By Devon Dickau

Dickau is the assistant director of Bruin Parents + Families. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from UCLA in 2007 with a B.A. in American Literature and Culture with College Honors.

Besides the typical adjustments to being away from home and making new friends, the transition to UCLA’s academic environment is for many students the greatest challenge. In addition to transitioning to varying class-sizes and the fast-paced quarter system, Bruins are granted an independence in finding an educational path that can often be a bit frightening. There is no typical formula for success; it is truly a personal journey.

It wasn’t long ago that I was a new Bruin navigating the UCLA terrain for the first time. I entered UCLA without a major and without a clear idea of how the University’s countless academic advisors and departments could assist me in my academic endeavors. Over the years, I found that while I had to take the initiative to seek out academic support, this guidance was a key to my success as a student.

Orientation and academic counseling: keys to navigating UCLA

At Orientation, students are paired with highly trained peer counselors who give them the necessities to begin an academic career at UCLA. Orientation Counselors can answer questions throughout your Bruin’s academic experience (especially the first year), but this is the only instance in which academic advising at UCLA will be so straightforward. And this is the point where the University terrain looks much different than it did in high school.

High school students are assigned a single academic advisor. UCLA students are not. Bruins must be proactive in finding fitting academic advice. UCLA recommends checking in with an academic advisor an average of once per quarter – but where to begin?

Those studying engineering, nursing or the arts (including the School of the Arts and Architecture and the School of Theater, Film and Television) are assigned an individual counselor or small group of counselors. These programs are more narrowly focused, and therefore require a narrower academic focus. Also, many of these departments require students to follow a specific set curriculum throughout their time at UCLA.

However, students who fall under the College of Letters and Science – which includes social sciences, humanities, and life and physical sciences — make up most of UCLA’s student population, and have a variety of academic advising options. Academic Advancement Program (AAP) students are assigned an advisor within AAP, Honors students within Honors Programs, and athletes within Athletics. An AAP and Honors student, for example, is given the option of seeking advice from either department. Students who do not fall under any of these categories will pursue guidance from the College Academic Counseling office.

Academics advisors within the College, Honors, Athletics and AAP academic advising units are trained in general academic advising and majors across the College, and therefore can be valuable resources for assistance with choosing areas of study. Deciding on a major (or two; or a minor) can be the most difficult decision a Bruin will make. The average UCLA student changes majors at least twice.

Counseling within an academic major: be proactive

Once your student does decide a major or majors to pursue, this opens an entirely new set of doors for academic advising. In addition to visiting the College or Honors counselor, for example, students should now visit departmental advisors for departmental-specific guidance. Visiting a departmental advisor as early as first year is beneficial for making sure the student is on track with pre-requisites or preparatory courses. Then, appointments with departmental counselors are especially useful in the last 2 years of an academic career so that students know they are on the right track.

Additionally, for the most general academic questions, there are undergraduate ASK Peer Counselors and graduate Counseling Assistants readily available throughout campus. Counseling Assistants are UCLA graduate students from a variety of disciplines specially trained to work with first- and second-year students. Click here for more information.

Many students are so overwhelmed by the lack of distinct guidance that they never visit a counselor until there is an issue that needs to be resolved. An academic check-in is like going for a check-up at the doctor; it is preventative care and can help your Bruin catch any problems early on. And it may even present opportunities (such as course suggestions, scholarship opportunities or graduate school advice), the student had not even expected.

The quarter system moves quickly. And by the time your student hits mid-quarter, it is already time to select courses for the next quarter. Academic advisors are invaluable in partnering with students to make the most of their careers at UCLA.

Finding the best fit for academic advice

Early on, students should strive to find the advising unit or advisor that is the best fit for them. Often, students find an individual who they particularly identify with and Bruins do have the option of requesting a specific advisor if they wish. Developing a personal relationship with an academic counselor will make the institution of UCLA seem that much smaller. It is important to note that while academic advising units do have unique areas of expertise, students should go first where they feel most comfortable. If a counselor doesn’t have the answer, they will gladly refer your Bruin to someone who does.

There are many keys to success at UCLA. But, from personal experience, I can tell you that a student’s success is directly affected by the initiative your Bruin takes in seeking academic guidance.

- Bruinlink -

For information on UCLA’s Academic Advising units, visit these Web sites:

• Academic Advancement Program (AAP)
• College Academic Counseling (CAC)
• Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science
• Honors Programs
• School of the Arts and Architecture
• School of Nursing
• School of Theater Film and Television
• Student Athletics

For departmental advising information, visit the department’s Web site.