Advising Information

Advising Flowchart Faculty Advisor Academic Coordinator Admissions Counselor Student Resource Center


Undergraduate Student Advising

An undergraduate student at WSU Vancouver can take advantage of an array of resources to help ensure timely completion of the degree.

From the time a student expresses interest in an undergraduate program at WSU Vancouver, a number of people stand ready to assist with everything from application for admission to completion of degree requirements and graduation. Advising on the Vancouver campus is designed to be user-friendly. If a student has a question, turn to an admissions counselor, academic coordinator, or faculty advisor. Each will either answer the question or connect the student with someone who can. Refer to the lists below to determine who can best help with specific questions or issues.

ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR Top

  • Conducts initial counseling session meeting before the student has applied and/or enrolled at the University.
  • Meets with a student to discuss freshman and/or transfer admission requirements, cost of attendance, and estimated time to degree completion.
  • Meets with a student to discuss general education requirements (GERs), writing portfolio, Tier III requirement, and requirements for a specific degree or option.
  • Advises students of degree options available on campus.
  • Receives the application for admission and supporting documents.
  • Receives and processes official transcripts from other schools.
  • Prepares a preliminary unofficial evaluation of transcripts.
  • Refers students to a financial aid officer for information on loans, grants, scholarships, work study, or waivers.
  • Refers students to a counselor if you have special needs, including documented disabilities.

ACADEMIC COORDINATOR Top

A new WSU Vancouver student's first academic advising session will be with an academic coordinator in the Student Resource Center (SRC) for undeclared pre major students or in the desired major area for certified majors. The academic coordinator is available as a resource throughout the student's undergraduate career.

Initial Meeting

After a student is admitted to the University, Freshman students meet with an academic coordinator during the ROAR Advising & Registration Day. Transfer students meet with a Student Resource Center or department advisor during the two week advising period prior to registration.

The Academic Coordinator:

  • Meets with the student to discuss general education requirements (GERs), writing portfolio, Tier III requirement, and requirements for a specific degree or option.
  • Prepares a degree checksheet and opens an advising file.
  • Assists in course planning.
  • Reviews the METRO registration system.
  • Removes advising holds.
  • Refers the student to the Office of Student Affairs to have an ID card made.
  • Refers the student to the Office of Public Safety for information on parking permits.
  • Refers the student to the financial aid office for information on loans, grants, scholarships, etc.
  • Refers the student with documented disabilities to the Student Resource Center to establish accomodations.

Subsequent Meetings:

  • Updates the student's advising file as transcripts are processed and grades recorded each term.
  • Assists with problems regarding transfer credits received.
  • Processes requests for reinstatement if the student becomes academically deficient (GPA below 2.0).
  • Helps the student apply for graduation.
  • Processes a graduation to-do list and explains the details to the student.
  • Changes the student's graduation date if needed.
  • Clears the student for graduation or advises him/her of any deficiencies.

FACULTY ADVISING OR SRC ADVISING DURING THE TWO WEEK ADVISING PERIOD Top

Each fall and spring semester, before priority registration, there is a designated two-week advising period for currently enrolled students. This is an opportunity for certified major students to meet with faculty advisors and undeclared or pre major students to meet with a Student Resource Center academic coordinator. The appointment is an opportunity to review progress toward degree completion and plan the student's class schedule for the upcoming semester.

It is strongly recommended that students make an appointment with their faculty advisor during this two-week window. If a student does not meet with their advisor during this time, the student may have difficulty scheduling an appointment time and miss the "priority" registration time for current students.

The faculty advisor:

  • Reviews the student's checksheet each semester and identifies remaining degree requirements.
  • Helps the student select classes each semester.
  • Discusses degree and career options with the student.
  • Refers the student to Career Services in the Student Resource Center for job postings and other related information.
  • Discusses internship opportunities and/or refers the student to an internship coordinator.
  • Refers the student to the Student Resource Center for counseling services or special accommodations.
  • Refers the student to the Office of Financial Aid for scholarship, loan, grant, or waiver information.
  • Provides the student with information about student clubs and other campus or community opportunities.
  • Provides the student with information about graduate school.

The faculty and staff at WSU Vancouver are committed to making the student's transfer and degree completion process as smooth as possible. But remember, it is ultimately the student's responsibility to be proactive and involved in that process.