You and Your Academic Adviser

WHO ARE ADVISERS?

Academic advisers are faculty members who are ready to help you plan your academic program and think about personal and career goals so that you can make the most of your time at Macalester. Your adviser is knowledgeable about graduation requirements and uses test scores, grades, and discussions with you in order to make informed recommendations about your curricular and co-curricular choices. Moreover, your adviser can help you become aware of all the institutional and community resources that are available for you.

Students begin with advisers who are their instructors in their First Year Course. After students select a major, typically in the second semester of their sophomore year, they usually have an adviser in that department or program. However, even if you have more than one major, you will only have one official adviser at any given time.

MUST STUDENTS DO WHAT ADVISERS RECOMMEND?

Your academic adviser will listen to you and point out choices and sequences of courses for your consideration. However, you accept full responsibility for your course schedule and meeting graduation requirements. An academic adviser helps you consider the choices and sort out the complexities of the catalog and course schedules. An adviser's approval is required to perform certain activities, such as accessing the registration system, and many college forms require the adviser's signature.

HOW AND WHEN SHOULD I CONTACT MY ADVISER?

Professors all maintain regular office hours when you may stop by for advice. During registration periods advisers are ready to assist students with course selection and registration, program changes, and filing a major plan. Two advising weeks, one in each semester, have been designated to correspond with registration periods. However, you should see your adviser often and develop a good working relationship with him or her to set academic goals, discuss your academic progress/grades, plan a major, select internships, discuss study away options, etc.

Each adviser will have his or her own preferred method of being contacted. Be sure to ask your adviser about the method of communication he or she prefers. Many advisers encourage requests for appointments or other simple questions via email. Some advisers maintain a sign-up sheet on their door for appointments with advisees and other students.

HOW DOES A STUDENT CHANGE ADVISERS?

If either you or your adviser decides that a different adviser might be more helpful, you should complete the change of adviser form available from the Academic Programs Office, 215 Weyerhauser Hall or from the link below.

CHANGE OF ADVISOR FORM

Change of Advisor Form (PDF Format)

ACADEMIC EARLY WARNING FORM

Academic Early Warning form (PDF Format)

ADVISING HANDBOOK

Advising Handbook (PDF Format)