Undergraduate Academic Advising
Academic advising is available to all Political Science students throughout their time with the department. The Undergraduate Academic Advisors for Political Science are Brendan Fraser (last names A-K) and Julia Martorell (last names L-Z). You can schedule an appointment via Handshake or email them directly (fraserb@bu.edu, julimart@bu.edu) with any questions you have about the major, minor, BA/MA progam, Honors program, internships, and on-campus resources.
Registration Advising typically begins four weeks ahead of the first undergraduate registration date. Students are required to meet with their advisor during registration advising in order to receive their advising code. Specific details on registration will be sent to all Political Science majors by their assigned advisor. While the academic advisors are here to assist students through their registration, they wish to empower their students to come prepared to advising appointments with questions and having selected a variety of courses that fulfill their interests and requirements.
Mission of Advising
Academic advising is integral to the teaching mission of the University and engages students in a collaborative process to explore academic and co-curricular opportunities as part of a plan to realize academic, career, and life goals.
The Political Science advisors provide one-on-one academic advising and mentoring to all Political Science majors. All Political Science students must meet with their advisor once a semester to discuss their planned course schedules and to receive an advising code for registration. But an advising meeting is about much more than obtaining a code.
Advisors are here to help students understand the curriculum, identify their academic talents and interests, and make timely progress toward graduation. Advisors can also assist undergraduate majors with related tasks like managing time, selecting courses, and exploring various extra-curricular and career options.
An effective advising relationship, however, is a two-way street. It is the shared responsibility of students and advisors who work in concert to achieve the University’s Advising Learning Goals:
- Articulate the intent of general education, school/college, and program requirements.
- Craft, execute, and continually assess a coherent educational plan, including post graduate options, based on assessment of abilities, aspirations, interests, and values.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the policies and procedures that guide progress to the degree.
- Identify and access campus resources and co-curricular opportunities to help reach educational, career, and life goals.
Identify and access campus resources and co-curricular opportunities to help reach educational, career, and life goals.
Student Responsibilities
Students should be advocates for their own education and actively seek out the information they need for academic success. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your advising relationship.
- Be proactive! Contact your advisor via Handshake to schedule meetings.
- Be Prepared! Come to your advising meeting ready to communicate your passions and goals. Make sure you have read the description of the Political Science major and know the requirements. Moreover, create a plan for what courses you would like to take during the next semester. See the Undergraduate Registration page for more information.
Before your meeting, take time to think about the goals you would like to accomplish during your time at Boston University. Come to your meeting ready to share any thoughts and questions with your advisor.
- Be patient! Advisors know a good deal about Department and University policies, but they have their limits. Your advisor may refer you to another resource or office on campus. Be sure to take notes on these recommendations and report back to him or her about what steps you took and about the answers or advice you received.
- Be communicative! Keep your advisor informed of any changes in your academic progress, schedule, or goals. If you need to, make a follow-up appointment. Chart your own progress toward degree by using this check-off sheet.
Advising is a partnership. Knowing your role in the process is essential for that partnership to be fruitful.