All the steps you need to take for academic advising and planning can be found on Compass, the primary guide for incoming students throughout the summer.
Summer Timeline
- Early June: First email from the College to incoming students
- Mid-June: Second email from the College to incoming students with advisor information
- Advance Registration: Mid-June to Early July
You should:
- Have a discussion with your pre-major advisor during the first few weeks of the semester and again during Advance Registration in October and November, to discuss course selection for the upcoming semester. Incoming first-year students will be on registration hold, which keeps them from being able to participate in Advance Registration, until they meet with their advisor.
- Let your pre-major advisor know of any problems you are having that are affecting their academic work.
- Investigate study abroad, research and other academic options.
- Apply to become a peer advisor and help a new student entering Penn.
You should:
- See your pre-major advisor before Advance Registration in March and April to discuss courses for the fall semester. Incoming students are on registration hold for their first semester until they have an advising discussion with their advisor.
- Investigate majors of interest. Start talking to faculty and students in your prospective majors. Attend one or more of the College’s Majors and More Dinners to learn about programs of interest. Attend classes in the major and get the student’s perspective through the Major Advising Program (MAP).
- Investigate study abroad, research and other academic options.
Students should:
- Meet with their pre-major advisor to discuss progress toward finding and declaring a major and meeting the degree requirements during Advance Registration in October and November. This meeting is also an opportunity to explore options such as minors, research and study abroad. Until meeting with their advisor, Sophomores will be on registration hold which keeps them from being able to participate in Advance Registration.
- Become completely familiar with the rules and requirements for their potential major. These are available on the department websites.
- Investigate study abroad, research and other academic options.
- Apply to become a peer advisor and help the next incoming class.
Students should:
- Check in with their pre-major advisor.
- Go directly to the intended major department or program office to declare. Processes for declaration may vary - Check the department and program websites for more information.
- Investigate study abroad, research and other academic options.
- Check with Career Services and the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships for information about internships.
Students should:
- Review their Degree Audit in Path@Penn to ensure appropriate progress is being made toward graduation, including the necessary number of Arts and Sciences and overall credits.
- Meet with an advisor in the College Office during Drop-Ins (Monday - Friday, 12 - 4pm) for answers to academic questions or concerns, especially regarding College requirements.
- Meet with their major advisor to confirm they are making progress in fulfilling major requirements.
- Continue to explore academic options like: study abroad, internships, research and fellowships
- Consider sharing their major knowledge with underclassmen by becoming Major Advising Program (MAP) advisors.
- Apply to become a peer advisor and help the next incoming class.
Students should:
- Review their Degree Audit in Path@Penn to ensure appropriate progress is being made toward graduation, including the necessary number of Arts and Sciences and overall credits.
- Meet with an advisor in the College Office during Drop-Ins (Monday - Friday, 12 - 4pm) for answers to academic questions or concerns, especially regarding College requirements.
- Meet with their major advisor to confirm they are making progress in fulfilling major requirements.
- Continue to explore academic options like: study abroad, internships, research and fellowships
- Consider sharing their major knowledge with underclassmen by becoming Major Advising Program (MAP) advisors.
- Apply to become a peer advisor and help the next incoming class.
Students should:
- Meet with their major advisor to make sure all requirements for the major will be completed and to discuss future plans.
- Review the degree audit in Path@Penn to check their progress toward fulfilling requirements before the end of the Course Selection period.
- Confirm that their intended graduation date and local address are correct on Path@Penn.
- Visit the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (CURF) if considering research or information on post-graduate fellowships and scholarships.
- Consider applying for Senior Awards.
- Check with Career Services for information about graduate study and applying for jobs.
- Consider sharing their major with underclassmen by becoming Major Advising Program (MAP) advisors.
Students should:
- Meet with their major advisor to make sure that they will complete the major and to discuss their plans for the future.
- Make sure to submit their Application for Graduation by the appointed deadline.
- Register for the College Graduation Ceremony.
- Before the end of the Course Selection period, confirm that they have the courses they need to graduate.
- Visit the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (CURF) if considering research or information on post-graduate fellowships and scholarships.
- Consider applying for Senior Awards.
- Check with Career Services for information about graduate study.