• develop plans for a major
  • match personal strengths and interests with opportunities in the University curriculum
  • understand and complete requirements
  • avoid or overcome administrative problems
  • develop a sense of purpose in their undergraduate education

UW Advising Offices

College and Department Advising

UAA Advising

Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity (OMA&D) Academic Counseling Services

University Honors Program Advising

Student-Athlete Academic Services (SAAS)

UW Bothell Advising

UW Tacoma Advising

Other Student Services

Student Guide

Resources for Advisers

Undergraduate Academic Advising Council

Information for Academic Advisers

Adviser Information File
If you have declared a major or know which department you are interested in, this is a good place to start.
UAA Advising is a good place for students who are undecided about their major or have questions about pre-professional programs (pre-med, pre-law, etc.) They also offer specialized workshops on how to choose a major and for transfer students interested in attending UW-Seattle.
OMA&D Academic Counseling Services promotes academic success & graduation for underrepresented ethnic minority, economically disadvantaged, and first generation college students at the UW through a comprehensive academic support program of services (EOP, TRiO SSS, and CAMP). Students associated with OMA&D Academic Counseling Services should also work directly with their departmental advisers.
Students who are in or would like more information about the University Honors Program should visit this office. Honors students should also work directly with their departmental advisers.
SAAS offers advising services for athletes, including study skills, academic counseling, tutorial services, and mentoring. Athletes should also be in contact with their department advisers in their major.
A comprehensive reference for UW students, including information on finances, student life, career planning, and university policies.
Who is my adviser?
Photo of students

The answer depends on your student status. Which one of these statements best applies to you?

UAA Advising offers comprehensive advising services for students investigating and preparing for majors. The advisers in the UAA Advising can help you match your interests with the many opportunities available at the UW.

If you are, or would like to be, associated with the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), TRiO Student Support Services (SSS), or College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), you can visit Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity Academic Counseling Services. