College of Arts and Sciences
Advising for Junior-Year Students
This is the year to deepen your expertise, strengthen faculty connections, and begin preparing for what comes next.
What Advising Looks Like This Year
During your junior year, advising focuses on:
- Completing upper-division coursework
- Confirming your graduation timeline
- Exploring research, internships, and study abroad
- Preparing for post-graduate plans
Conversations shift from exploration to execution.
Before Your Appointment
To prepare:
- Review your DARS and degree progress
- Confirm your intended graduation term
- Review major and upper-division requirements
- Draft a plan through graduation
- Reflect on post-graduate goals
If you transferred coursework or anticipate petitioning requirements, prepare those questions in advance.
During Your Appointment
In your advising meeting, you and your advisor will:
- Review graduation requirements and remaining coursework
- Confirm residency and upper-division credit requirements
- Discuss catalog year eligibility
- Identify research, seminar, or special topic opportunities
- Explore conferences, workshops, or leadership development
- Discuss study abroad or experiential learning
- Talk through post-graduate goals
This is a strong time to ask about:
- What recent graduates are doing
- Resume-building opportunities
- Graduate or professional school preparation
- Scholarship or fellowship opportunities
Graduation Planning
Junior year is the ideal time to:
- Confirm you meet upper-division credit requirements
- Understand residency requirements
- Review your catalog year
- Begin preparing to apply for graduation
Applying to graduate typically begins one year prior to your intended graduation term.
After Your Appointment
After meeting with your advisor:
- Finalize and register for approved coursework
- Follow up on referrals and opportunities
- Meet with Career Development if exploring post-graduate plans
- Maintain communication with faculty mentors
- Revisit your graduation plan each semester
Planning now prevents surprises later.
Career & Post-Graduate Planning
Junior year is a key preparation period for:
- Internships or research positions
- Graduate or professional school exploration
- Pre-health, pre-law, or teacher preparation pathways
- Resume refinement and interview preparation
Meet with Career Development and consult relevant pre-professional advisors early in the process.