Your advisor
Every Trinity College first-year student has an academic advisor. Approximately 125 academic advisors each work with 22 to 24 undeclared first-year and sophomore students in Trinity College. Advisors are faculty members, senior administrators, and staff drawn from across the university. They volunteer as advisors because they are committed to helping Trinity students make the most of their Duke experience
What your advisor does
Your academic advisor will assist you with course selection each semester and provide guidance and information on curriculum requirements and academic opportunities at Duke. Your advisor has access to your course schedule and grades and can help you find ways to improve your academic performance if you are struggling with a class or other challenges. Your advisor will also work closely with you to select a major, and will review and approve your long range plan, a document students complete as part of the major declaration process.
Meeting with your advisor
You may see your advisor as often as you like and contact him or her by e-mail and telephone. All students are required to see their advisors during preregistration each semester to review proposed course schedules and to be cleared for enrollment. Students with one failing grade or two Ds at midterm must also consult their advisors in order to get back on track.
Student should meet with their advisors least twice a semester. Your advisor will notify you when it is time to schedule an appointment.
Advising on special interests
Each East Campus residence hall is affiliated with a group of academic advisors. You are assigned one of these advisors during the housing assignment process prior to your arrival at Duke. When possible, we try to pair students with advisors on the basis of shared academic interests. Should you have questions outside the field of your advisor's expertise, he or she will refer you to the appropriate people or resources on campus.
Once you have chosen a major (typically during sophomore year), you will be assigned a new academic advisor, who is a faculty member in your major department or program.
Your parents and your advisor
Parents often have questions or concerns about their student’s academic progress or other subjects related to the college experience. The Academic Advising Center hosts an open house during Parents’ and Family Weekend every fall where the academic deans are available to answer questions and talk to students and their parents. If questions or issues arise at other times of the year, parents are encouraged to contact the appropriate academic dean.