Navigate pre-major academic decisions and formulate your academic plans with faculty advisers who serve as intellectual mentors. Faculty advisers are often the first faculty members you encounter as a first-year student. At Princeton, pre-major advising happens through your residential college, where faculty advisers are selected from across departments. Active members of their college communities, faculty advisers join students for meals as well as more formal advising meetings each semester. You will be assigned a dedicated faculty adviser who can provide individual guidance. How it Works Your faculty adviser meets with you before course selection to help you think through your course choices, while developing a strategy for meeting your short- and long-term academic goals. Faculty advisers are generalists, equipped to advise you no matter your academic interests. B.S.E. candidates are advised by faculty from the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS); A.B. candidates are advised by faculty from across the A.B. departments and programs. Contact your faculty adviser for: Advice on course selection and adding/dropping courses Routine questions about fulfilling prerequisites General academic advice Every faculty adviser is trained in the University’s core requirements. They know the prerequisites for majors and can help you think broadly about how to make the most of your liberal arts education. Since no faculty member can know everything about Princeton, they may refer you to your assistant dean for studies and to specialized advisers for additional guidance. Elements of a Successful Partnership Your faculty adviser’s role Getting to know you Your faculty adviser will want to learn about your academic history (such as the kind of high school or previous higher education experience you've had), perceived areas of strength or weakness, and intellectual and extracurricular passions. Speak honestly with them about your interests, abilities, and goals. Familiarity with the University’s general education requirements and the purpose of a liberal arts curriculum Your faculty adviser can help you look at your studies from different angles, considering how your interests, career aspirations, and commitment to service align. Serving as an accessible gateway to other resources Faculty advisers are not expected to have an answer for every question, and can direct you to appropriate University partners as needed. Your role as an advisee Help them get to know you Reflect on your interests, experiences, and goals, and be frank about your plans, concerns, and hopes. Update your faculty adviser on your academic experiences and new or changing interests. Prepare for advising meetings Read through Course Offerings, familiarize yourself with requirements, and be sure to submit the Academic Planning Form (APF, available on TigerHub) prior to the appointment. Take initiative Get to know your faculty adviser and build connections to academic advising and support resources. If you encounter difficulty, ask for help. Make informed choices Attend information sessions, advising fairs, and department open houses to learn about Princeton's academic opportunities. Connect with Your Adviser Find your faculty adviser Your faculty adviser’s name is listed on TigerHub. Contact your faculty adviser Your faculty adviser will share the best way to schedule a meeting, often via Calendly, Microsoft Bookings, or email. You can also email your faculty adviser with questions or to share your plans or updates. Change your faculty adviser A.B. sophomores may choose to stay with their first-year faculty adviser or request to switch; B.S.E. sophomores are advised by their departments. When you select a major, you will develop advising relationships with your department and the departmental advisers who guide your independent work. If you have questions or concerns about your advising support, don’t hesitate to talk with your residential college assistant dean for studies or dean. Forms A.B. / B.S.E. Program Form Complete this form as an important matriculation process to help your faculty adviser learn about your interests and trajectory. Academic Planning Form Complete this form every semester before you meet with your faculty adviser to discuss your academic interests and course choices for the next semester. Additional Resources TigerHub Complete academic and enrollment functions using this convenient online portal.