Getting Started: Advising

What is Advising?

The goal of advising is to provide undergraduate students information to take best advantage of what courses to take, how to declare a major and general academic questions. Your Association Dean and your Faculty Advisor are key sources of help.

When you enter the University of Virginia College of Arts & Sciences, all students are:

• Placed in an Association, each of which has an Association Dean who advises on academic matters.
• Assigned a faculty advisor with whom you usually remain until you declare a major at the end of your second year.

Association Deans

Association Deans are assigned to each student based on your first-year housing assignment or based on whether you are an Echols Scholar, Student Athlete or transfer student. You will remain with the same Association Dean as long as you are a student in the UVA College of Arts & Sciences.

Your Association Dean can help:

• advise you on academic matters such as getting into classes, faculty advisors, and instructors
• establish your academic plan
• refer you to appropriate University of Virginia agencies and offices for non-academic matters, such as health and other issues.
  

How do I contact my Association Dean?

Association Deans have scheduled office hours in Garrett Hall.

Call the undergraduate office main phone at (434) 924-3351 to schedule a meeting with your Association Dean. The assistants know how to contact a UVA Arts & Sciences Association Dean quickly in the event of an emergency.

Dean of the Day

An Association Dean is on duty Monday and Wednesday through Friday afternoon from 12:30-2:00 P.M. in Garrett Hall. Tuesday hours are from 2:00-3:30. No appointment is necessary.

Faculty Advisors

Faculty advisors are assigned to each UVA A&S undergraduate and help students:

• choose a major
• select courses
• make long-range plans
• find appropriate persons with similar academic interests

Orientation

Entering students typically meet their faculty advisor during UVA Fall Orientation. The College of Arts & Sciences makes every effort to initially match you with an advisor who is in your area of interest (e.g., social sciences, humanities, fine arts, sciences). Check the Student Center in the SIS (Student Information System) to verify the name of your advisor.

College Advising Seminars, or COLA classes

Match yourself with a member of the faculty who is teaching something you want to know more about. Students enrolled in these classes will be assigned to the instructor as an advisor.

Major advisor

At the end of the second year, all College of Arts & Sciences students declare a major and are assigned an advisor from the major department you choose.

Undergraduate Program Director

Each major program in the UVA College Arts & Sciences is overseen by a Director of the Undergraduate Program. If you have questions about program requirements or areas of study, the Program Directors are excellent resources

How to Change Your Faculty Advisor

If you want to change your faculty advisor, you should select another University of Virginia College of Arts & Sciences faculty member who will then notify us by e-mail (to College of Arts & Sciences Office Manager Judy Mitchell: ) about the change. You can also print out the Change of Faculty Advisor Form (.pdf, 145KB) and ask that your new advisor send it to Garrett Hall when completed.

Other Sources of Advising Help

Academic Achievement Program
Details on EDIS 289: Strategies for Academic Achievement, and how to enroll.

Advising Newsletter
Semester updates on advising and departmental changes.

Arts & Sciences Council
Posting of future events, potential research funding and advising announcements.

Arts & Sciences Council Peer Advising 
Easily contactable peer advisors, offering first-year, second-year and department specific expertise.

Asian Student Peer Advising Family Network
Multicultural program that helps incoming Asian/Asian Pacific American students with their transition into college.

Career Counseling
Helpful resources provided by University Career Services. One-on-one career counseling appointments also available.

Center for Undergraduate Excellence
Advises students regarding undergraduate research opportunities and national scholarships and fellowships.

College Advising Seminars (COLA 101)
One-credit courses for new students on assorted topics with an emphasis on the faculty student interaction.

Counseling and Psychological Services
Full-service outpatient clinic offering free crisis management, consultation and psychoeducational outreach services.

Foreign Language Placement
This links to competency requirements. Students with questions about testing, placement, etc., should contact a Foreign Language Coordinator.

Learning Needs and Evaluation Center
Department providing academic accommodations for students with documented or suspected disabilities. Holds skill workshops and offers individual consulting.

Office of African American Affairs Peer Advising
Program assisting African American first-year and transfer students in their transition to U.Va.

Office of the Dean of Students Programs and Services
Administrative support for developing student learning, leadership and interpersonal growth. Offers aid for students with children, student leaders and racial and sexual minorities at UVA.

Resident Staff Program 
What Senior Residents and Resident Advisors do, how they can help you, and contact information for student housing administrators.

Scholarships
A list of College and Dean’s Scholarships and Small Research and Travel Grants.

Strategies for Academic Achievement (EDIS 289)
A three-credit course for any student concerned about their study or time-management skills for college work.

Transfer Student Peer Advisor Program
Are you a new transfer student? This program fosters a strong network of transfer students who can rely upon one another for support, friendship and guidance.

Transfer Student Newsletter
Bulletin updated every month to notify transfer students of important information, deadlines and changes.

Tutoring Resources:

• Economics
• French
• Math Tutoring Center
• Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese
• Writing Center

Undergraduate Research Network
Group that promotes undergraduate research. Informs students about research projects and opportunities. Also provides workshops, symposiums and panels on diverse subjects.

University Current Students
Comprehensive information on all aspects of U.Va. student life. Customizable portal page with many links to calendars, events, resources and more.

Women's Center Counseling Services
Division that offers individual (men and women’s), couples and group counseling. All services are free and confidential.