Advising

College students need to choose courses, declare a major and define career goals. They will need to examine their performance in different courses, identify their skills and those they wish to develop, and decide what really matters to them. Much of this assessment they will do themselves, but faculty members, academic advisors, career counselors and peers can help.

Students in the College have a strong network of academic advisors available to assist them throughout their undergraduate careers.

  • 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.
  • Peer advisors work with the pre-major advisor and are one of the first points of contact for incoming College students. They provide the perspective of an upperclass student in the College and assist first-year students in making the transition from high school to Penn by sharing their strategies for academic success and knowledge of campus resources.
  • After declaring a major, students are assigned an academic advisor affiliated with the major department or program.
  • All students are welcome and encouraged to speak with assistant deans for advising in the College Office. These advisors can help students explore the many options and opportunities available to College students, and are available by appointment or on a walk-in basis throughout the year.

For more information, visit the College website.