DUS News - October 21, 2019

News: 

Find Your Own Path

Penn State has over 680 majors and minor options. That is a lot of majors, which means you don’t have to follow the crowd. As a DUS student, you should work hard to create your own path at Penn State. This means exploring different academic paths in a proactive fashion. You could sit in on an upper-level course in a major that interests you. Or you could join a club that is connected to a major or minor. Or you could meet with your adviser to discuss different options at Penn State. Your academic path won’t find you; you have to find it!

Schedule an Appointment

Have you made a scheduling appointment with your adviser yet? If not, you should do this as soon as possible, as scheduling for the Spring 2020 semester is approaching fast!

You can schedule an appointment with your DUS Adviser (at University Park and at some Campus Locations) online via Starfish (starfish.psu.edu). To do this, log into Starfish and you should see a list of people and resources that are available to assist you, including your assigned DUS Academic Adviser. If online scheduling is enabled, you will see a link to make an appointment (If not, you can always contact your adviser or your Advising Office directly). For more information or step-by-step instructions, please visit: http://sites.psu.edu/starfishinfo/user-roles/student-users/#appointment.

Important Dates: 

More events at dus.psu.edu/calendar.

Resource Spotlight: 

PreHealth Advising

Are you interested in applying to a health professional school? Consider stopping by the Pre-Health Advising Center in 225 Ritenour Building. Visit their walk-in advising (less than 10 minutes -- M: 1:30–3:30 p.m.; T and F: 10:00–12:00 p.m.), make an appointment in Starfish, or attend one of their upcoming events for first- and second- year students:

  • Med Prep (medicine, dentistry, and podiatry)
    • Monday, November 11, 6:00–7:00 p.m. in 262 Thomas
  • PA Prep (physician assistant)
    • Wednesday, November 6, 6:00–7:00 p.m. in 201 Thomas

 

Events and Announcements: 

Explore Smeal

University Park

Attend Explore Smeal 2019 events on Monday, October 21, 2019 from 4:30–9:00 p.m. in the Business Building. There will be presentations on all eight Smeal majors and information sessions about opportunities outside of the classroom (including sessions on the alumni mentoring program, the Small Business Development Center, Honor & Integrity Initiatives, the Sustainability 2-Piece Sequence, how to read a degree audit, study abroad opportunities, diversity enhancement programs, and Career Business Services).

DUS Scholarship Now Open or Applications

All Campuses

The DUS Scholarship recognizes and awards $1,000 to outstanding DUS sophomores who have engaged meaningfully in exploring their academic options. If you are a DUS sophomore (at any campus) with a GPA of 3.50 or above, we encourage you to apply. Visit the DUS Scholarships page on our website for application information.

Peer Advising Office Hours

University Park

Have a LionPATH question or need help getting started with spring semester planning? Drop in to Grange Building and speak with a DUS Leadership Council student during their office hours! DUS Leadership Council office hours serve students on a first-come, first-served basis and are intended for 10-15 minute quick questions on any of the following topics:

For an academic progress check, entrance-to-major evaluation, and/or long-term degree planning, make an appointment with your assigned DUS adviser. For urgent and sensitive issues, including late dropping coursework, meet with the first available DUS adviser during Quick Question Advising.

Peer Advising availability this week (Grange Lobby). Please sign in at the clipboard at the front desk.

  • Tuesday, October 22, 1:30–2:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, October 23, 1:15–2:15 p.m.
  • Thursday, October 12
    • 10:30–11:30 a.m.
    • 1:30–2:30 p.m.
    • 3:30–4:30 p.m.
  • Friday, October 25, 2:30–3:30 p.m.

Group Advising Sessions

University Park

DUS will be holding Group Advising Sessions throughout the fall semester as a way to discuss popular advising topics with groups of students. These sessions are open to all DUS students and will help you to learn more about the topic and to ask questions in a friendly, open environment. For more information on each session, including dates and times, visit the DUS Group Advising page on our website. All sessions are held in the Grange Building Lobby, unless otherwise listed on the website. Some sessions have multiple dates and locations available.

Sessions include:

  • Exploration Workshop 
  • Interested in Smeal? 
  • Standing Out: Choosing Minors & Involvement Opportunities
  • Improve Your Study Skills
  • What Gen Eds Do I Need?
  • Afraid of Choosing the Wrong Major? 
  • Major and Career Planning
  • Scheduling Tools
  • DUS Students and Study Abroad

Undergraduate Research Workshops

All Campuses

Undergraduate students at Penn State interested in learning more about undergraduate research and creative inquiry and how can they get involved can attend workshops scheduled throughout the fall 2019 semester. Students don’t need to have any previous experience with research, and there are no prerequisites for attending. Undergraduates from all academic disciplines are encouraged to attend. Many of the workshops will have Zoom available for remote attendees.

Upcoming workshop:

  • Thursday, November 7, 5:30 p.m.: Info Session – Exploring Undergraduate Research Options at Penn State.

Visit the University Fellowships Office's website for a full list of workshops.

Engineering Major Nights

University Park

Learn about engineering majors at University Park during information sessions throughout the semester. Go to those that interest you, hear from students and faculty, find out about what you'd study in the major and what kinds of career opportunities there are, and tour the facilities. Upcoming major nights include:

Mechanical Engineering
Tuesday, October 22, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
135 Reber Building

Electrical Engineering
Wednesday, October 23, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
101 EE East

Biomedical Engineering
Thursday, October 24, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
114 Chemical and Biomedial Engineering Building (CBEB)

Nuclear Engineering
Tuesday, October 29, 5:00–6:00 p.m.
211 Hallowell Building

Biological Engineering
Wednesday, October 30, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
113 Ag Engineering Building

Stand for State Peer Educator

University Park

Stand for State is looking for students who want to help create a safer and more inclusive campus community for all. Stand for State knows students are the most powerful vehicles for change and is looking for peer educators to join our team. Being a peer educator is a volunteer position. Peer educators will be trained to provide 60-90 minute programs to student groups and classes about how to step in when it counts. As a peer educator you will also work as a team to create campaigns and social awareness events throughout the year and campus promoting and prompting culture change at Penn State.

Application Deadline: November 1.
Apply online today!