Frequently Asked Questions
How do I access EWC SmartPlan?
Log in to MyEWC Self-Service and click on the “EWC Smart Plan.”
Who can access EWC SmartPlan?
Anyone who has been admitted to Eastern Wyoming College and has an active student record can access EWC SmartPlan.
What is the first thing I should do when logging in to my plan?
From your dashboard, select “Open My Plan.” If you have recently updated your major or program, you may see an option to “Build a Declared Plan.” Select this option to make sure your plan reflects your current major or program.
Optimize Your Plan: Your plan will likely show a “Please Optimize” status. Select the “Optimize” button to refresh your plan and make sure it is up to date with any placement test scores, prerequisite overrides, newly completed coursework or other updates on your record.
- Set Target Credits: Set the number of credit hours you plan to take each term (12 or more credit hours is considered full-time status).
- Update Campus Preference: Select “Campuses” below the calendar if you want to only take classes at certain campuses. To include online classes and see the widest availability, leave the campus option unselected.
- Block Time: Block days and times on the calendar view so the planner will only recommend classes that fit your schedule.
After making the updates, select “Optimize” again, and your recommended classes will update per your preferences your plan reflects your current major or program.
Where are the requirements in EWC SmartPlan coming from?
The requirements come from the program sequence of requirements reflected in your catalog degree audit.
What does the blue "Optimize" button mean?
When changes or updates are made to your plan, EWC SmartPlan will need to review them against your current academic records and major or program requirements. To verify your changes are acceptable for completion, click the blue “Optimize” button. EWC SmartPlan will give you a message saying if your plan has been approved, if any changes are required for completion, or recommendations to shorten your time to a degree or reduce costs.
Please note: If you attempt to register with a plan that is not optimized, you will be prompted to optimize it before registering for classes. You can choose “Ignore and Continue Registration” if you do not want to make the recommended changes.
If I make edits in EWC SmartPlan and accidentally change multiple items that I should not have, is there a way to reset my changes back to the original declared plan?
Yes. Scroll to the right to the “Goals” column and select the “Reset to Declared Plan” link. This will allow you to reset the plan back to the original declared plan, and it gives you an option to save the work that you did. You can also select the “Undo” button to undo changes made.
What does the green line on a planner indicate?
This identifies the critical path for you as the student based on your major or plan. The critical path is essentially the longest chain of prerequisites for a specific program. This line could be different for two different students, depending on the coursework they have completed.
Can I register for classes through EWC SmartPlan?
Yes! You can create a plan, customize your schedule and register for classes within EWC SmartPlan. When registration is open, look for the blue “Register” button beneath your class list.
To register, select the “Change” button next to each class you want to register for and select “Mark to Register.” Then, click the blue “Register” button.
How do I search and register for courses in EWC SmartPlan?
When you have selected your major or program, EWC SmartPlan will recommend class sections to register for based on your preferences. If you are not pursuing a degree or would just like to browse the complete schedule, you can search by class, instructor, campus or type of class.
Select “Add a Course.” From here, you can update the filters for things like “Requirement,” “Campus Site” or “Section Type” (i.e., online or on-campus), or type a course name, title or instructor into the search bar.
You will see a list of courses. Click on a course to see the available class sections. The sections you can register for will show as “Available.” Click to view details about the section’s descriptions, dates and times. To add a course to your plan, choose the “Select” button, then “Save Changes.”
What is the difference between "Minimize Changes" and "Minimize Time to Degree" once I click the "Validate Plan" after making changes?
“Minimize Changes” means accepting the parameters set. The plan will adjust based on these parameters.
Example: A student has blocked certain times on their schedule, but these times interfere with the only time a prerequisite the student needs is offered.
“Minimizing Time to Degree” means to ignore the parameters set and just show the least amount of time it will take for the student to graduate.
Does EWC SmartPlan consider course substitutions and waivers posted to my EWC Self-Service audit?
Yes. EWC Self-Service exceptions are displayed on the “Progress” tab within EWC SmartPlan.
What do I do if I receive an error message?
If you receive an error while you’re trying to register, the system should give you a message with steps to resolve your issue. In most cases, it will refer you to the Student Services office. Generally, your best resource is always an academic advisor!
If you receive an error and are not sure how to proceed, chat with technical support within EWC SmartPlan. You can also click the “Help” button to send a feedback response.
What if I’m thinking about changing my major or program?
To perform a “What-If” analysis for a different major or program, click “Change” under the “Goal” tab to see a list of other majors or programs to explore. EWC SmartPlan will recalculate a plan based on that major or program’s requirements. Before building a “What-If” plan, you will be asked if you want to save your current plan. Select “Yes” to make sure you can go back to your declared plan later. You can access saved plans from your dashboard or the “Timeline” button.
