Juniors and Seniors

Once students have declared a major, their faculty adviser(s) within their major department becomes their primary academic adviser. Students should meet with their adviser at least once a semester during preregistration advising to discuss their course selection. At a minimum, this check-in will ensure that a student is completing all major requirements in a timely fashion and in a sequence that fits a particular student’s interests and priorities. Beyond that, major advisers can help students think about ways courses outside the major can enhance their major, help them prepare for thesis or other capstone work, or provide balance to courses in the major. 

Although most juniors and seniors are not required to see their deans, many will choose to consult with them. The following are some of the situations in which students may find consultation with their dean useful:

• Significant illness or some other personal situation that may impact their academic focus
• Significant changes to the path to degree (personal or medical leaves, withdrawing from study abroad, early graduation, changing a major)
• Re-adjustment after study abroad
• Academic difficulties, especially outside the major
• Uncertainty about what resources are available/appropriate for a particular situation