The University of Texas at Arlington

How to Make Advising Work for You

A Short Film for Incoming First Year Students

Rebekah Karth Chojnacki, Dr. Emmanuel Garcia and the University Advising Center3/18/2016

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SCENE: Outside Ransom Hall STUDENT is standing outside with a backpack looking up at the sign. STUDENT walks in the door.

RECEPTIONISTWelcome to University College! How can I help you today?

STUDENTI would like to talk to an advisor. Can I see one now?

RECEPIONISTWe’re accepting walk-ins today, but you’ll need to wait until we have someone available. I’ll need your name and your student ID number please. Please take a number and then have a seat until someone comes out to get you.

STUDENTOkay, thank you. (STUDENT gets number and sits down).

ADVISORHi, Manny, thanks for coming to our office today! Come on back with me to my office.

SCENE: In ADVISOR’s office. ADVISORand STUDENT are sitting across from each other at a table.

ADVISORWelcome to UTA! How can I help you today?

STUDENTI’ll be starting at UTA this fall, and I would like to major in Communication. What can I do to prepare for getting my degree quickly? I don’t want to take more than four years to graduate.

ADVISORI’m going to give you an idea of what your degree plan will look like, but just know that four years is a long time, and you’ll likely have several adjustments along the way. Let’s check your account and make sure that all college work that you are transferring in has posted, along with test scores. I’ve printed off what’s showing up—is there anything missing?

STUDENTMy AP and IB scores are on here, but I’m not seeing anything from the dual credit classes I took over this past summer at TCC, just the ones from the year before.

ADVISORDid you request to have an updated transcript sent over?

STUDENT

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No. How do I do that?

ADVISORI’ll email you the link with the instructions for how to do that. Every time you take classes at another institution, you need to get an updated transcript from them sent over. Will you be working while you’re going to college? If so, how many hours a week?

STUDENTI was thinking of getting a campus job and working a bit during the week—do you know how I can get a campus job?

ADVISORI’ll send you the link to our Career Development site, where we have something called “Hire a Maverick” and “Snap Jobs” where you can apply to jobs that are just for UTA students. I would recommend that you don’t work more than 15-20 hours per week if you are going to be attending school full-time.

STUDENTOkay, if I have any questions, do I just come back to see you?

ADVISORYou’ll be starting with the University Advising Center for advising during your first year, but after that, advising will be in the college of your major. In your case, that will be in the Communication Department. Do you know what you want to concentrate in?

STUDENTI think I’d like to have my concentration be in Broadcast Journalism. I’d like to work for a TV network.

ADVISOR Great! One thing that you can do to be prepared is to come up with a plan for both academic and co-curricular success. There are several different student organizations that would be relevant for you, as well as campus jobs, such as The Shorthorn newspaper, UTA Radio, and UTA News.

STUDENTHow can I find out what groups are available to join?

ADVISORWe have a site called MavOrgs that lists all 300 of our active student organizations. Why don’t you look up which ones seem interesting to you, and next time you come back we can discuss it if you like. You can talk with our director, who has a background in radio, if you like—we’re all here as a resource for you!

STUDENTOkay, thanks! Is there a way I can talk with students in organizations in person?

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ADVISORYes, we have organizational fairs during orientation, where different groups come out to recruit for new members.

STUDENTCool! How many classes do I need to take a semester to graduate on time?

ADVISORWe usually start full-time students out at UTA with about 15 hours for their first semester, which adds up to around 5 classes. Based on what you have already taken and what you want to study, here’s some suggested classes for this next semester. I have a 3 semester plan for you here from the Communication Department, showing what classes you will need to take for the next 3 semesters going forward.

STUDENTI’ve already taken some introductory courses; will that get me done sooner?

ADVISORIt can certainly help. Just remember that there may be opportunities that come up that you weren’t planning on that might take some time, but would be worth changing your schedule for, such as a study abroad trip, an internship, or an undergraduate research opportunity. I know I really benefitted from having some wiggle room in my schedule that allowed me to have an internship and an undergraduate research experience.

STUDENTWhy do I have to take so many classes that aren’t related to my major? When can I start studying what I want to?

ADVISORPart of a college education is taking courses from a variety of areas to help make you a better rounded person. However, the class that you take in that area will be different from other majors. An engineering student will have to take calculus as a math requirement, and communication majors need to take statistics, so they are both taking a general course, but I will help you match up the general courses that you take with your major.

