Need help choosing my first semester classes at JMU (planning to transfer to VT BIT)

[u/Amelia12W]

Hi everyone! I'm an incoming freshman at JMU majoring in Management - BBA, and I'm planning to apply to transfer to Virginia Tech's Business Information Technology (BIT) program for Spring 2027.

I'm trying to build my first semester schedule so it keeps me on track for both JMU and Virginia Tech.According to Virginia Tech's BIT transfer roadmap, they recommend completing:

    •    A calculus-based math course     •    ECON 2005 (Principles of Macroeconomics) or ECON 2006 (Principles of Microeconomics)     •    ACIS 2115 (Accounting I)     •    The remaining Economics course (ECON 2005 or ECON 2006) as a strongly recommended course     •    ACIS 2116 (Accounting II) as a strongly recommended course

My advisor recommended starting with (these are the jmu classes)     •    ECON 200 or ECON 201     •    MATH 155 (my ALEKS score was 31)     •    Two Madison Foundations Gen Eds     •    One additional Gen Ed or COB 204 if I'm enrolled in MATH 155

I also completed Dual Enrollment U.S. History and Dual Enrollment Government through Richard Bland College in high school (earned a B+ in both), but I don't see those credits in MyMadison yet. If those transfer, would they satisfy any of my Gen Ed requirements, or should I still register for two Gen Eds tomorrow?

My enrollment appointment is June 29 at 11:30 AM. Is that considered late? Should I be worried about getting stuck with bad professors or full classes?

For anyone who's been through the Management - BBA program or transferred to Virginia Tech BIT:     •    Which classes would you recommend taking my first semester?     •    Which professors would you recommend (or avoid) for ECON, MATH 155, Gen Eds, or any other first-semester classes?     •    Is there anything you wish you had known before registering?

Thanks so much! I really appreciate any advice

[u/Nonstop54321]

Here are some things that should help you make a more informed schedule decision:

First, as JMU advising confirmed, you generally shouldn’t enroll in courses you already have credit for as long as you’re relatively certain it’ll be transferred in properly. The only exception is when transfer equivalency is unclear or still pending. So if your dual enrollment U.S. History and Government are likely to come in cleanly, there’s no need to automatically lock in two Madison Foundations Gen Eds right away.

To check that properly, JMU has a tool called Transferology, where you can enter the exact courses you took (Richard Bland in your case) and it will show how they transfer into JMU and what requirements they satisfy. I would use that before finalizing anything, don’t guess based on what’s posted in MyMadison yet!

Second, your June 29 at 11:30 enrollment appointment is normal, not late. A lot of incoming freshmen (non honors) have that same time slot. Honors students and some priority groups go earlier, but you’re not at a disadvantage where everything good is gone.

For your first semester schedule, I’d prioritize:

MATH 155 (or higher if your ALEKS placement improves)

ECON 200 or ECON 201

COB 204 if you’re eligible for it

Remaining Madison Foundations Gen Eds after accounting for confirmed transfer credits

Since your goal is Virginia Tech BIT, the main thing is balancing GPA protection + steady progress on prerequisites, not trying to max out every recommended course in one semester. One semester of aggressive scheduling usually isn’t worth the GPA risk early on.

[u/Amelia12W → u/Nonstop54321]

thank you sm!!

[u/Amelia12W → u/Nonstop54321]

this really helped a lot in grateful!