Undergraduate Advisees

Dr. Waite's SUNY Oswego Web Page

http://www.oswego.edu/~waite

Success in Advisement

Disclaimer! I am now retired and "out of the loop" regarding advisement issues. For that reason, I have limited information on this page, keeping only the timeless things that I have told students for decades. Please make sure you check with your advser to get the current policies and procedures!

Personal File. Keep one file folder as your personal file. Of course, the Technology Office has your permanent advisement file too. Everything the college sends you regarding registration, grades, department handbook, transfer credit evaluation, letters, etc. should be in this file. Whenever advisement day comes around (each semester), or when you meet with your adviser, bring it!
Two Main Documents. There are two critical documents that you must keep updated, in your file and in the department file. It is the first thing I have my advisees do on advisement day. They are the "Record of Progress" and the "Long Range Plan".
Record of Progress. This is the one page form where you enter each course after (or as) you are taking it . It assures that you have the correct courses, in each category. It is very complex! Learn the subtle things by asking questions. I used to design this form for the department years ago, and it was a killer to get everything perfect, as the requirements change so often, and they are often in conflict with one another.
The Long Range Plan. This is nothing more than one sheet of paper with eight semesters of courses on it, by semester. The "good student" fills this out during the freshman year, and modifies it mildly as courses are perhaps not available. Of course, changes occur over time, but it offers a master plan of your entire college career. Leave electives until the latest semester; make sure the "fall only" courses are in that semester. FOLLOW THE PATTERN AS BEST YOU CAN !!!
Advisement Day. Arrive prepared, with the following:

A current copy of your "Long Range Plan", printed out with any changes.
Your "Record of Progress" so changes can be made to the permanent file - add grades from last semester
ALL courses for the next semester, with times scheduled by the registration newspaper

Undergraduate Handbook - get one from the department office or web site.

End of page. Updated January 8, 2008