management and Development Bachelor of Science program does not have an enrollment cap at this time.

Questions About Academics

  • Are classes taught by professors or teaching assistants?
    • The Energy Resource Management and Development courses are taught by faculty. However, students will take courses from multiple disciplines and the instructors for those courses may vary. 
  • What is the average class size?
    • The average class size in SER offered courses is 11 students.
  • How/when do incoming freshmen/transfer students receive course selection advising for their first-semester classes?
    • Incoming students can discuss course selection options with the ERMD advisor at any point of the college planning process. Official transcripts must be received for any transfer (dual/concurrent, AP, IB, previous college) credits to be applied to your graduation plan. New students will register at one of the New Student Day events. They can schedule a virtual meeting with the Academic Director or the Academic Coordinator.
  • Who gets priority in the course registration process – is it by grade level, honors programs, etc.?
    • The University of Wyoming does offer priority registration for students based on honors program involvement, athletic participation, veteran status and class standing. There may be other specialized opportunities for additional populations.
  • How many classes do students take a semester?
    • Our program is designed for students to complete 120 credits in 4 years. This means students are encouraged to complete approximately 15-16 credits per semester (with a grade of C or better). To be a full-time student at UW, you must enroll in 12 credits per semester.
  • Are classes more theoretical or hands-on in nature?
    • The ERMD program offers various learning forms to engage students in materials and prepare them for future career and educational plans. Many courses have assignments where students apply the knowledge they have learned in projects.
  • How easy is it to switch majors or schools within the university?
    • Switching your major is a simplistic process and academic advisors can assist students with this request. The ACES Office offers career counseling for students who are interested in exploring their interests further.
  • What is the breakdown of requirements for most majors?
    • All undergraduate majors at the University of Wyoming will complete the University Studies Program (USP). Specific degree requirements are listed in the catalog each academic year.
  • What percentage of students choose to study abroad?
    • From SER that has been less than five percent of students; however that was prior to some new articulations being put in place.

Questions About Academic Support

  • What tutoring services are available?
    • SER sponsors specialized tutoring for students majoring in ERMD. Students can also utilize resources from campus tutoring which offer various options to support academic success. 
  • Are tutoring services free?
    • All UW tutoring services are free for degree seeking students. 
  • How often do students meet with academic advisers?
    • All University of Wyoming students are required to meet once a semester for course academic advising. ERMD majors will have access to meet with their advisor often to discuss course selection, college planning, career goals, internship and job prep.
  • How accessible are professors outside of the classroom?
    • UW faculty host office hours and will share that schedule with students. Students are encouraged to participate in office hours and communicate additional meeting needs.
  • What types of resources are available for students with disabilities?

Questions About Financial Aid

  • What percentage of students receive financial aid?
    • The percentage of incoming students receiving need based financial aid (completes a FAFSA) is:  44.1% *
    • The percentage of incoming students receiving any type of financial aid is:  82.5%*
  • Are merit scholarship estimates built into the school's net price calculator?
  • Merit scholarships are included in our net price calculator as well as federal aid.
  • How much financial need does the college typically meet?
  • For entering students the University meets (on average) 64.5% percent of students who were awarded any need-based aid.*
  • How much extra money should I budget for costs beyond room, board and tuition?
  • While each student will incur personal expenses at varying amounts our budgets include the following yearly estimates: Books $1,200, Transportation $840, Personal $2,200 = $4,240
  • SER has a Textbook scholarship and covers ALL print textbooks students need each semester.
  • Do financial aid packages remain the same over time or are they adjusted to reflect tuition increases?
  • Financial aid packages should remain the same from year to year with the following exceptions: loan limits increase based on credits earned, scholarships which cover tuition and/ or fees will increase as these fees increase, any federal or state grants may increase or decrease each year based on the results from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • External/ outside scholarships are added to student’s financial aid package. If the student’s total financial aid is equal to their cost of attendance (COA) for the year a reduction will need to occur.  The University will reduce loans and work opportunities first.
  • When a student is admitted to the University a letter reflecting their acceptance is mailed to the student. IF a student is awarded a commitment award (merit scholarship) a letter will be mailed about one week after they have been accepted.  If a student completes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) a separate email will be sent to the student informing them of their financial aid package within WyoRecords.
  • Additional websites provide a large database to search for scholarships. Some of these websites are listed below:
    • CAPPEX

 

 

  • COM
    • Updated daily, Scholarships.com has one of the largest scholarship databases. Browse by category, to see its extensive list of opportunities; you'll be required to create a profile.
    • https://www.scholarships.com/

 

 

  • FASTWEB (a Monster.com subsidiary)

 

Questions to Ask a Current Student

  • When you first came to the school, how did you get involved?
  • How did you meet your friends, and what do students do for fun?
  • Do many students attend varsity athletic games?
  • How does the school build community and foster cultural understanding?
  • What are the hot-button issues on campus?
  • What are some of the school's main events or traditions?

