UMass Amherst

Commonwealth College Advising

Who are the Commonwealth College advisors?

The advising unit of Commonwealth College is made up of fulltime professional advisors and part-time faculty, graduate student and undergraduate peer advisors who can provide you with information and advice in all aspects of your career as a Commonwealth College student. See advisors.

What kind of advising can I expect from Commonwealth College?

Commonwealth College advisors primarily assist you with fulfilling your honors graduation requirements and with learning about honors opportunities. We can also assist with choosing a major and with optimizing the benefits of being in an honors college within a large university. Peer advisors are particularly helpful in providing an honors student perspective on navigating Commonwealth College and the University in general.

Careful planning will allow you to meet honors requirements while participating in a wide variety of academically-based opportunities such as internships and co-ops, study abroad, leadership training, Five College courses and activities, and community service learning courses (courses that integrate work in the classroom with active outreach to the community in order to meet community needs).

How do I make an advising appointment?

Our receptionist schedules appointments for all the advisors.
Just phone (413) 545-2483.

When is it best to schedule an appointment?

We recommend that you schedule qualitative check-ins and future-planning sessions at non-peak times. Advising systems throughout the campus are in high demand during the first two weeks of a semester and during SPIRE registration appointments (November and April). Students with scheduling needs and time-urgent concerns will be given priority during these peak times.

Advising Tips

  • Save footsteps: call 413-545-2483 to schedule appointments
  • Get involved in something that matters to you
  • Build relationships with faculty and advisors (use office hours; schedule appointments)
  • Be sure to see a Commonwealth College advisor if you plan to be away from the University for any reason (study abroad), wish to learn about different honors tracks (departmental and interdisciplinary honors), need to discuss something that is interfering with your academic progress or want to talk with a supportive listener
  • Begin to plan your capstone experience early; not later than junior year (sooner if studying abroad)
  • Use email for simple questions requiring brief responses; schedule appointments for more complex issues
  • Read your emails from Commonwealth College; news@comcol emails will alert you about many academic opportunities and social activities that can be of benefit!

Additional University Advising

Commonwealth College advisors will refer you to an array of program, opportunity, resource, and service advisors and counselors, including Chief Undergraduate Advisors, Departmental Honors Coordinators, and Academic Deans.

Chief Undergraduate Advisor (CUA): The CUA is the advisor in your major department who is responsible for coordinating undergraduate advising for students in your major. When you are seeking advice about fulfilling major or minor requirements, you should see the CUA in the department’s undergraduate advising office. If you don’t have a major, visit Undergraduate Advising Services (PAS) in 615 Goodell for assistance and see your Commonwealth College advisors. It is a good idea to bring a copy of your Commonwealth College requirements with you when you are meeting with advisors other than your Commonwealth College advisors.

Departmental Honors Coordinator (DHC): This advisor from your major department acts as a liaison to Commonwealth College and oversees honors students who are enrolled in the Departmental Honors track. The DHC oversees your admission to, and progress related to, departmental honors, as well as reviews honors independent studies and course substitutions for departmental honors credit. The DHC is a good resource if you are having difficulty finding departmentally-based honors courses or Independent Capstone Experience committee members.

Academic Dean: Your Academic Dean advises you on issues related to your college requirements such as foreign language and Global Education requirements. The Dean can also guide you when you are seeking exceptions to standard policy, e.g., permission to increase your semester credit limit, add a course after the end of the add/drop period, or drop a course after the end of the “W” period due to extenuating circumstances.

Other Mentoring

Instructors and professionals with whom you have worked closely can provide additional guidance. They are also an excellent source for personalized letters of recommendation as you near graduation. These individuals can offer first-hand knowledge of your academic abilities, motivation, reliabilty, and creativity. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to establish mentoring relationships with these individuals. Not only will you be able to request letters of recommendation with confidence, your studies will also benefit from your mentors' experience and expertise.

 

 

 

Advising

Pre-Reg Advising peer advisors

Peer Advisors assisting at the
Undergraduate Research Conference