Confusing major standing requirement - should I email the chair?

College Life
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<p>Hi all, </p>

<p>I have a strange question. In my undergraduate catalogue and online, it says that I can only be submitted to major standing in French after having 56 credits, taking 3 300-level classes and after getting permission from the Department Chair. (I’m currently a freshman with 16 credits and only the first-level French class) My academic advisor said to just fill out and turn in the sheet you normally use to add or change a major, even without the 56 credits or the Chair’s permission. </p>

<p>Should I email the chair directly to clarify this? Or should I just try it with the form and potentially embarrass myself? I’ve actually met her impromptu before and talked about studying abroad, and I was told by my professor that the Chair had told her about me and remembered me. (hopefully in a good way!) </p>

<p>Here’s the thing: I’m studying abroad in France next year, (already working on it with one of the professors) and in order to get certain scholarships, it says that I need to be a foreign language major. And after I come back from France I’ll have the 3 300-level classes handled.</p>

<p>If it’s not filled by the time I register, I plan on taking a summer class with this chair, so I don’t want to make a fool of myself in front of her. </p>

<p>What should I do? Thanks. I know I’m a bit paranoid over nothing, but I really want to keep up a good rapport and image with the people in my department.</p>

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<p>If I was in your position, I would email the chair and say something like:</p>

<p>Hi Professor xyz,</p>

<p>I saw on the department website that one needs to meet [these three requirements] to be a declared French major.<br>
As a freshman, I do not meet the credit requirement - however, [and explain the scholarship issue here]. Can I go ahead and become a declared major before I study abroad?</p>

<p>Thank you for your time,
harvestmoon</p>

<p>Her response will allow you to know two things:

  1. Whether or not you can just fill out the form now like your advisor suggests (and not risk embarrassing yourself); and
  2. If you can’t fill out the form now, you may be eligible for an exception.</p>