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First-year Student Guide

The resources listed below are those that have been identified as being most relevant for first-year students. This is not an exhaustive list. For a complete list of advising resources please consult the Academic Advising page.

Staying on Top of Deadlines, News and Events

To find out what's going on in Arts & Sciences and at the University, consult

Acronyms and Abbreviations

Having trouble keeping up with all the new acronyms and abbreviations? We have provided a list of the most commonly used acronyms and abbreviations to help you out.

Area Requirements for the College

College students are required to fulfill a series of competency and area requirements. It is recommended that these requirements be completed by the end of the second year. As the details about the specific competency and area requirements you must fulfill are somewhat lengthy, they will not be included here, but you can find them on the degree requirements policy page.

Advising

Association Deans

For the purposes of academic advising, every student is placed in an "Association". The Association in which you are placed is determined by your first-year housing assignment. Your Association Dean's primary responsibility is to advise you on academic matters, to help you establish an academic plan, and to refer you to the various agencies and offices the University has established to assist you. Do not hesitate to call on your Dean. Each of the Association Deans has scheduled office hours in Garrett Hall, and the receptionists or the Dean's secretary will be happy to arrange an appointment for you. You will remain with the same dean as long as you are a student in the College.

Students should let their parents know the name and phone number of their Association Dean. The secretaries know how to contact a Dean quickly in the event of an emergency. A “Dean of the Day” is also on duty every Tuesday through Friday afternoon from 12:30-3:30 P.M., and on Mondays from 2:00-3:30 P.M. in Garrett Hall (no appointment is necessary). Associate Dean Gordon M. Stewart is responsible for the administration of rules and procedures.

Faculty Advisors

Every second year student should have a faculty advisor. Check ISIS (296-ISIS/296-4747 or through ISIS Online) to verify who your advisor is. Students typically meet their advisor during Fall Orientation. Although it is hoped that students will remain with the same advisor until they declare a major, this is not always possible. The College will assign a new advisor if circumstances arise which prevent a students current advisor from continuing to perform their duties.

Students who want to change their advisor should select another faculty member who will then notify us by way of a note you deliver or by e-mail (to Judy Mitchell: ) about the change.

Students often ask why they were not assigned an advisor in their area of academic interest. Experience has shown that students benefit greatly from an advisor whose academic interests vary from their own. Additionally, first- and second-year students often have multiple areas of interest, and most first- and second-year students change their academic focus before settling on a major at the end of their second year. The breadth of academic interests students exhibit and the rich diversity of academic disciplines at U.Va. make it impossible to assemble a group of advisors who share specific academic interests with each student.

At the end of the second year, all College students will need to declare a major and will then be assigned an advisor in the major department they choose.

All Faculty Advisors are trained to be general academic advisors, and are prepared to help you or refer you to the appropriate person, whatever your interests. Although your advisor will provide you with valuable help, at U.Va. you are expected to make your own decisions and to accept responsibility for those decisions.

Your Advisor CAN:

  • Give you sound academic advice.
  • Refer you to other academic support services.
  • Serve as a sounding board.
  • Help you choose suitable courses.
  • Help you select a major and clarify your long-range plans.

Your Advisor CANNOT:

  • Serve all your advising needs.
  • Tell you what to do.
  • Tell you what courses and professors to take.
  • Be your only source of advice as you choose a major.

Career Services, Internships and Externships

Don't wait until your last year to find out about Career Services. Visit this office early and discover how an internship or externship can help you. This page also posts weekly updates on events such as job fairs, job search strategies, pre-professional information, etc.

Declaring a Major

You must complete a major in one of the College’s departments, interdepartmental programs, or in an individually designed Interdisciplinary Major. Information about different majors is available from departments and their web sites; specific questions should be addressed to the Director of the Undergraduate Program in which you are interested. You normally declare a major in your fourth semester and no later than your fifth semester. You may begin your major in your first year, provided a department or interdepartmental program in the College accepts you. You must be enrolled in a major or in an interdisciplinary degree program by your fifth semester or you will not be able to register for classes. Courses taken to fulfill area requirements may be counted toward a first major program or toward a second major or a minor. Declaration of Major Forms are available from the rack in the lobby of Garrett Hall.

Scholarships and Fellowships

The mission of this office is threefold:

  1. to promote intellectual community within the College by encouraging academic achievement, research and excellence
  2. to provide resources and support for all students as they explore research and fellowship opportunities and compete effectively for awards; and
  3. to celebrate the success of those who challenge themselves academically.

The goal is provide intensive advising experiences relevant for all four years of your academic career, and to help you to reflect carefully on your curriculum as it progresses. This office is therefor a place for any student to come to discuss scholarship, research, service, and academic excellence. To this end, we offer a variety of programs throughout the academic year. Visit during your first year.

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