Academic advisors help you learn to set educational goals, use resources to discover academic opportunities, and connect those opportunities to your goals. Through academic advising, you will think about the purposes, processes, and results of your education. All Penn State students are assigned an advisor within their chosen academic college. Students who are undecided about their academic college and/or major consult with the Division of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) for advising needs.
You will have your first advising appointment at New Student Orientation (NSO), or if you are a transfer student, at Transfer Student Orientation (TSO). Students are encouraged to utilize an advisor throughout their academic career. While self-advising is not recommended, students are ultimately responsible for their academic actions and decisions. Students, if you are uncertain about who your advisor is, please consult this list of our campus' advisors by degree program or log in to Starfish to view your support network! You can also visit your student center in LionPATH to view your advisor's contact information.
Advising Appointments
Academic advisors serve as your academic guide. Keep the following in mind as you prepare for your next advising appointment.
Success and Recovery Planning
Academic Advisors assist students with academic recovery planning. Each semester students who are not in good standing are to attend a Success Tok Workshop, participate in a Recovery Canvas Course and meet one-on-one with an academic advisor.
The Advisor’s Role:
- to understand University procedures and the academic concerns of students.
- to understand the expected standards of achievement and the student’s likelihood of success.
- to discuss suitable career objectives as demonstrated by student abilities and interests.
- to plan a course of study and advise about courses, adjustments, prerequisites, etc.
- to refer students to other resources when appropriate.
- to keep informed and current regarding the specific college and department.
The Advisee’s Role:
- to acquire information for course scheduling, program planning, and graduation requirements.
- to seek academic and career information needed to meet educational goals.
- to become knowledgeable about University and college policies, procedures, rules, etc.
- to be prepared with accurate and relevant materials when meeting with the advisor.
- to consult with the advisor at least once a semester.