Student advising at Princeton is collaborative by design, shared by faculty and the professional advising staff in the residential colleges. Princeton’s community advising model involves a team of mentors. Centered in the residential colleges and encompassing faculty, academic departments, and specialized advisers, we work to ensure that each student is fully supported and empowered both personally and academically. Residential college advising staff know the ins and outs of our approach and can connect students with the right resource for their needs. To learn more, visit Undergraduate Advising. Faculty Advising Program Well-trained in the University’s core requirements, faculty advisers help students think broadly and make the most of their liberal arts education. A.B. and B.S.E. Advising All first-year students are assigned a faculty adviser, who meets with them regularly to help them select their courses. B.S.E. candidates are matched with faculty in the School of Engineering and Applied Science. A.B. candidates are advised by faculty from our many departments and programs, ranging from African American Studies to the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs. Each faculty adviser works with 12-14 first-year students. A.B. faculty advisers work with an additional 12 sophomore students. Academically focused, our advising model is also centered on building community. Academic Advising Hold formal advising meetings each semester for each of their students Partner with college deans and assistant deans to help first-year students and sophomores select courses and make other decisions about their academic work. Social Connection Join students for meals as active members of their college communities Become part of a vibrant community of students and other faculty advisers After students declare a major, they are advised by faculty in their department. Call for Faculty Advisers If you’re interested in becoming a faculty adviser, please email Associate Dean Cecily Swanson. Advising Independent work Independent work represents the culmination of the Princeton undergraduate experience, in which students pursue original research and scholarship under the guidance and supervision of a faculty member in their chosen field. Faculty members advise both junior independent work and the senior thesis, and are versed in practices aligned with departmental goals and teaching methods. Advising Eligibility Guidelines Eligibility for faculty advising of independent work is governed by University policy. Departments may, at their discretion, allow students to request a faculty adviser outside of their home department. Regular, tenured or tenure-track faculty Eligible Ph.D.’s with active university teaching appointments (including research scholars) Eligible Postdoctoral research assistants (PDRA) and post-graduate research assistants (PGRA) In some cases, PDRAs and PGRAs who have fulfilled all the requirements for their doctoral degree are eligible to advise junior and senior independent work so long as they have a secondary appointment as a lecturer. PDRAs may not teach or advise for more than 50% of their appointment. Visiting faculty At the discretion of the department, visiting faculty may be permitted to advise independent work. A department may also approve a visiting faculty member with a terminal master’s degree to supervise junior independent work. However, these are departmental policy matters, not central University or Office of the Dean of the College policies. Graduate students Not eligible Academic Early Alert If a student in your course receives a failing grade on their midterm or is otherwise experiencing difficulty, please use the Academic Early Alert system (login required) to submit an academic progress report to the student's residential college staff. A member of the advising staff will reach out to the student and offer appropriate support. Resources Academic Advising at Princeton A dedicated team of advisers supports students as they chart their course of study and navigate the undergraduate curriculum. Office of Undergraduate Research OUR connects students with programs, funding, and resources to launch, pursue, and enrich research projects throughout their time at Princeton.
