All undergraduate students at Loyola University Chicago are assigned an academic advisor. Shortly after the start of their first semester, first-year students will be assigned to an academic advisor in the Office of First and Second Year Advising (FSYA), where they will advised for their first two years at Loyola. First and Second Year Advisors will participate in students’ first-year seminar courses either as the instructor, or as a guest who will assist with questions about registration and academic planning. Students are encouraged to keep in regular contact with their advisor via email and by attending 1:1 appointments. FSYA advisors advise all majors. This means that even if a student was to change his/her major during their first two years, they won’t need to change their advisor.
Many majors and minors will also assign students with a faculty advisor who teaches in the program in which the student is declared. A faculty advisor is in addition to a student’s FSYA advisor, who can provide more in-depth, curriculum-based advising such as information on course selection, as well as research and internship opportunities related to their area of study.
The summer prior to a student entering their third year, students are reassigned to an academic advisor in the College or School in which their major is housed, and they will remain their advisor until graduation.
Often, students and families equate the role of an academic advisor with that of a guidance counselor, and while that is understandable, there are some differences. The advisor-student relationship is a partnership, where the student is encouraged to take increasing agency as they progress through their undergraduate experience.
The Advising Relationship—Student & Advisor Expectations
What We Expect of Students
- Take primary and increasing responsibility for your educational plans and achievements.
- Keep current on your academic progress in classes; know your test and assignment dates and implement effective study strategies.
- Be involved in the advising process by assuming responsibility for degree planning and coming to appointments prepared to discuss goals and educational plans; bring necessary materials.
- Plan ahead when scheduling appointments, which may need to be scheduled up to 2-3 weeks in advance based on the academic calendar.
- Attend academic advising appointments as scheduled; if you are running late or need to cancel, please notify your advisor via email.
- Be open and willing to consider recommendations from faculty, advisors, and other mentors, and be open to asking questions if you do not understand an issue or have a specific concern.
- Display respect for your academic advisor and your peers.
What Students Can Expect From Us
- Help you plan your course of study at Loyola, choose a major, create an academic plan, and decide which courses to take.
- Explain university policies and procedures and other important academic information.
- Guide you in identifying and pursuing resources throughout campus, and provide you with information about academic success strategies.
- Empower you in gaining decision making skills and in assuming responsibility for your educational plans and achievements.
- Create an environment where mutual respect and trust allows you to define and develop realistic academic goals.
- Maintain confidentiality pursuant to FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act).
- Respond to your email inquiries within two business days (this timeline may be extended during high traffic times such as registration week).
All undergraduate students at Loyola University Chicago are assigned an academic advisor. Shortly after the start of their first semester, first-year students will be assigned to an academic advisor in the Office of First and Second Year Advising (FSYA), where they will advised for their first two years at Loyola. First and Second Year Advisors will participate in students’ first-year seminar courses either as the instructor, or as a guest who will assist with questions about registration and academic planning. Students are encouraged to keep in regular contact with their advisor via email and by attending 1:1 appointments. FSYA advisors advise all majors. This means that even if a student was to change his/her major during their first two years, they won’t need to change their advisor.
Many majors and minors will also assign students with a faculty advisor who teaches in the program in which the student is declared. A faculty advisor is in addition to a student’s FSYA advisor, who can provide more in-depth, curriculum-based advising such as information on course selection, as well as research and internship opportunities related to their area of study.
The summer prior to a student entering their third year, students are reassigned to an academic advisor in the College or School in which their major is housed, and they will remain their advisor until graduation.
Often, students and families equate the role of an academic advisor with that of a guidance counselor, and while that is understandable, there are some differences. The advisor-student relationship is a partnership, where the student is encouraged to take increasing agency as they progress through their undergraduate experience.
The Advising Relationship—Student & Advisor Expectations
What We Expect of Students
- Take primary and increasing responsibility for your educational plans and achievements.
- Keep current on your academic progress in classes; know your test and assignment dates and implement effective study strategies.
- Be involved in the advising process by assuming responsibility for degree planning and coming to appointments prepared to discuss goals and educational plans; bring necessary materials.
- Plan ahead when scheduling appointments, which may need to be scheduled up to 2-3 weeks in advance based on the academic calendar.
- Attend academic advising appointments as scheduled; if you are running late or need to cancel, please notify your advisor via email.
- Be open and willing to consider recommendations from faculty, advisors, and other mentors, and be open to asking questions if you do not understand an issue or have a specific concern.
- Display respect for your academic advisor and your peers.
What Students Can Expect From Us
- Help you plan your course of study at Loyola, choose a major, create an academic plan, and decide which courses to take.
- Explain university policies and procedures and other important academic information.
- Guide you in identifying and pursuing resources throughout campus, and provide you with information about academic success strategies.
- Empower you in gaining decision making skills and in assuming responsibility for your educational plans and achievements.
- Create an environment where mutual respect and trust allows you to define and develop realistic academic goals.
- Maintain confidentiality pursuant to FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act).
- Respond to your email inquiries within two business days (this timeline may be extended during high traffic times such as registration week).
