Advising Assistance:
If you have a question, you can chat with Advising staff by clicking on the green “chat for help” button below. You may also send your question to advise@stolaf.edu.
To schedule a virtual advising appointment, click “Menu” above and then “Schedule an Advising Appointment.”
Advising at St. Olaf
Our mission is to provide assistance in exploring academic goals within the context of possible career and life-long pursuits. We support advisors as well as their advisees in providing the necessary information and skills to fulfill graduation, general education, and major requirements. Academic Advising also assists students in exploring possible major options, in changing advisors, in using a degree audit, class/lab schedule, and the St. Olaf Catalog for necessary information about fulfilling requirements.
Types of Advisors
Students generally will have at least two advisors during their time at St. Olaf
- College Advisor (typically first two years)
The College Advisor will be the first guide to a liberal arts education at St. Olaf. College Advisors will discuss students’ interests and goals, and assist with course registration. Because the role of the College Advisor is to advise broadly, College Advisors will come from all areas of the college and typically are not in a department in which students are considering a major.
- Major Advisor (typically junior and senior years)
Students transition to a faculty advisor within a declared major by the end of their sophomore year. Major Advisors continue the work of the College Advisors while also assisting advisees in selecting courses in the major and introducing students to opportunities in their field of study.
Students may switch to a different College Advisor or Major Advisor at any time during the academic year with the permission of the new advisor and after completing at least one semester at the college. Just click on the “Change Advisor” link below.
See more details regarding the St. Olaf advising model in the catalog (page down to “Advising”)