In defining a normal academic load, a distinction must be made between what load students are permitted to elect and what is recommended. The College does not require students to be enrolled full time, although this may be a requirement for financial aid or auto or health insurance. To be considered full-time, an undergraduate must be registered in at least 12 credits in a full term or 6 credits in a half-term. Students may elect up to 18 credits in a full term and 9 credits in a half-term without special approval from an academic advisor. Generally, a program of four or five courses totaling 13 to 17 credits is considered normal, and first-year students are usually advised to elect four courses (14 to 16 credits). Since the considerations for determining academic loads are often complex and personal, the College encourages students to discuss each term's elections with an academic advisor.