In the College of Arts and Sciences, advising for students begins before they even arrive on campus. We recognize that the rich array of courses, majors and co-curricular educational opportunities available at Penn can be overwhelming. The advising system is designed to help you learn how to navigate through the many options available at a major research university like Penn and get the most out of your years here.
Upon matriculation, each student in the College is assigned an academic advisor who is a member of either the School of Arts and Sciences faculty or professional staff. This pre-major advisor will work with you throughout your first two years at Penn to assist in planning courses each semester and to help you as you define your intellectual identity and career goals. When you have declared a major in the fourth semester, you will be assigned an advisor from that department or program, but many students also remain in contact with their pre-major advisor with whom a trustworthy relationship has been formed.
In addition to these advisors, you will have various other advisors available to you throughout your time in the College. Peer advisors will provide student perspectives. Professional advisors from offices such as Career Services and the Office of International Programs will lend their special expertise, as will faculty you encounter in your classes. Each will contribute in their own way to your effort to set academic goals and decide what really matters to you.
