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After all is said and done, the actual decisions are made by the student and no one else. Advisors are not guidance counselors who can prescribe the best curriculum for a student. It is the student's responsibility to decide what he or she wants out of a college education and then to pursue that goal.
Pre-Major Advising
Each student is assigned a pre-major advisor who is a member of either the School of Arts and Sciences faculty or the professional staff. This advisor will work with the student throughout his or her first two years at Penn to assist in planning courses each semester and in planning the overall program.
The relationship between the student and the pre-major advisor culminates in the declaration of the major. After major declaration, the student will have a major advisor for the third and fourth years of his or her college career.
Students are encouraged to develop a good working relationship with the pre-major advisor and to seek this person's counsel as often as necessary, not limiting themselves to the required registration meeting.
The Pre-Major Advisor:
- • Meets with incoming freshmen before advance registration to discuss and finalize courses.
- • Meets with freshmen and sophomores to discuss course selection before each registration period.
- • Provides guidance concerning the selection of a major.
- • Challenges students to be adventuresome and take advantage of the richness that is Penn.
- • Assists in identifying resources and support services that will help students to succeed academically.
The pre-major advisor usually works with a student for the first two years. In addition to their pre-major advisor, students can and should discuss courses and majors with other students (see the Major Advising Program), and faculty, especially the undergraduate chairs of the departments and programs that interest them. In addition, all College students are welcome to speak with an assistant dean in 120 Logan Hall any time during their undergraduate years.