Knowledge Builders

what questions should i ask my college advisor

by Dr. Randal Torphy Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Here are some ideas that can help you develop important questions for your advisor:

  • How flexible is this major?
  • What classes are required for this major (Math, foreign language, etc)?
  • What skills will this major help me develop?
  • How many classes should I take every semester?
  • What kind of careers can I pursue with a degree in this major?
  • Do you think I need to get a higher degree? ...
  • Can I change my major? ...

Questions to Ask Your Advisor
  • How flexible is this major?
  • What classes are required for this major (Math, foreign language, etc)?
  • What skills will this major help me develop?
  • How many classes should I take every semester?
  • What kind of careers can I pursue with a degree in this major?

Full Answer

How can I ask a good question?

How do I ask a good question?

  • Search, and research. ...
  • Write a title that summarizes the specific problem. ...
  • Introduce the problem before you post any code. ...
  • Help others reproduce the problem. ...
  • Include all relevant tags. ...
  • Proof-read before posting! ...
  • Post the question and respond to feedback. ...
  • Look for help asking for help. ...

Why you should get to know your academic advisor?

The advantages of personally meeting with an academic advisor include:

  • Help monitor students’ academic progress.
  • Offer students a better connection with the faculty and administrators.
  • Give students the ability to navigate the university policies and procedures better.
  • Assist students in selecting, changing, adding, or canceling classes.

How do I become a college advisor?

How to become an academic advisor

  1. Determine where you want to work. Before you pursue the education needed to become an academic advisor, determine whether you want to be a college academic advisor or a ...
  2. Earn a bachelor's degree. If you want to become an academic advisor, you need at least a bachelor's degree. ...
  3. Gain relevant experience. ...
  4. Get licensed. ...
  5. Earn a master's degree. ...

What to ask academic advisor?

“Can you tell me about this major I’m interested in?” Your advisor should have a working knowledge of every program offered at your school - take advantage of this wealth of expertise and pick their brain about majors you're interested in. “What classes do you think I should take?

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How do you prepare for a college advisor meeting?

Come prepared with questions or topics you want to discuss and be ready to jot down some notes about your conversation. Also, be ready to share information about yourself and your goals. Don't be afraid to ask your academic advisor about themselves and their career path.

What questions should I ask about college?

AcademicsWhat majors are popular?What departments or programs have the best reputations?What's your favorite class?Are your professors good teachers?Do your professors hold office hours, and will they meet with you outside of class?Are most of your classes taught by professors or teaching assistants?More items...

How do you introduce yourself to an academic advisor?

Even if your professor knows who you are, it can never hurt to give a brief introduction. Simply giving your preferred name, year, major, and the course you're enrolled in can provide a great deal of context.

What expectations do you have for your academic advisor?

What Students Can Expect From Their AdvisorsDemonstrate a genuine interest in students' success by helping them develop realistic educational goals.Be accessible and responsive to students' needs.Review and update each student's academic record prior to or during the advising appointment.More items...

What should I ask a college coach?

AthleticsWhat position do you feel that I might play on your team?What type of athlete are you looking for?Do you feel that my skills will fit your coaching style? ( ... How many athletes are being recruited for my position?Where am I on your list of potential recruits for my position?Do freshmen typically play?More items...•

How can I impress a college admissions officer?

How To Impress Admissions OfficersBe Prepared. Research the school beforehand. ... First Impressions Count. If you have an interview with an admissions officer, make their impression of you memorable. ... Take Academic Studies Seriously. ... Demonstrate Problem Solving. ... Highlight Your Uniqueness And Passions.

What do you say to a college advisor?

Questions First-Year College Students Should AskWhat will my class schedule look like? ... How much room do I have to explore? ... What opportunities should I take advantage of? ... What are the "stumble courses" for my major? ... How can I salvage my course grade or my GPA? ... Can I graduate early?More items...

What does a college advisor do?

You can expect advisors to help you along your academic journey and give you critical information and referrals when needed. Academic advisors actively work with students to identify goals and create a plan from the first semester to graduation together.

Why is it important to meet with your academic advisor?

Advisors assist in monitoring academic progress. While advisors help students in selecting, adding, changing, or cancelling classes on their schedule, this process also helps students understand how to navigate the university/major policies and procedures better.

