Advising FAQs

Once you send your transcript to the registrar, they will upload your accepted credits onto Falcon Landing. Once that process is completed, we will create your plan of study and help build your schedule.

Yes! We help students who have 59 credit hours or less. If you are a transfer, depending on the number of credit hours and the school your major is in, you may go to your major advisor. Always consult with a Student Success Coach first if you have any questions.

The easiest way to identify your advisor is to log on to the SAU website and go to our Advising Webpage. Under ‘Advising Staff’, you will see your school and major. Or you can come to the Student Success Center located on the second floor of Delany.

We encourage you to meet with your advisor often since he/she is the most reliable resource of information, planning, and support for you. The frequency with which you should meet with your academic advisor can vary depending on your academic goals, your program of study, and your individual needs. However, here are some general guidelines to consider:

1. At the Beginning of Each Semester: It’s a good idea to meet with your academic advisor at the start of each semester to discuss your course selection and academic goals for that particular term. This can help ensure you’re on track and taking the right courses to meet your degree requirements.
2. During Major Transitions: You should definitely meet with your advisor when you’re transitioning between academic milestones, such as choosing a major, or declaring a minor.
3. When You Have Questions or Concerns: If you have any questions or concerns about your academic progress, course selection, or any other aspect of your education, don’t hesitate to reach out to your advisor. They are there to provide guidance and support.
4. Regularly Scheduled Check-Ins: Some academic advisors may have a recommended schedule for check-in meetings. For example, they may suggest meeting once or twice a semester to track your progress and discuss your long-term academic and career goals.
5. As Needed: In addition to the above, you should feel free to schedule meetings with your advisor as needed. If you’re facing academic challenges, personal difficulties that are affecting your studies, or if you have a change in your goals or interests, it’s a good time to seek their guidance.

Remember that your academic advisor is there to help you succeed academically and make informed decisions about your education. The frequency of your meetings can depend on your comfort level and specific needs, so don’t hesitate to reach out whenever you feel it’s necessary. It’s also a good practice to keep open communication with your advisor via email or other forms of communication between face-to-face meetings.

It’s easy to schedule an appointment with your advisor. Click HERE to schedule an appointment with your advisor now! You can also contact your advisor via email or telephone to set up a time convenient for the both of you. Drop-in visits are fine, but scheduling an appointment will ensure that your advisor isn’t in a meeting or with another student. Your advisor is located in the Academic Advising Center in upstairs Delany. To locate their office, you can visit his/her advising page for contact information.

Preparing for a meeting with your academic advisor is essential to ensure that you make the most of your time together and get the guidance you need. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to prepare for your meeting:

• Show up to the meeting on time and be respectful of your advisor’s time. If you need to reschedule, provide ample notice.
• Be open to your advisor’s recommendations and suggestions. They have experience and insights that can help you make informed decisions.
• Identify your academic and career goals.
  • Are you working toward a specific major, minor, or career path?
  • Do you have questions about your academic progress or course choices?

Also consider any long-term objectives, such as graduation timelines, internships, study abroad programs, or graduate school plans.

• If you have any questions, concerns or topics you’d like to discuss with your advisor, write down a list. This might include questions about course selection, degree requirements, academic challenges, or opportunities for research or extracurricular involvement.
• If your advisor has previously provided recommendations or advice, review those materials before the meeting. This can help you follow up on previous discussions.

Changing your major is a process that MUST be initiated by talking with your advisor! It is imperative to meet with your advisor first to receive the most recent information about the transition to another major and the name of the appropriate contact individual within the new major. As well as make sure that you meet the requirements to transition to the new major of your choice.

Before meeting with your advisor to discuss a change in major, you should research your planned major. Good places to start are the major or department’s website (which you can find using the search feature on SAU’s homepage).

At Saint Augustine’s University, we strive for students to enroll into 15 credits per semester to achieve the “15 to Finish”. The “15 to Finish” initiative is a comprehensive strategy that encourages students to enroll in 15 credits per semester, aiming to facilitate on-time graduation. This allows you to complete your degree within a standard timeframe (usually four years for a bachelor’s degree) if you maintain this pace. Part-time enrollment is usually defined as taking fewer than 12 credit hours per semester.

It’s important to find a balance between challenging yourself academically and ensuring that you can succeed in your coursework. Overloading yourself with too many credit hours can lead to burnout and negatively impact your academic performance. On the other hand, taking too few credit hours may prolong your time in school. Ultimately, the right number of credit hours for you will depend on your unique situation.

Any changes that you make to your schedule during the registration period should first be discussed with your advisor to ensure that the changes won’t have negative implications for your degree progress. After talking with your advisor, your advisor will fill out the add/drop form and you will then send the form to the registrar office to complete the final steps. Usually the add/drop process is the first week of school.

Academic advisors help provide guidance and support to students. When you want to drop a course, they can help you assess the potential consequences for your academic progress, such as how it might impact your degree completion timeline, financial aid, or prerequisites for other courses.

You should speak with your academic advisor as soon as you realize you may be in trouble. Academic advisors are a fundamental layer of support and can work with you to develop some strategies for improving your academic status as well as help find the proper resources on campus. However, the longer you wait to talk with your advisor, the more difficult it will be for him/her to help you.

Your instructor can also be a great resource. Make an appointment or stop by your instructor’s office to discuss what you can do to improve your grade. Your instructor can provide personalized information on how to improve your skill and understanding of the subject. This also shows the instructor that you care about your grade and progress in the class.

After the add/drop period, you will not be able to drop a course but instead, withdraw from the course. It is very similar to the add/drop process, any changes that you make to your schedule during the withdrawal period should first be discussed with your advisor to ensure that the changes won’t have negative implications for your degree progress. After talking with your advisor, your advisor will fill out the withdrawal form and you will then send the form to the registrar office to complete the final steps.

Please Note: you only get EIGHT (8) course withdraws your entire time at Saint Augustine’s University.