College Academic Advising Office | The Collegiate Divisions | Major Programs | Minor Programs

College Academic Advising Office

Every student is assigned to a College adviser, a full-time professional who helps undergraduates pursue their academic interests and guides them as they plan a program of study leading to a degree.

During the first year, College advisers help students select general education courses, balance study and extracurricular activities, and think about possible majors. Returning students can expect their advisers to provide guidance on campus opportunities like internships, scholarships, and ways to get involved with faculty research. Advisers also provide guidance on planning a curriculum, choosing a major, and staying on track to graduate. Beyond academics, advisers support students in achieving personal and professional goals. They often advise students on pursuits outside of the classroom and help students coordinate their academic choices with emerging career goals.

Advisers serve as a primary resource for students. Students should always inform their adviser if they are experiencing particular problems in class, suffering health issues that interfere with their studies, or are encountering other unforeseen events that pose a challenge to their academic success. Advisers work with their students to resolve the issues, collaborating closely with an Advising Dean, and, as necessary, seek additional assistance from administrators or partner offices. Students are encouraged to schedule appointments with their College adviser whenever they have questions about courses and programs of study or College rules and regulations.

Students can view a list of the staff members of the College Academic Advising Office, and the office can be reached by writing to collegeadvising@uchicago.edu.

The Collegiate Divisions

The masters of the Collegiate Divisions (Biological Sciences, Humanities, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences) have curricular and staffing responsibilities for their divisions. The senior advisers of the divisions, assisted by faculty committees, rule on interpretations of the general education requirements in response to questions from advisers or students. Lists of the masters and divisional administrators or administrative assistants for all of the Collegiate Divisions are available at college.uchicago.edu/about/college-staff-directory.

Major Programs

Starting in the Spring Quarter of their first year, students can officially declare a major through the student portal (my.uchicago.edu). Students typically select a major no later than the end of their second year, often sooner. This decision should be discussed with the student's College adviser. After students choose a major, they should have regular contact with the appropriate director of undergraduate studies and other counselors in their department. Among the topics that students discuss with counselors are questions about requirements, study and research opportunities, graduate school and career planning, and departmental events, both social and academic. Some programs of study admit students on the basis of an application procedure. Before officially declaring an intent to pursue such a major, a student must receive consent from the department. Contact information is available at the beginning and end of each program of study description in this catalog.

Minor Programs

Students who elect to pursue a minor program should meet with the appropriate director of undergraduate studies to declare their intention. Before the end of Spring Quarter of their third year, students must submit a Consent to Complete a Minor Program form to their College adviser. Students choose courses to meet the requirements of the minor in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies.