Advising

The academic choices at Tufts are plentiful, and entering students do not chart their academic path alone. In the first year, students will work with a pre-major advisor and two orientation leaders, who offer guidance and support by talking about their academic interests, plans and goals. Later, students choose an advisor in their major.

First-Year Advising

In keeping with the flexible theme of our curricula, Tufts offers five advising options for our undergraduates:

Curricular Advising Program (CAP)

The distinguishing feature of CAP is that your advisor will be teaching one of the courses in which you will be enrolled for your first semester, and some of the other students in the class will be members of your advising group. In the past, students were able to choose from courses as diverse as “Biotechnology Engineering" and "Sex and Gender in Society” and “Aspects of the Sephardic Tradition.”

Explorations

Developed over 25 years ago by students in the Experimental College, the Explorations program is a seminar developed and taught by two upperclass students (who also serve as your peer advisors). Your pre-major advisor will then be a faculty member or administrator who will attend the class meetings. In the past, Explorations topics have covered everything from pop culture to bioethics, including courses on “Leadership and Group Dynamics” and “College Students and Community Service.” 

Faculty Seminars

Faculty Seminars provide students with an opportunity to get to know their advisor in a classroom setting. Some professors elect to step outside their academic department and organize a seminar on a topic of great personal interest. Other faculty members will select topics within their primary disciplines; for example, one of our political science professors taught “Law, Minorities, and Others,” which explored functions of the law and legal decisions and their effects on minorities and underrepresented groups. No matter what the topic, you will find faculty eager to share their favorite subjects to encourage you to learn and possibly develop your own sense of passion for the subject.

Host Advising

The Host Advising program is the most traditional advising option, providing students with a pre-major advisor and two orientation leaders who are available during orientation and throughout the year for academic advice and counsel. Some first-year students find this program works well with their academic schedule as it offers a great deal of flexibility.

Perspectives

The Perspectives program pairs each student with 12 to 14 other students, two upperclass peer leaders, and a pre-major advisor. Unlike other advising options, every Perspectives group studies the same topic. Last year’s topic, for example, was “Approaches to the Movies,” and the groups explored the world of films and filmmaking in Hollywood.

Major Advising

Once you decide on your major, you will choose a major advisor in your department or program who will guide you through the process of fulfilling course requirements and perhaps completing a senior capstone or thesis. You major advisor may also prove invaluable to helping you find relevant internships and research opportunities. If you plan on continuing your education in graduate or professional school, your major advisor can be of great help in that effort, too.