The Division of Undergraduate Studies offers three ways for you to interact with an academic adviser: quick question advising, peer advising, email, and scheduled advising appointments.
Quick Question Advising
Quick question advising (QQA) is intended for topics and questions that can be resolved with a brief 5-10 minute conversation. It is not intended for in-depth conversations about topics such as those listed in the Advising Appointments section listed below.
Acceptable topics for quick question advising include:
- Discussion about adding/dropping courses within deadlines
- Getting a form signed
- Help with LionPATH
- Reviewing entrance-to-major requirements
- General Education information not related to your schedule planning questions
- How to transfer credits
- Moving into DUS
QQA is held both in person in Grange Building as well as online via Zoom. Please note that a DUS Adviser is only available during the dates and times listed below. All times are Eastern Time.
DUS QQA Hours: September 30 - October 4
| Monday | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM |
| Wednesday | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
| Thursday | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
| Friday | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM |
After you check in to the waiting room, check your Penn State email continuously for an "Adviser is Ready" notification with connection instructions for Zoom. Join the Zoom room immediately upon receiving the email.
Click here to sign in to QQA Zoom waiting room
NOTE: If you are not a current Penn State student, please email dus@psu.edu or call 814-865-7576 for assistance. QQA is only available to current students.
Connect with an adviser through email:
- For students enrolled in DUS: email your assigned adviser. Use your Penn State email.
- For students not enrolled in DUS: use our online form to submit a question. Use your Penn State email.
When emailing your adviser, make sure to include your name and your student ID number. Remember that emails are not text messages and should use professional language. Keep in mind that most problems are better able to be solved during an appointment. We are happy to answer quick questions via e-mail. However, email is not a substitute for advising appointments.
Advising Appointments
Some questions require a longer conversation to discuss available options. If you need to talk about one of the topics listed below, schedule an appointment with your adviser in Starfish.
- Schedule planning
- Discussion about study abroad
- Questions about changing majors
- Academic difficulty
- Internships
- Concurrent majors
- Planning for a minor
- Faculty senate petitions
- Changes in academic goals
- Anything that will take more than 10 minutes
Note: Scheduled appointments are based on each individual adviser's availability, which may provide hours outside of the normal work day. If an appointment appears on your adviser's Starfish calendar, your adviser is available at that time. All appointments are scheduled based on Eastern time zone times. If you live outside of the Eastern time zone, please be aware of the time difference when scheduling your appointment.
Plan ahead for your appointments. Advising appointments fill up quickly during the registration timetable. If you wait until the last minute to make an appointment, you may not be able to meet with your adviser prior to your registration date. If that occurs, please see "choose your courses" with information about how to plan your schedule. You can always review your schedule with your adviser after your registration date.
Do your best to ensure your advising meeting is as productive as possible by following the suggestions at Appointment Preparation.