What should an advisor do?

Advisors use their knowledge and expertise to construct personalized financial plans that aim to achieve the financial goals of clients. These plans include not only investments but also savings, budget, insurance, and tax strategies.

What should a graduate advisor do?

Graduate advisers formally approve students' programs of study, advise them on advancement to candidacy for higher degrees, consider their petitions to change majors, to add or drop courses, to apply for readmission, etc.

What is expected of a PhD student?

In addition to gaining expertise in a particular field of study, PhD students are expected to expand the knowledge of that disciplinary field by discovering and pursuing a unique topic of scholarly research, resulting in the PhD dissertation.

What are the most asked questions about college?

Frequently Asked Questions About CollegeAre Christian Colleges Accredited?Are Extracurricular Activities in College Important?Are Hospitality Associate's Degrees Accredited?Are Online Colleges Accredited?Are Private Colleges Always More Expensive?Are there Advantages to Studying for a Master's Degree Online?More items...

What questions do you have about the college process?

College Admissions FAQ: All Your College Application Questions AnsweredWhich colleges should I apply to? ... How many colleges should I apply to? ... Should I apply early? ... Should I fill out the Common Application or the Coalition Application? ... How do colleges evaluate my application? ... What SAT/ACT score do I need?More items...•

What to know before committing to a college?

10 Items You Should Research Before Ever Committing To A CollegeThe looks and size of the campus.The quality of campus life (parties/culture/things to do)The honors and study-abroad programs.Fraternities and sororities.The sports programs.

What to look for when looking for colleges?

Top 10 Factors for Choosing a CollegePerspective. The most important factor when considering a college is how the school made you feel.Internship Opportunities. ... Safety. ... Academic Support and Career Services. ... Campus Life. ... Athletics and Extracurricular Activities. ... Majors and Minors. ... Class Size. ... More items...

What to talk about with your college advisor?

The typical things you should talk about with your college advisor involve academics, majors, and college life. If you are struggling with a course or need to get into a full class are some of the prime examples of what to talk about with your college advisor.

Random Tips With Scheduling

One of my biggest regrets in college is not knowing how to schedule my classes the summer before I started my freshman year. I was confused and didn’t know a single person in the major I was in. I also lived in a dorm that required two classes that had nothing to do with my major. I also had no clue what to talk about with my college advisor.

How Do I Finish My Program in 4 Years?

This results in some classes filling up quickly and preventing you from getting the credits you need. Make sure you work with your advisor to set up a personalized 4-year plan that goes over:

What Courses Can I Take if I'm Interested in Several Majors?

You may or may not have to pick out a major in your first semester of college, but choosing not to settle on a major doesn't mean that this semester will be useless. Speak to your advisor about the majors that appeal to you the most. Your advisor can then provide you with information about classes that fit any of the majors you're interested in. That way, when you do decide how you want to focus your studies, you'll already be on your way!

What Jobs Can I Get with This Degree?

Your advisor is a great resource when it comes to career information. Ask about the possible career options you'll have once you finish your degree. If you find that the opportunities you're looking for aren't available, your advisor can also help you find a different major, or perhaps a minor that will make you more employable. College advisors can also provide you with information regarding internships, on-campus work opportunities or alumni connections.

How Can I Succeed in College?

Your advisor is already familiar with the campus and surrounding area and can provide you with the information you need to make the transition to college life easier. You might be able find clubs or groups that interest you, or even get in touch with student aid organizations. Speaking with your advisor can also allow you to get ahead in any graduate school options you may be considering.

29 Great Questions to Ask Your College Advisor

Some of the links below may be affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

So, what exactly is a college advisor?

An advisor can be a professional staff member or a faculty member. While I prefer to use the term “college advisor”, most institutions will call this role an “academic advisor” or “faculty advisor” depending on their actual role at the institution. Both are correct, but I believe “college advisor” is more accurate.

Questions to Ask Your College Advisor

As I said earlier, you may not know what you don’t know. It’s important to know what questions can help you prevent unnecessary headaches and/or help you further your goals.

Final Thoughts

If this list isn’t enough to convince you of the importance of meeting with your advisor, check out my 6 Important Reasons to Build a Relationship With Your College Advisor.

What Questions Should You Ask Your College Advisor?

