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The advising program at Sweet Briar serves to guide each student through the crucial years of building an educational foundation to support her future goals. The priority of faculty advisors is to support students, provide sound guidance, help navigate inevitable challenges and honor successes.
Pre-declaration Advising
Prior to her arrival, each student is matched with a pre-declaration academic advisor on the basis of identified interests. Initial academic advising takes place during orientation. In an initial meeting with her advisor, the student begins to plan her program of study. Over the course of her time at the College, each student creates a network of key individuals who will help her make informed decisions about her academic work, pre-professional experiences and co-curricular activities.
Post-declaration Advising
Each student is expected to identify her major, minor and/or certificate program(s) she may wish to complete in the spring term of her sophomore year. At that time, she will request an advisor in her academic program(s). Working with an expert in the field allows a deeper focus in a discipline or interdisciplinary study. Since these academic advisors remain connected with alumnae who have gone to graduate school or on to a career path, they help current students develop post-graduate goals and real-world contacts. Our faculty also connect students to networks of colleagues throughout the world.
Goals of Advising
Sweet Briar students actively participate in planning their own education. For this reason, the College’s advising program maintains a strong focus on self-assessment and decision-making.
In the process of helping students make their own choices, academic advisors explain College degree and graduation requirements, assist with course selections, monitor advisees’ academic progress and make referrals to campus resources. Advisors encourage students to make informed decisions about their own academic progress. The program provides assistance for students as they develop their educational objectives and integrate their academic and co-curricular experiences.
The responsibility for advising students about graduate programs and career plans is shared among the Dean of the College, members of the faculty and the career services staff.
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