Department and Other Campus Advisers
New Support Resource
Academic Support and Learning Advancement supports Northwestern undergraduates in achieving their full academic potential.
The generalist role of the Weinberg College Advisers is complemented by department and program advising, as well as many other advisers on campus.
These advisers and their roles are described below.
Department and program advisers
- Advising for first-year students: Some Department and program advisers focus on working with freshmen. To identify the key person in a department or program, check the “First-Year Focus” page on the department or program website. These special websites provide answers to many questions common among first-year students. “First-Year Focus” webpages are also a good starting point for other students thinking of taking classes, majoring or minoring in that field.
- Advising for majors and minors: When you declare a major or minor in Weinberg College, you will learn more about the undergraduate advising system in that area. In some cases, the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) handles all advising; sometimes other faculty members serve as advisers too. Some departments and programs assign each student to a specific adviser, and in others, students see whichever adviser’s schedule best fits their own.
Department and Program Advisers can help you understand what it means to major or minor in a field, pick classes that fulfill requirements, and check on your progress. They can help you tailor your work in your major or minor to your interests. Along with your Weinberg College Adviser, they can help you think about how you might combine your major or minor with other things you hope to do as an undergraduate—study abroad, do an internship, get involved in research, and so on. They can also help you plan for longer-term goals. A year before you expect to graduate, you must see an adviser in each major or minor you hope to complete in order to work on your Graduation Petition.
You should seek out other faculty members—not only those who officially serve as advisers. Go to office hours to learn more about comments a professor made in class. Talk with someone whose research you'd like to get involved in. Relationships you form with faculty members will enrich your undergraduate experience. They will provide you with good people to give you guidance, people who will stimulate your thinking—and people who can write you letters of recommendation as you look forward to the next stage of your life.
Other campus advisers
Advisers in other Northwestern colleges
Sometimes students in Weinberg College can benefit from meeting with an adviser in another school within Northwestern. If you want to learn more about programs of study in another school, or if you’re seriously considering an interschool transfer, seeing an adviser in the relevant school is an important step.
- School of Education and Social Policy (required for Weinberg students interested in teaching certification)
- McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science
- Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications
- School of Music
- School of Communication
Other advising resources
The following are among the many offices on campus that provide academic, career, and/or personal guidance for students. All have websites where you can read more about the services they offer.
- Health Professions Advising, 847-467-3900, is the main resource for advising related to the health professions (e.g., medicine, dentistry, and physical therapy).
- Northwestern Career Advancement, 847-491-3700, offers a range of services and programs related to career exploration and planning. The office provides resources and guidance for obtaining summer internships and post-graduation employment, as well as advice about continuing your education through graduate or professional study.
- Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), 847-491-2151, provides personal counseling and general guidance to students. CAPS also offers student workshops designed to address such common issues as stress management, perfectionism, intimate relationships, communicating with confidence, and getting a good night’s sleep.
- The Study Abroad Office, 847-467-6400, is the centralized resource for information about the many opportunities for overseas study by Northwestern students.
- The Writing Place, 847-467-2792, provides peer tutors who offer feedback and guidance to help students improve their writing.
Some advising resources are most appropriate for certain groups of students. These include the following:
- Academic Services for Athletes, 847-491-7890.
- AccessibleNU, 847-467-5530. Serves, supports, and empowers Northwestern students with disabilities by ensuring equal access to fully participate in academic programming and all other facets of University life.
- Financial Aid, 847-491-7400.
- International Office, 847-491-5613.
- Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA), 847-467-6200. Enriches the cultural experience of Northwestern through leadership and education programming; providing opportunities for community engagement and identity expression; and assisting students in navigating the University. Includes The Black House; The Multicultural Center; and The Gender and Sexuality Resource Center.
- Office of Fellowships, 847-491-2617.
- Religious and Spiritual Life, 847-491-7256.
- Academic Support and Learning Advancement, 847-491-3929, maintains a portal of undergraduate academic tutoring and support resources.
- Student Assistance and Support Services (SASS), 847-491-8430 Coordinates referrals and services for students to campus and community resources to promote well-being; removes obstacles by creating a well-coordinated network of services that allow students to close the gap on any potential barriers to academic, co-curricular and social well-being.
- Student Enrichment Services (SES), 847-491-5592. Works with low-income and/or first-generation students to enhance their academic success, personal development, and professional growth.
- The Women's Center, 847-491-7360