College Advising

What Is College Advising?

College Advising is a process where students meet regularly with academic advisors to discuss course selection, degree requirements, career planning, and other aspects of college life. Advisors help students develop study skills and learn how to strike a healthy balance inside and outside of the classroom.

College Direct Plus team of academic advisors provides expert guidance to help college students make informed decisions about majors, graduate academic programs, and career paths.

Insight Into College Advising

Let's' be your compass. We'll guide you through the complexities of college admissions, helping you find the perfect fit and build a strong application that highlights your unique strengths.


Why Do Students Need College Advising?

You’re in college — now what? This period of self-exploration and learning is exciting, but students still need expert guidance when deciding on their major, career, and future as they grapple with who they are or who they want to become. Strong guidance during this critical time keeps students on track to graduate on time and can also help students outside of the classroom. Your academic advisor is with you from day one, providing guidance for first-year students adjusting to college life all the way to seniors to prepare for what’s next. Our expert advisors have worked with students in every aspect of college advising and know how to help students make the most of their experience and tap into the various resources available to them directly on their campus.

What Does a College Advisor Do?

Building a strong professional network is crucial for career advancement. We equip you with the essential tools and strategies to excel in networking. Learn how to build and maintain meaningful relationships, identify effective networking platforms and events, and master the art of communication. We will teach you how to leave a lasting impression, exchange valuable information, and follow up effectively to nurture your network. College advisors help college students with choosing a major, course selections, career planning, and more. A college advisor will listen to your concerns and develop an understanding of your strengths, weaknesses, and interests. From there, they can help you understand what classes you should take, how much work you may need to do for each class, and which courses you should drop.

At College Direct Plus, our advisors works with you to:

Provide advice on majors/minors, requisites, and grade goals

Review your course selection

Ensure you are staying on track to achieve your academic, personal, and career goals

Advise on extracurricular endeavors and research opportunities

Help you take advantage of everything your school has to offer

Discuss post-graduate plans, including relevant graduate school programs and suitable career paths

When appropriate, provide guidance on prerequisites in relation to admission to graduate school programs and bring in the right Career Direct experts for support during the graduate admissions process

Determine if and when a student might need to transfer and bring in the right Career Direct experts for assistance with the transfer admissions process

Let's help you achieve all your college dreams...

What Are The Benefits of College Advising?

College advising can help open you up to new curricular and social opportunities, such as different majors or minors, clubs, and affinity groups. These types of advising discussions are beneficial because they can broaden your view of yourself and the opportunities you can pursue. Additionally, an academic advisor can keep you on track and be there to catch and support you should you face challenges.

College advising also plays an important role in determining whether undergraduate students will be satisfied with their institution and overall college experience. Researchers have found that students rated college advising as the second most important thing to them in their college experience, just behind the quality of the courses. Another group of researchers found that trust in one’s academic advisor can increase a student’s commitment to a given institution. Advisors play an important role in student satisfaction.

What Our Students Say About Us

"They helped me create a college application that truly showed who I am. It was like they knew me better than I did. Their guidance was invaluable in helping me stand out from the crowd."

Maya Patel

Writer

"I was drowning in college applications, but the people at College Direct Plus threw me a lifeline. Their expert guidance helped me find the perfect schools and craft essays that truly showcased my unique qualities. They were always there to offer support and encouragement."

Alex Turner

Teacher

"I had no clue what I wanted to study. College Direct Plus helped me explore different majors and find a path that aligned with my passions and strengths. Their support was instrumental in helping me make a confident decision about my future."

Ethan Ramirez

Lawyer

"They helped me create a college application that truly showed who I am. It was like they knew me better than I did. Their guidance was invaluable in helping me stand out from the crowd."

Maya Patel

Writer

"I was drowning in college applications, but the people at College Direct Plus threw me a lifeline. Their expert guidance helped me find the perfect schools and craft essays that truly showcased my unique qualities. They were always there to offer support and encouragement."

Alex Turner

Teacher

FAQ's About College Advising

A College Direct Plus college advisor will guide you on class selection, workload management, and course drops. They can also help you access on-campus resources, discuss career opportunities, suggest summer experiences and internships, and more.

A college advising meeting is a regular session where students ask about their academic plans and progress. Students should come prepared with questions about their major or minor(s), four-year plan, study abroad options, course selection, and more.

Your college advisor is a valuable resource for accessing various support systems on campus. They can refer you to the tutoring center, writing center, faculty office hours, and more. Additionally, they can help adjust your course schedule and select courses for academic success. Lastly, your College Direct Plus academic advisor can serve as a coach to keep you on track and motivated.

An academic advisor will assess your interests and strengths to find suitable subjects, incorporating them into your academic plan with courses that fulfill general education requirements. They will help you reflect on your experiences and narrow down major options, and may recommend meeting with career advisors for further guidance.

1. Is my academic plan realistic for my desired date of graduation?
2. Based on my interests and strengths, what type of major should I explore?
3. What type of resources is available to help me succeed in school?
4. How can I learn more about study abroad opportunities for my major?
5. What can I do to feel more connected to my school?
6. What processes do I need to complete to graduate?
7. Where can I learn more about different careers and internships for my major?