Understanding your advising team

Before you are admitted to your major, you will work primarily with a college academic advisor based in the CSE Student Services office in Lind Hall. The advisor will help you navigate the transition to college, explore majors, plan your courses, understand university and college policies, and get connected to resources and opportunities that support your success.

Upon admission to your major, your advising support will expand to include both college-wide and major-specific guidance. The exact configuration of advisors varies by department:

• In some majors, you will continue working with your college academic advisor and gain a faculty mentor. This mentor provides guidance on major requirements, technical electives, and career planning.
• In others, you will transition to a new departmental college advisor, who is based in your major department. This advisor supports both your overall academic experience and your progress toward the major.

Your college advisor (based in CSE Student Services) is your primary advising contact before you're admitted to your major, especially in your first and second years. They can help you:

• Navigate the transition to college
• Explore majors and choose courses
• Understand your APAS (degree progress report)
• Navigate university policies and procedures
• Connect with campus resources like tutoring, career services, and mental health support
• Build academic skills like time management and study strategies

They also remain a helpful resource after you're admitted to your major, particularly for questions about:

• Liberal education requirements
• University or college policies
• Petitions, forms, and academic standing
• Referrals to college and campus resources

In some majors, you will transition to a departmental college advisor once you are admitted to your major. This professional advisor is based in your department and serves as your primary advising contact, combining the responsibilities of a college advisor with major-specific advising.

They can support you with:

• Major-specific academic planning and course selection
• Understanding technical electives and sub-plans
• Navigating department-specific policies and processes
• Graduation planning and degree completion

You can also work with your departmental college advisor on college and University policies, petitions, and questions about campus resources.

Once students declare their major, they also receive support from faculty and departmental staff. Faculty mentors may include the director of undergraduate studies for the major or an assigned faculty advisor. They can help students:

• Explore research, internships, and graduate school
• Choose technical electives aligned with their goals
• Submit major-specific petitions or requests
• Get involved in student groups or department activities
• Learn about career paths in their field

Some students also work with advisors who support specific programs or populations, such as students in the University Honors Program or NCAA student-athletes. These advisors can help with:

• Program-specific requirements and expectations
• Course planning and scheduling considerations
• Navigating policies tied to your program
• Balancing academic and co-curricular commitments
• Connecting with resources and opportunities within your program

Some students choose to connect with additional campus resources that may complement their advising support in CSE, based on specific interests or needs.

Support for students considering law school through the University’s Pre-Law Services.

Guidance for students exploring health professions and preparing for admission to professional programs through the Pre-Health Student Resource Center.

The Center for Academic Planning and Exploration (CAPE) supports students exploring majors and career paths across all University of Minnesota colleges.

International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) offers academic counseling for students navigating a new country, culture, and education system.

Your CSE advisor can help you determine whether any of these resources may be useful and how they fit into your overall academic planning.