First Year Programs

Frequently Asked Questions

General Studies 199 is a course facilitated by an experienced undergraduate student, and designed to help you adjust to life on campus both socially and academically. Every FIG contains a section of this course. Students enrolled will be completing a variety of activities and experiences. Visit our page on GEN ST 199 for more information.

Visit our FIGs search page. Please keep in mind that FIGs fill and open throughout the summer. We recommend that you sign up for Notify UW for a FIG that you are interested in if a FIG is full. Notify UW is a web service that will send you a notification if space in a class you're subscribed for opens up.

Yes! A FIG is a package deal. However, some FIGs are standalone classes. 

FIGs are great because they combine courses that show you different perspectives of a common field of study.

For example imagine if a FIG has CSE and GWSS. We have a shortage of women in the stem field, how can taking this class coupled with computer science broaden your understanding of that subject?

Or a FIG with CHEM 142 (many pre-med majors) linked with a sociology course on health disparities or with one of the public health courses – allows you to take a look at different aspects of the medical field. You gain exposure to a subject from varying disciplines and areas of knowledge. 

It's very easy to add or drop a FIG from your schedule through MyPlan, the UW's course registration site. You will learn how to add and drop during Advising & Orientation. Learn more about joining or dropping a FIG here. 

Feel free to continue checking the website, but know that it's a good idea to register for a backup schedule since there is no guarantee that the FIG you want will open up. Also, there are a lot of FIGs with similar classes, so make sure you look through all of the FIGs with themes or classes that interest you. There are no waiting lists for FIGs.

Other tips for getting into closed courses can be found here. 

No. FIGs are only offered for autumn quarter, so don't miss out! Take advantage of this opportunity!

Many students with Running Start and/or AP credit take FIGs. You should be careful, of course, to not enroll in any classes that you already have credit for. If you’re not sure, you can always consult with an adviser about any concerns about the courses you're registering for.

Your FIG Leader will contact you through email the week before the fall quarter begins. However, if you need to contact your FIG Leader directly, please email figs@uw.edu. 

Actually, the University "hour" is 50 minutes, and you have 10 minutes to get to the next class if you're taking courses one right after another. Some classes meet for longer than 50 minutes, though - especially labs. And some classes meet for two long sessions each week instead of five hour-long sessions.

You can locate the distance between your classes by calculating the walking time on google maps. Just enter the building name, and "UW" and the building will appear.  

If you have a walking time longer than 10 minutes, communicate (email or canvas) with your professor before the quarter begins. Express to them that you might be a few minutes late to class due to the walk time.  

Yes, General Studies 199 counts towards your graduation requirements and the number of credits you may need for financial aid. For questions regarding satisfactory progress and receiving aid, learn more on the Undergraduate SAP Policy website. 

I have a question that isn't answered here. What should I do?

You should talk with an adviser or peer adviser if you're at Summer Advising & Orientation. You may also contact the FIG program directly at figs@uw.edu.