As you prepare for your college admissions process, you likely find yourself working with a private college counselor. Or maybe you'll simply meet with your high school college advisor. Either way, your'e likely to have lots of questions and not much time. That's why we've put together this list of the best questions to ask your college advisor.

Here Are Some of the Best Questions to Ask Your College Advisor

You'll first need to obtain a copy of your unofficial transcript. Review your transcript for any errors in reporting. It is important that this document is accurate. If there is anything on your transcript that you do not recognize or have a question about, meet with your high school college advisor right away. Some other questions to consider are:

In Conclusion

The college application process can be intimidating, but there are all kinds of resources out there for you take advantage of! Asking questions is one of the most valuable steps you can take to begin your college readiness process.

Margaret Rothe

As a student affairs professional who has been part of shaping the national college campus live/learn trend, Margaret gas built bridges between staff and faculty, taught First Year Experience to college freshmen and weighed out admissions against enrollment goals. All have given her a unique perspective on what college readiness means.

What does an academic adviser do?

Your academic adviser can provide a wealth of support and information throughout your college journey, but it helps to ask the right questions. Not sure where to start? We spoke with Julianne M. Miranda, Associate Dean of Academic Life at DePauw University, for her take on some of the most common questions that your academic adviser could be helping you with.

What does Miranda say about academic life?

Miranda says: "Go to your adviser and get recommendations for how to communicate with faculty members when you're not doing well in a course. The office of academic life also provides academic coaching, and your school may offer success workshops like learning study skills, time management, etc., so take advantage of those."

What does Miranda say about online students?

Miranda says: "Students should be connected to their academic resource center, a writing center to prepare papers, etc. The library is a hugely overlooked resource as well. Also, the career center and any services related to that, and the university wellness services are important — support doesn't always have to be academically related. Lastly, there are resources dedicated to support online students, such as retention specialists who reach out to make sure they are getting the support they need."

What does it mean to change majors?

Miranda says: "If students come to the realization that they want to change majors, it means their academic career is going to be successful. An academic adviser can work with students to help them develop some self-awareness, and also introduce them to the career advising stage, as well, so they can ask questions about life after the institution."

What to ask before enrolling in online classes?

Miranda says: "Before students enroll in an online course, they need to be asking if they are good candidates for online learning. There are a lot of assessments to help them understand if they will be successful in this very different learning experience. Often, online classes take more time than students anticipate, and the rigor is the same if not stronger, than a campus-based course."

What is a registrar?

The registrar is the voice of truth for what is needed to complete the degree. One of the best things to do is to set out a four-year plan early on, looking at all of the different courses you might want to take, and that are required.". 4.

Do you need to be looking at potential schools for medical school?

Miranda says: "At the undergrad level, we do pre-professional advising. That shouldn't wait if you plan to head to medical school, for example. You'll need to be looking at potential schools' admissions requirements, and looking at test prep. This is where connecting with alumni can be helpful, so students can hear about the experiences of professionals once they're out in the real world."

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29 Great Questions to Ask Your College Advisor

  • Some of the links below may be affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase. College brings a lot of uncertainty along with it, especially if you don’t have a mentor to help guide you. You may not know what questions to ask because you don’t know what you don’t know! Below you will find a …
See more on aminutewithmarnie.com

So, What Exactly Is A College Advisor?

  • An advisor can be a professional staff member or a faculty member. While I prefer to use the term “college advisor”, most institutions will call this role an “academic advisor” or “faculty advisor” depending on their actual role at the institution. Both are correct, but I believe “college advisor” is more accurate. Advisors help with much more than academic advising, and a lot of students do…
See more on aminutewithmarnie.com

Questions to Ask Your College Advisor

  • As I said earlier, you may not know what you don’t know. It’s important to know what questions can help you prevent unnecessary headaches and/or help you further your goals. Here is a small list of questions to ask your college advisor. As I stated above, some (re: financial aid questions) may be better suited for college advisors at smaller school...
See more on aminutewithmarnie.com

Final Thoughts

  • If this list isn’t enough to convince you of the importance of meeting with your advisor, check out my 6 Important Reasons to Build a Relationship With Your College Advisor. Don’t understand why you should ask a particular question? Tell me about it in the comments!
See more on aminutewithmarnie.com

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