On behalf of the Office of Academic Advising, welcome to Agnes Scott! As an accepted student, you may have many questions about academic policies here. Whether you are wondering about degree requirements, selecting courses, choosing a major or what the academic load will be like, this portion of the Web site can help. When you arrive on campus for Orientation Weekend you will meet with your assigned faculty adviser for individualized assistance. In addition, the Office of Academic Advising trains peer advisers who will be available during Orientation Weekend to help in small group settings.
I hope you find this information helpful, and I’m happy to answer additional questions you may have. E-mail me at
jcannady@agnesscott.edu.
—Jennifer Cannady, Assistant Dean of the College and Director of Academic Advising
What is the role of my academic adviser?
Who do you hope to become while at Agnes Scott? What is important to you? What are your strengths and passions? What are your responsibilities to yourself and others? Your academic adviser will prompt you to explore these questions and thus encourage the habits of critical reflection that will enrich your life well beyond your time at Agnes Scott.
Your academic adviser will assist in designing your academic program, providing informed guidance about course selection, academic requirements and special curricular opportunities such as study abroad and internships. Advisers also will provide guidance should you have academic difficulty, helping track your progress toward graduation and referring you to additional sources of support when needed.
What are my responsibilities as an advisee?
While academic advisers assist students in the design of their academic program, you are ultimately responsible for your academic development.
You should familiarize yourself with the college’s academic policies and procedures, degree requirements, academic calendar and important deadlines as outlined in the Agnes Scott College Catalog, the Student Handbook and other official communications. Also you are expected to prepare carefully for meetings with your academic adviser, to draft a plan of study and to take advantage of the many resources available to you as an Agnes Scott student.
The lifelong endeavor of becoming an educated person requires that you challenge yourself, recognize your strengths and weaknesses, identify your passions and clarify your values and beliefs—all in the context of your curricular and extracurricular experiences at the college. Academic advisers are here to assist you in this process.
Who will be my adviser?
Your adviser will be a member of the Agnes Scott faculty assigned to you before your arrival for the fall semester. The college’s liberal arts curriculum is designed to encourage wide exploration during students’ first two years, and all faculty advisers are well qualified to assist you with this process.
Upon declaration of your major (by the end of your sophomore year), you will be assigned a new faculty adviser from the department in which you are majoring. This adviser will use her or his specialized knowledge to guide you through your final two years at the college.
In addition, there are pre-health, pre-engineering, pre-business and pre-law advisers available to assist you.
When will I meet my adviser?
You will meet your adviser during new student Orientation. During Orientation Weekend, each adviser will conduct a meeting with her or his first-year advisees and their parents. This is a chance to get acquainted and to clarify the process of course selection and registration. You then will meet individually with your adviser on the Monday of new student Orientation; this is an opportunity to discuss with your adviser the courses you plan to take during the coming year.
While these initial advising sessions will focus on getting you registered for your first year of classes, you are encouraged to meet with your faculty adviser throughout the year to discuss your academic career at Agnes Scott.
What should I do this summer to prepare for the academic portion of Orientation?
Complete the Enrolled Student Form. This form will help your academic adviser get to know your interests and preferences before you arrive on campus.
You should read carefully the academic program section of the Agnes Scott Catalog, 2007-2009 (pages30-42) which details degree requirements and lists courses that satisfy these requirements.
You should also familiarize yourself with AscAgnes to search for courses by semester, by academic department, level of instruction or time of day. ASCAgnes' information is displayed in "real time" so that the number of available seats will change as students register for fall.
I’m worried about the academic challenge of Agnes Scott courses. Is any support available?
Yes! Many students experience challenges with the transition from high school to college. To assist you in this transition, Agnes Scott contracts with the Baldridge Reading and Study Strategy Program for College Students. This private program covers time management, note-taking, test anxiety, reading more efficiently and other study skills. It takes place in the fall semester and uses your own text books and notes to illustrate the techniques. The program lasts for two weeks of drop-in sessions so it can fit in any student’s course schedule. Additional information about registering for the course and the cost will be mailed to you this summer.
In addition to the Baldridge Reading and Study Strategy Program, students at ASC can use on campus resources such as the Science and Mathematics Resource Centers and the Center for Writing and Speaking. Some departments have course tutors or teaching assistants and a schedule of services is posted by the Office of Academic Advising each semester.
The Office of Academic Advising also conducts a number of free information sessions during community hour (a time during the class day when no academic courses are scheduled). Examples of topics covered are effective note-taking, test-taking tips and time management. One-on-one appointments to work on study skills with a member of the academic advising staff may be scheduled.