Academic Advising

The advising staff in the Center for Academic Excellence supports students through all aspects of their undergraduate experience, including transitions, successes, challenges, explorations, and, ultimately, your Wisconsin Experience!

Our advisors share a student-centered, collaborative philosophy, and we aim to facilitate the achievement of UW-Madison’s Essential Learning Outcomes. We can walk you through your Degree Audit Report (DARS) to review progress toward your major and completion of your degree and help you learn course enrollment tools, but we’re also here to provide guidance about how to navigate the daily ins and outs of campus life (i.e., housing, food, transportation), engage with faculty, and how to get involved in student organizations or research as early as your first year.

Your CAE advisor can also help you translate University and school/college policies and serving as your first line of support in difficult times. We are equipped to co-create academic plans, and empower you to set and work toward your goals. We are also here to help you explore majors and to facilitate your leadership development and skills-building, and to foster a welcoming and inclusive community.

Our students are empowered and engaged scholars, and we love learning with and from them. We help them create their Wisconsin Experience, and also help to foster a strong sense of inclusive and belonging within CAE, and across campus.

Here are some of the other ways CAE advisors can help you:

  • Understand degree requirements and registration tools and processes
  • Connect you with key learning support centers on campus, such as the Chemistry and Physics Learning Centers, GUTS, McBurney Center, and more
  • Find scholarship, internship, and study abroad opportunities
  • Clarify academic policies and requirements
  • Assist and guide you during academic and personal challenges
  • Help you connect your liberal arts education to your post-graduation career plans
  • Celebrate your successes and achievements

What Scholars Can Expect from CAE

 

When meeting with CAE advisors, it may be helpful to understand the scope of what you can expect from them.  Your CAE advisor will:

  • Provide holistic, individualized advocacy and support in the exploration, definition, and achievement of your educational, career, and life goals
  • Provide referrals to resources, programs, and support services when needed
  • Facilitate accurate and timely information and interpretation of campus policies, procedures, and general education and major requirements
  • Offer a caring and inclusive space to ask questions; explore interests, values and strengths; and discuss concerns
  • Connect you with to specialized advisors across campus to support your academic plan
  • Help you understand, navigate, and transition to life on campus at UW-Madison
  • Guide you in the  in the selection of courses and to identify other educational experiences while reinforcing your personal and social responsibilities
  • Promotion of intellectual and practical skills through high-impact, integrative learning experiences
  • Facilitate leadership development and co-curricular engagement in the campus community
  • Help you monitor your academic progress and re-evaluation of your plans and goals with you as necessary

What CAE expects from Scholars

 

The CAE teams partners with you to create the college experience you desire. We expect that students will be engaged with us and active in crafting their academic trajectory. Here are the expectations we have of you in return:

  • Come prepared to each appointment with questions, interests, and materials for discussion
  • Take notes during advising meetings
  • Be courteous and that you will silence cell phones during appointments
  • Participate in the advising experience as an active learner, respect the collaborative process
  • Carefully consider your advisor’s recommendations or action steps and follow through as appropriate. Keep in touch with your advisor between appointments
  • Become knowledgeable about UW-Madison, and about the policies, procedures, deadlines and requirements of the College of Letters & Science (or your school or college)
  • Reflect upon and communicate your educational, career, and life goals and be willing to explore plans
  • Accept responsibility for your decisions and actions
  • Review and be familiar the CAE academic advising syllabus and engagement schedule
  • CAE scholars are also expected to meet with their advisor throughout each year to help ensure they are maximizing their experience:

    • First-year students: Meet at least 3 times each semester
    • Second-year students: Meet at least 2 times each semester
    • Third-year students and beyond: Meet at least once each semester