Changing your goal in EWC SmartPlan does not officially change your major or program with the College. If you register for classes from a “What-If” plan, you might end up taking classes that are not required for your degree or that financial aid will not cover.
To officially change your major or program, you should first meet with an academic advisor. You can submit a “Change Program” form. Once Eastern Wyoming College changes your major or program, you will need to build a declared plan from your dashboard or use the “Reset to Declared Plan” option in the “Goals” tab. This will make sure you are following your most up-to-date plan in EWC SmartPlan.
Why does my plan show as "What-If" or "Not Declared?"
If you officially change your major or program, EWC SmartPlan will show your old plan by default, grayed out and with an ND or “Not Declared” status. To build a new plan for your updated major or program, select either “Build a Declared Plan” from the dashboard or “Reset to Declared Plan” in the “Goals” tab of your plan.
How do I drop or withdraw from a course within EWC SmartPlan?
From the schedule view, click “Change,” then “Mark to Drop” and “Update Registration.” If you are dropping a class and adding another, you can use “Swap With…” to drop and add in a single step.
The system may try to replace the section you are dropping with another that is still open for registration. It does this to meet your preferences for the number of credits you want to take per term and help you complete on time. However, this may not be what you want — especially if you are withdrawing late in the term.
To override the suggestion to add a new section, select “Ignore and Continue Registration.”
Can all plans be accessed from the dashboard?
Yes, and you can also delete plans that you no longer need from the dashboard.
How do I view or edit previously saved plans?
All changes made by a student or academic advisor are automatically saved to the current plan. A list of previously saved plans will be available on your dashboard or via the “Timeline” button on the plan. Be sure to click “Save” to make sure you can go back to a plan later.
Plans created with an academic advisor will be marked “Official” to indicate the plan was advisor-approved.
Please note: If you go back to a previously saved plan, you will be defaulted to “View Only” mode. Click the “Edit” button to make changes or register with this plan. Now, it will become your current plan.
Can I move courses around in my plan?
Yes, you can move courses around in your plan by dragging and dropping. To verify that your plan is valid, click the blue “Optimize” button. If your changes are not valid, EWC SmartPlan will suggest updates to ensure you meet the prerequisite and degree requirements and can complete on time.
What functionality does the star have on a student's plan?
The stars allow a student or an advisor to pin a preference. If an advisor or student is making changes to other things, when the planner validates, it will keep the stars and try to work around them.
Can I change my instructor or select a different time for a class on my plan?
EWC SmartPlan will recommend sections based on your major or program and the preferences you select. To choose a section with a different instructor or time, select “Change” and then “Change Section For.” You will see a new list of instructors and times. Search for instructors or add filters for campus, class type, etc. You can also allow EWC SmartPlan to recommend new days and times based on your availability on the schedule grid or by adjusting the slider for the number of classes you want to take on campus versus online.
Can I change how many credits I want to take per term?
Yes. Click on the number hyperlink at the top of each term column to adjust the number of credits you want for that term. After making changes, select the “Optimize” button to have Smart Plan update your plan based on your preference.
How can I change the campus I want to take classes at?
In the schedule view, go to the campus list and only select the campuses you want to take classes at. Use the “Deselect All” button to make this easier. Your schedule will adjust accordingly after you “Optimize.” To save this preference for every term, select “Make Default.”
If you want to take online classes, you may want to leave all campuses selected to expand your online options, since you can take online classes offered by any Eastern Wyoming College campus.
If I change a plan, is advisor approval required before registration? Are there any notifications?
No advisor approval is required. There are no automatic notifications, but the dashboard will display when a plan has been changed and by whom.
How can I adjust how many online classes I want to take?
In the schedule view, use the slider to adjust how many on-campus or online classes you want to plan for the term. Your schedule will adjust accordingly after you “Optimize.” Select all campuses for more online class options.
Does EWC Smart Plan prepare me to transfer to a university?
EWC SmartPlan will help you complete your degree or certificate at Eastern Wyoming College. If you are planning to transfer to a university, you should verify the prerequisites for the major you want to pursue with the transfer school. Most STEM field degrees — like biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, math, statistics and business — require prerequisites before you can be accepted to that major, and these can vary by school. After verifying the prerequisites for your intended school and major, connect with an academic advisor at Eastern Wyoming College to update your plan so you can complete and transfer successfully.
If your situation requires elevated attention, please contact your advisor.