How To Prepare For Your Academic Advising Meeting

Before Meeting with your Academic Advisor

1. Do your Homework

• Look at your DegreeWorks audit (located in the Advising Gateway) in advance of meeting with your academic advisor. DegreeWorks breaks down all of your core and major requirements. It also contains your cumulative and major GPAs as well as other helpful information.
  • Exploring a different major or a possible double major? Use generate a “What If” degree audit to see what requirements would be necessary to complete a new or second major.

• Review your academic planning form in your Class-specific Academic Guidebook. These planning forms break down all of your degree requirements in a semester-by-semester format.

• Check to see if you have a registration hold. Students can also view holds by using the MyPC app or by viewing their Academic Gateway.
  • Also, students should plan to meet with their advisor to plan their courses, even if they are working to resolve a registration hold.

2. Have a plan

• Know your requirements. After using your DegreeWorks degree audit and academic planning information, write down the major courses required for the upcoming semester.
• Review options. For core curriculum requirements, minor courses, and/or electives, make sure to have multiple options that work.
• Use your resources- CyberFriar, academic guidebooks, academic catalog, etc. The more prepared you are for your advising meeting, the easier it will be for you to create an academic plan.

3. Come to your advising appointment with questions.

• Plan on studying abroad, considering a minor, questions about internships? Have a list of questions prepared when you meet with your advisor.

During/After Meeting with your Academic Advisor

1. Take notes.

• Write down any recommendations, suggestions, and/or any other helpful insight from your advisor.

2. Be flexible.

• Have backups and alternative plans. The more prepared you are for registration, the smoother the process.

3. Know your registration date/time.

• Mark your calendar and set a reminder. Be aware of any major-specific registration dates. Your advisor, academic department, and/or school will share this information with you.

4. Double-check course availability.

• After you build your schedule, make sure to review your course selection in advance of your registration day/time to ensure your options are still available.

5. Check for any Registration Holds

• Use the Advising Gateway to review your Registration holds. If you have a hold on your account, please make it a priority to address the hold well in advance of your registration dates.

6. Save your ALT Pin (the four-digit code needed on your registration day.)

• Take a photo, write it in your planner, etc. You need your ALT Pin to register for classes.

7. Monitor Course Availability

• Students are able to make course adjustments after their initial registration time. It is recommended that students monitor course availability in CyberFriar if they are looking to make any adjustments after their initial registration.