Academic Advising & Support

Your advising process begins at McDaniel Local the summer before you arrive on campus for your first semester. Prior to registering for your fall classes, you'll have an opportunity to meet one-on-one with a professional staff member for your first advising session. In addition to learning more about you, you'll also have a chance to discuss your course preferences before you register. It's just one way we make sure your McDaniel journey begins on the right foot.

First-year students are advised by their First Year Seminar professor until a major is declared. First-Year Seminars are designed to develop a variety of skills including writing, speaking, critical thinking, and the ability to discuss and debate with others who think differently than you do. You'll walk away with lifelong friends, a close relationship with a faculty mentor, and the skills you need to be successful in future coursework. 

In this 2-credit course completed in the first year, students will identify their strengths, life goals, and areas for personal improvement, and learn how the liberal arts can help them identify and achieve their vocation. Upon completion of the My Design course, you'll be ready to complete Your Design, a personalized action plan that sets the stage for the rest of your time on the Hill that begins with declaring a major.

Once a student declares a major(s), they are paired with a faculty advisor within the department of their major(s). Your academic advisor will support you throughout your career at McDaniel to ensure college completion and professional preparation.  Advisors will help you to chart a path toward graduation so you can Finish in Four.