August 2, 2024
Dear Members of the Class of 2028,
Today, we write to tell you about the advising resources available to you, both now and during the academic year.
ADVISING AVAILABLE NOW
Peer advisers
You are expected to meet with a peer adviser via Zoom through the Summer Peer Advising Program at least once before you come to campus.
Advising videos
We also invite you to watch the short advising videos on a range of topics and, if applicable, the recordings of last month’s pre-health and engineering/computer science webinars.
Pre-health advising
If you are a pre-health student, you will also have access to support during the academic year from the Health Professions Advisory Program, a unit within the Office of Career Strategy.
ADVISING IN YOUR COLLEGE
Your dean
One of your principal academic advisers, your residential college dean, will be in regular touch with you throughout your time at Yale, beginning in mid-August.
Your first-year counselor
Your dean also oversees the network of advisers in your residential college, including first-year counselors (“FroCos”) and college advisers. FroCos are seniors who live among first-year students to provide peer advice.
Your college adviser
College advisers are Yale faculty or staff members who volunteer to advise first-years and sophomores about their academic and extracurricular interests and aspirations.
ADVISING FOR EXPLORING MAJORS
Directors of Undergraduate Studies (DUSs)
Outside the residential college, each major has its own director of undergraduate studies (DUS), a faculty member who oversees their department’s undergraduate curriculum. You’ll be able to meet them after you arrive on campus, at the Academic Fair (August 27, 1:00-2:30 p.m.), and may ask about courses, placement, and majors then, or arrange a follow-up meeting.
ADVISING FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS
Office of Educational Opportunity
In addition, the Office of Educational Opportunity (OEO) provides pathways for student success through interactive workshops and peer mentorship. Programs include
Disability mentoring
OEO also offers the Disability Peer Mentor Program (DPMP) and invites interested students to sign up on this form for DPMP’s and Student Accessibility Services’ webinar on transitioning to college with disabilities and/or neurodivergence on Wednesday, August 7 at 8:00 p.m.
Faculty talks
On August 20, you will attend one of nine talks given by leading faculty members across a range of subject areas. Each talk will describe different “ways of knowing” from the perspective of different disciplines. What counts as evidence and knowledge to a philosopher? An economist? A biologist? How certain are we in that knowledge? How do different disciplines gather/create knowledge?
These talks are meant to inspire you as you select courses in your first year (and beyond). You may rank your preferred talks on the Preference Selection home page next week (see below). If you do not submit a preference, you will be assigned to a talk randomly. Do not hesitate to choose something outside of your comfort zone, or to explore a current interest!
A FEW FINAL REMINDERS
Placement
Placement exam results will be returned to you directly by email or via Canvas by August 5 at 5:00 p.m. Your results will guide you to select courses at the appropriate level during Preference Selection or on registration day, August 21 (1:00-3:00 p.m.).
Preference Selection
Preference Selection runs from August 6 (8:00 a.m.) to 12 (5:00 p.m.). Many first-year students will take an introductory or first-year course that uses Preference Selection, including chemistry, English, math, and some language courses. This tool allows you to rank your preferences for courses and meeting times at any time between August 6-12; the time of submission is not a factor in the assignment process. Please also use this system to register for one of the August 20 faculty talks noted above. Assignments will be posted on August 16.
Writing survey
The Writing survey remains open until August 15.
We look forward to welcoming you to campus in a few weeks!
Sincerely,
Pam Schirmeister
Deputy Dean of Yale College and the Graduate School
Dean of Undergraduate Education
PREVIOUS OUE MESSAGES
- Yale’s approach to undergraduate education (May 24)
- Academic requirements (June 7)
- Summer academic matters (July 5)
- Selecting courses (July 19)
COMING DATES AND DEADLINES
August 6
Preference Selection for fall-term courses opens
August 7
Deadline to complete Work Hard, Play Smart course on Canvas
August 12
Preference Selection for fall-term courses closes
August 15
Writing survey closes
August 17
Peer advising sessions, required of all first-year students, close