Helpful Tips

Establish a relationship with your advisor during the first month of the semester:

• Learn who your faculty advisor is, their contact information, and office hours. This can be found on the Student Link or by contacting the Sargent Academic Services Center.
• Familiarize yourself with your curriculum and all of the Sargent programs so that you come to your advising meeting informed. Refer to the program manual, BU bulletin, and/or the Sargent website.
• Introduce yourself to your advisor and establish a collaborative, two-way approach. Always address your faculty advisor with appropriate respect.
• Document any guidance your advisor gives you.

Also, consider the following guidelines:

• If you are considering academic opportunities, meet with advisors to discuss23 the feasibility of your goals and how to best fit them into your major requirements.
• If you are having academic challenges, reach out to professors and advisors to discover how to best address these challenges. Seeking help early helps you become more independent and effective in meeting your goals. You were admitted to BU because you have the foundation to be here, but it does not necessarily mean you have developed the skills to master the material. Advisors and professors can guide you to the most effective resources.

Applying for volunteer and professional opportunities

You will need letters of recommendation for many volunteer and professional opportunities. Recognize that establishing a good relationship with your advisor will help you request a recommendation; they are often the first faculty member you get to know personally.

Requesting recommendations

• Meet with the advisor in person at least one month before your request to determine whether the advisor would be able to write a positive recommendation.
• If the advisor agrees to write a recommendation, be prepared to articulate:
  • What you are applying for
  • Whether you are requesting multiple recommendations
  • The appropriate time frame for responding
  • Your reasons for seeking this opportunity
  • All contact info and deadlines necessary to complete the recommendation
  • Include your resume and statement of intent (if applicable) so the advisor can write a thoughtful recommendation of support.

Don’t assume that an advisor will be willing and able to write your recommendation letter – be prepared with alternatives.

Registration

• Since this will be your first time registering on your own, please reply promptly your advisor’s meeting invitation or make an appointment at least 3-4 weeks before you register for courses to ensure ample time to ask questions. If you wait until the week before you register to make an appointment, your advisor may no longer have available appointment times.  You do not want to rush these appointments. Your advisor is one of your greatest resources and can be your advocate.
• Familiarize yourself with this Advising Portal as well as your on-line departmental manuals.

• Familiarize yourself with your four-year curriculum plan
• Come to your advising meeting with specific questions about distinctive academic opportunities (i.e. study abroad, minors, graduate school prerequisites, or declaring a dual degree)
• Use the Degree Advice Report and the What If option on the Student Link to explore how to fit in specific requirements and academic options such as a minor.
• If you are considering:
  • Change of major within Sargent, make an appointment to speak with an Assistant Director of Academic Services in the ASC (617-353-2713).
  • Change of major outside of Sargent or BU, meet with an Assistant Director of Academic Services in the ASC at (617-353-2713).
  • Academic or service opportunities beyond your major, investigate the websites on your own before meeting with an advisor.
  • Graduate schools for a specific area, research the prerequisite courses before your meeting. It is your responsibility to identify those courses ahead of time. That way, the advisor can help determine the feasibility of fitting those courses into your curriculum.
  • Summer volunteer or employment opportunities, in November or December of the previous year, familiarize yourself with deadlines. Identify who you’d like to ask for recommendations at least 1 month in advance.

• Make sure you are on track to graduate by reviewing your credits, courses, and GPA with your faculty advisor. Use the Degree Advice Report and Transcript on the Student Link to review your record.
• Start discussing your future plans with your faculty advisor and advisors within the ASC Office:
  • Attend BU Career Center Workshops to develop interview skills, professional resumes, and cover letters
  • Ask advisors to review your grad schools lists. They can offer feedback and support through this process.
  • Request recommendations
  • Attend Sargent Alumni/Student events to begin networking with alumni
  • Gain practical experience in the area you want to pursue
  • Plan for graduate school entrance exams
  • If you are unsure about your future plans, speak with those who can help you determine next steps including your faculty advisors, academic counselors, career center staff, and professors.

Seniors only

• When you receive a letter from the Academic Services Center inviting you to apply for graduation, please do so by December 1 if you plan to graduate in May or September. (January graduates should submit their applications by October 1).
• Check our Commencement page for graduation details and to confirm your graduation program listing.

• Familiarize yourself with the Sargent College website. It has information about academic policies and each of your programs including curriculum, internship details, and contact information. It also has links to specific forms and academic opportunities.
• Ensure that all of your external credits and AP scores are recorded correctly on the Student Link under the Degree Advice report. If there are discrepancies, make an appointment to speak with an Assistant Director in the Academic Services Center. If you choose to take courses outside of BU, please follow the procedures on the transfer equivalency form. If you entered as an external transfer and your credits are still being evaluated, please contact the Registrar’s Office credeval@bu.edu before meeting with an Assistant Director of Academic Services at Sargent. 
• If you would like to study abroad, please review the programs carefully to determine if this is feasible given your major requirements. If it seems like studying abroad is a viable option, make an appointment to meet with a Sargent Assistant Director of Academic Services.
• If you are interested in declaring a minor, please review the requirements in the department you are considering. Also remember that you can only apply two courses from your major toward your minor. Follow the procedures for declaring a minor and download the minor application form.
• If you are considering declaring a dual degree or double major, make an appointment with an Assistant Director of Academic Services and visit the dual degree page.  Come prepared with the requirements of the secondary school so we can determine if this is feasible. Remember that you must complete 144 credits to pursue this option.
• Meet with your faculty advisor periodically to review degree requirements and discuss future goals. You can find your advisor on the Student Link and there should be contact info there as well.