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Working with your academic advisor at PLU is one of the most important things you will do during your first year. We consider the advising relationship so essential that we require that you meet periodically with your adviser. Your adviser will work with you to develop your class schedule, explain general university and core requirements, answer your questions about possible majors and academic interest areas, and support you as you explore course choices and academic direction. Your adviser wants to get to know you, cares about your success, and can serve as a helpful mentor. Let your adviser serve as an academic guide as you make choices and explore your educational goals.
Who will be my advisor?
A variety of factors play into the advising assignment. Since PLU has a faculty-based advising system, most of you will be working with a faculty member as your transitional adviser. (We call your first adviser "transitional" because many first-year students come to college either undecided about their major or they may well change their minds about their intended major.) When you register for classes in June, you'll be asked about your current thinking about your major, how decided you feel about that choice, and whether you'd like an adviser from a particular department or academic area or if you'd like an adviser who can help you decide. The Academic Advising Office then takes your responses and seeks to assign you to the department that most closely matches your interests. For those of you who are still deciding on academic direction, you will be advised by either selected faculty or one of the professional advisers in the Academic Advising. Typically, your transitional adviser will remain your adviser through your first year at PLU.
When will I meet my adviser?
In August you will receive a letter telling you the name and department of your adviser and you will first meet your adviser on the first day of fall orientation. You will then meet again during the first ten days of the semester to be sure that you are settling well into your classes. In addition, you will meet with your adviser in November to discuss class selection for J-term and Spring 2003. You will also be required to meet with your advisor in April for Summer and/or Fall 2003 course registration.
What should I expect from my adviser?
Your advisor will assist you in making good decisions about course selection and choice of major. Your adviser can also offer guidance as you make other academic decisions. College may be the first opportunity for many of you to make significant decisions about educational and life goals. Academic advisors are your allies to offer solid support and effective challenge. You should expect to be contacted by your adviser several times during the school year-especially when it comes time to register for the next term's classes. You can expect your advisor to care about your academic success and to be an effective source of referrals to others on campus who may be able to assist you with a question or concern.
What will my adviser expect of me?
Your adviser will expect you to come to meetings ready to ask questions and share your thinking about your academic interests (even if they are very tentative). Advisers would like you to feel comfortable enough to share how things are going in college. Advisors know a lot about academics, and they can also serve as effective resource persons. Advisors need to know that you will call, e-mail, or set up an appointment if you have something on your mind. It's good to know that you can call your adviser even if your question isn't academic in nature.
What advice do seniors share about working with faculty?
Throughout the years, seniors have told us repeatedly that working with advisors and faculty are both key to academic success. Some tell us that they wish they had sought out faculty advice more than they did. They ask us to encourage you to work closesly with your advisor.
What if I still have questions about advising at PLU?
Please don't hesitate to call the Academic Advising Office at 253-535-8786. We'll be happy to help.
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