Advising 101

Advising Overview

Do I Need Academic Advising?

Advising Requirements

While Academic Advising is beneficial and we recommend meeting with your advisor regularly, not all SU Undergraduate students are required to meet with their advisor every quarter. Advisors will typically reach out before Advising Period with instructions on how to make an appointment if required.

The following students are required to meet with their academic advisor:

• All First-Year students (required to meet for your first 3 terms)
• New Transfer students (required to meet for your first 3 terms)
• Students on Probation (required to meet every quarter on probation status)
• Undeclared students in Winter Quarter of their 2nd year (Required Major Options workshop)
• Undeclared students with 90+ credits (required to meet every term until declaring a major)

Advising Expectations

Seattle University students are expected to:

• Fully understand and track progress toward graduation and program requirements
• Follow academic policies, procedures, and deadlines
• Discern their educational goals and make an educational plan
• Use advising sessions effectively by making appointments, arriving on time, and asking specific questions
• Use SU systems such as mySeattleU effectively as information resources
• Check SU email at least once per week

What to Expect in an Advising Appointment

Your advisor can assist with many things. While professional advisors can often help you connect to campus opportunities and faculty advisors can serves as advisors within your discipline, both can assist you with:

Choosing Classes & Educational Planning

• Advisors assist you in creating your education plan and meeting requirements. They can provide info about additional majors, minors, internships, study abroad, etc.

Graduation Requirements

• The Program Evaluation is a powerful tool for selecting courses toward graduation. Advisors can help you review your program evaluation and counsel you on your academic plans, course and major selection, and discuss academic opportunities available.

Majors and Minors

• If you are considering adding a major/minor or changing your current academic program, advisors can help you explore the requirements of various majors and minors. 

Registration

• Advisors can help you address registration issues and restrictions, and can help you get into closed Core classes. Advisors can also help you explore course options, make changes to your schedule, and review holds.

Academic Challenges

• Advisors can help you evaluate your academic performance and discover the skills and resources necessary to achieve your educational goals. Advisors can connect you with academic and specialized campus services and will support you if you are on academic probation.

 

Other Things Academic Advisors Can Assist With

Social Connections & Co-curricular Activities

• Feeling like you belong on campus is an important part of being a Redhawk. Advisors may refer you to Pre-Law, Pre-Education, and Pre-Health, policies and procedures, or other ways to connect socially on campus.

Study Abroad Course Selection

• Once you have chosen and been accepted to a study abroad program, advisors can review your potential course selections and help you complete your Education Abroad Course Approval Form.

Pre-Professional Advising

• If you are in a pre-professional program, advisors can also assist you in planning, preparing for, and applying to graduate or professional schools.  

Policies and Petitions

• Advisors can explain university  and assist you in completing various petitions and forms.

Advisors care about you as a whole person, not just as a student, and may also recommend that you meet with other support staff on campus. Some common referrals include Career Advising, Learning Assistance Programs, Counseling & Psychological Services, Disability Services, Student Financial Services, etc.

Preparing for Your Academic Advising Appointment

Review this checklist to ensure you are prepared for your advising appointment:

Review Program Evaluation

• View on mySeattleU Student Planning under Student Planning

Identify your Academic Advisor(s)

• View on Program Evaluation

Schedule an Advising Appointment

• Varies by advisor - Many use a personalized Bookings link found on the advising center website

Check Registration Time & Mark on Calendar

• View on mySeattleU Student Planning under "Plan and Schedule"

Check & Resolve Holds

• A notification will appear on mySeattleU Student Planning if you have any outstanding holds. Information will appear on who to contact to resolve the hold

Review Class Options and Add to Plan

• Using your Program Evaluation, add planned courses to the upcoming term in mySeattleU Student Planning - be sure to include several backup options in case preferred classes fill up.

Draft or Update Educational Plan

• Use mySeattleU Student Planning and Planning Resources for Degrees - make sure you update your plan each quarter

Prepare Questions

• Write down questions to ask your advisor in your appointment. Be sure to share if you are experiencing any challenges at SU so that they can refer you to campus resources.

Complete Any Required Assignments

• Some departments, such as Academic Pathways, will have quarterly required assignments you need to complete prior to your advising appointment. Students on Probation may need to complete certain requirements as well. If unsure about requirements, check with your advisor.

 

I Attended My Advising Appointment. Now What?

Academic advisors will typically send advising notes summarizing important information from the appointment. Many advisors utilize Redhawk SOAR for advising notes, which will send you an email notification. In addition to reviewing advising appointment notes, be sure to consider the following:

• Review your educational plan and make any necessary updates
• Complete any follow-up items
• Planning Resources for Degrees