Building Your Advising Team

From Amie Grills, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Affairs, and Katie Steele, Assistant Provost for Undergraduate Advising

With the fall term approaching, we are writing to share some exciting developments designed to enhance academic advising at BU. We know how important it is for you to have guidance and support as you navigate your academic journey. Your college years are a unique opportunity to explore interests, develop skills, and prepare for life after graduation—and the right advising can make all the difference.

We are pleased to announce that the University has expanded its advising team so that every undergraduate student will have a dedicated professional academic advisor. Beginning this fall, some students will be assigned a new academic advisor as part of this expansion.

Make an Advising Appointment

To help you build a strong advising relationship and craft an educational plan that reflects your values, interests, and goals, we expect you to meet with an academic advisor once per semester. You will be able to see your advisor’s information and make an appointment with them by logging into MyBU Student.

While your conversations with your advisor may change over time, they often cover topics like exploring your academic interests, fulfilling your major and BU Hub requirements, pursuing opportunities outside the classroom, and connecting with campus resources. Your academic advisor should be your first point of contact for course registration questions and long-term academic planning. More information about how to connect with advisors across the University is available through the advising website.

Guidance from Faculty

We also encourage you to seek guidance and mentoring from your professors. Faculty can offer valuable insights on course content, different academic fields, research projects, graduate studies, and potential career paths. Some students will be assigned a faculty mentor in MyBU Student, while others may choose to connect with a professor on their own. In either case, building a relationship with a faculty member can help you find your academic community and could open important doors for your future.

Assistant Provost for Undergraduate Advising Katie Steele collaborates with BU’s undergraduate schools and colleges on academic advising. If you need help connecting with an advisor or if you have any questions, please contact Katie at steelek@bu.edu. We wish you all the best for a great year ahead.