Academic Advising
There are few things more important to parents than knowing that their students are being supported and mentored throughout their academic experience. In this brief summary, Professor Tamara Goeglein, associate dean of the faculty in the Office of the Provost, reassures parents that Franklin & Marshall’s academic advising program provides their students every opportunity to benefit from the wisdom and advice of the College’s dynamic faculty:
- Our academic advising system follows best practices as presented by Richard J. Light in his book Making the Most of College. He led a summer symposium for faculty on our campus in 2007 and his work at Harvard continues to inspire our program.
- The student is the key player in his/her education at F&M. Advisers are there to help, support and guide, but students are the leaders in their academic planning.
- Upon arrival at F&M, students are typically assigned to their first-year seminar professor or a professor in a related department. Each adviser is assigned only eight first-year students.
- The original faculty adviser usually stays with a student until a major is selected, typically in the spring semester of his/her sophomore year, at which time a faculty member in the major department becomes the adviser.
- Our College House system and the presence of our College House Prefects provide a systematic reinforcement of our advising program, ensuring that students do not fall through the cracks. Students’ academic advisers work hand-in-hand with their prefects as needed to provide a support network.
- Students must see their advisers once per semester, but the most effective mentoring requires frequent student--adviser meetings. Advisers can brainstorm and guide students in pivotal decisions like choosing a major, fulfilling degree requirements and career planning.