Questions About Campus Housing and Community

  • Are students required to live on campus?
    • Students are required to live in the Residence Halls during their first academic year on campus. There are a few exceptions and students that qualify should submit an exemption request. The entire New Student Live-In Policy can be found on the Residence Life & Dining Services website.
  • What percentage of students live on campus?
    • All first-year students are required to live on campus. After that, many students decide to move into our on-campus apartments or off-campus.
  • How do students choose a residence hall and a roommate?
    • Returning Students and Room Selection:
      • Returning students who are not participating in a Living Learning Community (LLC) can self-select their rooms as soon as their application is complete.
    • LLC Participants and Room Selection:
      • In the housing application, there’s a section for student preferences. Here, students can indicate their preferred LLCs (Living Learning Communities).
      • The community they are selected for will determine which hall and floor they can choose their room on.
      • Students selecting an LLC will receive an email in July when it is time for them to select their room.
      • After returning students and LLC participants have made their room selections, students who did not express a preference for an LLC can self-select their rooms.
    • Roommate Requests:
      • There’s a section on the application to request a roommate.
      • When filling out the application, students will need their desired roommate’s W# (student ID).
      • Both students must have completed applications to be placed together.
      • Students who want to be roommates can either be in the same LLC or both choose no preference.
    • All communications regarding placement and room selection will go directly to the student’s UW email address.
  • What do students say about living and dining on campus?
    • “I chose to stay in the halls for the entirety of my time at the University of Wyoming because I found a great sense of community and I wanted to make a difference for incoming students!” – Faith, Class of 2021
    • “The Resident Halls provide a community that is quite unique, there are people from all backgrounds and from all over the world. It is nice to meet new people and build relationships. Each year there are new people with new stories, which I long to hear.” – Adrianne, Class of 2022
    • “The Residence Halls have truly given me so many opportunities to engage with the amazing community at UW. While living at the halls, you know that you have support all around you in all aspects! I have met my closest friends and made the most incredible memories with them in these halls. When else are you going to live down the hall from so many people who also want to make friends? Being so close to campus also makes it so easy to walk to class, especially in the winter, and participate in events that the university puts on. It is such a neat experience that you can't really get living anywhere else!” – Piper, Class of 2022
    • “Living in the residence halls helped me to form confidence, build friendships, and create deeper connections to organizations on campus.” Michaela, Class of 2022
    • “I only lived in the residence halls my freshman year, but I met so many great people and formed relationships that I still value to this day. Also, the dining hall and the many other dining options across campus mean you’ll never go hungry!” – Emily, Class of 2022
  • Do most students choose to live off campus after freshman year?
    • Yes. Most student will either move into our on-campus apartments or off-campus after the first year, but many students choose to stay because of the convenience and community the Residence Halls provide. On-campus apartments are affordable, budget-friendly options compared to other rentals in Laramie and they provide a safe and clean place to live. We have four different apartments: Bison run,  Rivervillage, Spanish Walk, and Landmark.  Our on-campus apartments offer a variety of options, from single rooms to spacious three-bedroom furnished units. Whether you prefer a pet-friendly space or an unfurnished 1 bedroom apartment, we’ve got it!
  • What do the campus and community feel like from a safety perspective?
    • The University of Wyoming campus has its own police department that offers various services to enhance safety. Along with that, all of the Residential Halls are only accessible by its residents by keycards.
  • How would you describe the surrounding community and the relationship the college has with it?
    • The Laramie community is one-of-a-kind with it’s relationship with the campus. You won’t meet a single local that doesn’t root for the Cowboy and Cowgirls, know the Beer Song or never attended a home football game. There is so much UW pride in this town!

Questions About Work and Research Opportunities

  • What types of research opportunities do students have access to outside of the classroom?
    • Students can complete a Research course (ERS 4965) for credit. Research activities comprise an energy related project of limited scope or as part of a laboratory project of greater scope under the advisement of a faculty member.
  • Are internship or co-op opportunities available through the college?
    • Students are encouraged to complete an Internship course (ERS 4970) for credit. A formalized internship is designed by the student to provide students with relevant practical experience in the energy sector allowing synthesis and application of principles in energy science to energy asset management.
    • Internships are also encouraged over the summer with industry partners.
  • What type of career guidance is offered by this school?
    • Your advisor can assist with career advising (in a limited scope), job search resources, mock interviews, resume and cover letter review and much more! Schedule a meeting to learn more.
  • What percentage of undergraduates have had an internship or research experience by the time they graduate?
    • Each year this fluctuates, but more than half of current students are engaged in an internship each summer.
  • Is it common for freshmen and sophomores to get research or internship opportunities?
    • A large part of SER’s mission is to increase our knowledge and research on energy related topics. These opportunities are readily available to students who want more opportunities.

Questions About Student Outcomes

  • What is the four-year graduation rate?
    • Overall at UW, four-year graduate rates are over 30%. With the ERMD major, this average is typically higher. Especially in recent years with a more screened process for choosing this major.
  • What are the requirements to graduate in four years?
    • Specific degree requirements are listed in the catalog each academic year. You could also meet with your advisor to learn more.
  • What is the retention rate from freshman to sophomore year?
    • The average in the life of the ERMD program is more than 70%. Although in recent years that number is above 87%. SER meets with each student before they declare the ERMD degree and this up-front conversation about what this degree will offer students is leading to higher retention rates. We also have additional supports built into our program like the SER study hall. Students success is our driving force at SER Career and Advising Office.
  • Are career advising services available to alumni or only to enrolled students?
    • These services are available for life for an ERMD graduate.