Academic Advising

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. 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 advisor's signature.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO TALK WITH AN ADVISER?
During registration periods advisers are ready to assist students with course selection and registration, program changes, and for sophomores, filing a major plan. They will also be available to provide academic advising to students throughout the academic year. 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.

HOW DO STUDENTS CONTACT THEIR ADVISERS?
Some advisers maintain a sign-up sheet on their door for appointments, but you should obtain a copy of your adviser's office hour schedule and ask your adviser about his/her procedures for appointments. Email is also a good way to interact with your advisor, especially with quick questions or to arrange a time to meet.

HOW DOES A STUDENT CHANGE ADVISERS?
If either you or your adviser decides that a different adviser might be more helpful, you should contact the Office of Academic Advising located in Room 215, Weyerhaeuser, and obtain the change of adviser form available there. This form asks for the signature of the new adviser but only the name of the old one.
For more information on academic departments, programs, schedules and services please see www.macalester.edu/academics/