Pre-Major Advisors | University of Pennsylvania

Pre-major Advisors help first- and second-year students navigate their entrance into academic and intellectual life in the College beginning with the issues of incoming freshmen and continuing through the student's exploration of a potential major.

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 choosing 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 Cohen Hall any time during their undergraduate years.

Goals of Pre-Major Advising

The goals of pre-major advising are for students to:

Have the opportunity to develop a relationship with at least one adult representative of the University, with whom they can discuss their intellectual interests and academic goals, and with whose help they can plan a coherent curriculum to accomplish those goals. Students can also contact this advisor for clarification of the University's policies, procedures and degree requirements.
Successfully make the transition from secondary school to college.
Become familiar with the course offerings and other academic opportunities within the College and other schools at Penn and make good use of them.
Be ready to declare a major and know how they wish to structure the rest of their undergraduate program by the second semester of their sophomore year.
Follow up on the initial contacts with support and counseling services made by their advisors and continue to avail themselves of these resources when necessary.
Increase their level of self-awareness and grow intellectually as they explore the curricular and extracurricular offerings at Penn and in Philadelphia.
Learn to take responsibility for their actions (or inactions) and decisions.