STUDENTI guess that makes sense. When can I start going to my department instead of the University Advising Center?

ADVISORAt the UAC, we have some basic transition requirements for a student before they go to their major department, such as maintaining a good GPA and making progress on their degree. Based on what you have already done, it won’t take you very long, and I’ll be here to guide you through the process.

STUDENT

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Do I have to take 8:00 AM classes? I really hate waking up early, and I honestly don’t think I’d show up to them.

ADVISORIt’s good to have an idea of what will work for you. Lots of people feel the same way. The best way to avoid classes at times that you don’t want is to take care of advising and registration early. If you want a particular schedule or professor, plan accordingly. Here’s what we call our “Schedule Planner,” you can use it to block out times that you don’t want to take classes, as well as when you are working, so you can get the best schedule for you.

STUDENTDon’t some class times fill up quickly? Is there any way to guarantee getting the class that I want?

ADVISORYou can move up in priority registration by joining the Honors College, and register for classes on the first day they are available.

STUDENTWon’t that be really hard? Is that like taking all AP courses?

ADVISOR No, it’s not so much that there is more content, but the courses are smaller and can go more in-depth. It’s great for students who are motivated and really love to learn. Based on what I already know about you, I think you would make a great fit!

STUDENTWon’t that make me too busy to do other things on campus? It seems like something just for STEM majors.

ADVISORWhile there are a lot of STEM majors, there are majors from all across the university, and many also hold leadership positions on campus and in the community, and they often do volunteer work together as a group. It’s also a great way to make friends.

STUDENTOkay, how do I get in? Do I need to apply?

ADVISORYes, there is an application process. You need an SAT score of combined Reading and Math of 1200, an ACT score of 27, or be in the upper 10% of your high school graduating class if you are entering right away as a freshmen. For students who are already enrolled at UTA, you need to have a 3.35 and can get in that way if you do not meet the entering freshmen requirements. There is also an essay and a resume that you need to submit. If you’d like to learn more, you can talk to the Honors advisors right next door and they will also be at orientation.

STUDENT

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Okay, that sounds good. I heard that there’s a freshman class that meets once a week. Do I really need to take that? What’s the point since I’ve already taken dual credit classes?

ADVISOREven though you have taken a college class before, being a college student full-time is different. I’m really excited that you are getting to take this class, because I wish that this was available when I was a freshman. It’s a way to get you used to the culture and expectations of college. You’ll discuss study skills, hear guest speakers from departments on campus like the Career Development Center, go on field trips on campus, and attend games and events on campus. I’m one of the instructors for the class, and it’s a highlight of my week! You’ll also meet other students in a smaller class setting, which can make it easier to find friends. It’s an easy way to learn about the campus and what it means to be a Maverick!

STUDENTOkay, that sounds good. Do I need to live on campus?

ADVISORYou are not required to, but if you do decide to live on campus, you’ll have a lot of great opportunities to meet people, have an easier time getting to class, and make some great memories.

STUDENTOkay, can you help me with finding a room?

ADVISORThat’s not something that I do in this office, but I can give you the information that you need so that you can talk with the staff in the Apartment and Residence Life office. They are very helpful, and do their best to match you with a roommate that you will have a lot in common with.

STUDENT Okay, that sounds fine. How easy is it to get across campus? Will I be able to get between classes

on time?

ADVISORThe campus is pretty compact, it only takes about 10 minutes at the most to get between classes. You can also use a bike; we have lots of bike racks for that. There is also the campus shuttle that runs about every 15 minutes if you are going a bit farther.

STUDENTThat sounds good. How about the gym and places to eat? Are those easy to get into?

ADVISORYes, we have the Maverick Activities Center, which is available for all students—there are lots of machines, courts, and sports clubs to keep you busy, along with our indoor and outdoor pools. You can take a shower there as well if you want, so you’ll be all set for your next activity. The University Center has a dining hall, and a food court plaza with different restaurants. We also

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have coffee shops and restaurants at other spots on campus—there are lots of places to eat!STUDENT

Okay, that sounds good.

ADVISORDo you have any other questions? If you do, I can help you find out where to get the answer. Our office is here as a resource for you.

STUDENTI don’t have any more questions right now, but I really appreciate your help—I feel like I have a much better idea of what to expect. Thank you, I really feel more prepared!

ADVISORMy pleasure! We’re all here to help you. Welcome to Maverick country!

Cut to shots of STUDENT across campus