Academic Advising
Q: What is the academic advisor's role ?
A: Academic advisors are most often members of the teaching faculty. They help students make decisions about their course choices and sometimes about their major by sharing with them their educational experience, their ideas, and their understanding of the advisees' educational goals. Advisors help students understand the Oberlin College curriculum, as well as the general education and major requirements for graduation. While they may be most knowledgeable about the courses in their own departments, advisors can also help students find information from other sources.
Q: How are advisors assigned in the College of Arts and Sciences?
A: Arts and Sciences students are assigned a general advisor until they formally declare a major. A student's expressed academic area of interest is taken into account, as much as possible, in the initial assignment of a general advisor. Typically, a student will have the same advisor for the first two years of College. When the student declares a major, a member of the major department will become his/her advisor. If a student declares an individual major, one or more faculty members will supervise the student's progress and serve as advisors.
Q: How are advisors assigned in the Conservatory of Music?
A: If a Conservatory student is a performance major, his/her principal private study teacher will be the advisor. If a Conservatory student is majoring in music education, music history, electronic and computer music, composition or jazz studies, a faculty member of that department will serve as the advisor.
A: Double-Degree students have two advisors. One is a member of the Arts and Sciences faculty, initially in or near the field of expressed interest, and ultimately in the major field. The other advisor is a Conservatory faculty member in the appropriate Conservatory major. Double-Degree students are required to get permission from both advisors before registering for courses.
Q: Can my son change his advisor and how?
A: It is easy to change academic advisors. To do so, the student should pick up a change of advisor card from the Office of the Dean of Studies, Peters 205, have it signed by his/her new advisor and then return it to the Office of the Dean of Studies. If a student needs help in selecting a new advisor, he/she should see one of the deans in the Office of the Dean of Studies.
Q: Can my daughter get help with academic issues from sources other than her advisor?
A: Sure. Students who need academic help are encouraged to contact staff in one or more of the following offices on campus: the Office of the Dean of Studies, the Office of the Registrar, the Office of Student Academic Services, and/or the Office of the Assistant Dean of the Conservatory.