Today is the deadline for freshmen to turn in their Sophomore Year Adviser Form to their residential college dean’s office.
1a. Are you planning to major in a STEM field?
If so, you should select the director of undergraduate studies in your potential major or one of the department’s designated representatives as your sophomore adviser. Please keep in mind that this doesn’t preclude you from establishing or continuing informal advising networks with other faculty members.
1b. Are you planning to major in a non-STEM field?
If so, you might consider selecting your sophomore adviser according to one of the following criteria:
- a shared academic interest or an affiliation with a department that you are considering for your major
- a course or a subject matter taught by a faculty member that appeals to you
- a successful advising relationship with your freshman adviser that you would like to continue into next year (see number 3, below)
- the director of undergraduate studies or the DUS’s designated representative(s) in your potential major
2. Are you unsure whom to select or how to go about it?
If you haven’t established an academic relationship with a faculty member this year, there’s still time. For example, you can go to one of your professors’ office hours to discuss an issue, a reading, or a topic of mutual interest, or you might make an appointment to discuss your goals and plans for next year. If you’re still up in the air, both your freshman adviser and your residential college dean are available to discuss options with you.
3. Who is eligible to be a sophomore adviser?
Only the following are eligible to be sophomore advisers:
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences faculty members (i.e., faculty who teach in Yale College or in the Graduate School, but not faculty in the professional schools) and who are in residence next fall and spring (i.e., not on sabbatical or on leave)
- assistant or associate deans of Yale College
4. How do I formalize my selection?
- Click here to access and print a Sophomore Year Adviser Form, obtain your sophomore adviser’s signature, and turn in the signed form to your residential college dean’s office. A copy of the form is also attached at the end of this email
Please also read these FAQs for answers to common questions.