NSTP will follow the process outlined by Admissions: if a student is admitted as a pre-major, they will be advised by a pre-major adviser (i.e. Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity (OMAD) or UAA Advising). However, departmental advisers are encouraged to reach out to students who express interest in their major—NSTP supports and encourages early outreach and guidance from departments. Please note the following:
- Departments can view a list of interested pre-major students by running a report in the Bi Portal and are encouraged to send welcome emails or additional communications. Explore examples from departments.
- Departments can see when a student is attending orientation by checking the "Advising Date" column in the Bi Portal or by reviewing the A&O Student List.
- Departments can pre-enroll a student in a seminar before they arrive for Advising & Orientation (A&O), if they choose.
- NSTP is encouraging all students to make an appointment or attend drop-in sessions with departmental advisers using the departmental advising link during A&O Part 2.
- Meeting first with a pre-major adviser and then following up with a departmental advising appointment gives students the opportunity to “learn how to fish”—developing the skills to explore and navigate their academic path independently.
Why the change?
Pre-major students are not yet part of a department, so there is specific information their pre-major advisers need to communicate. If a department wishes to admit students directly into the major, we recommend working to shift policy so students can be conditionally admitted at the time of acceptance to the UW.
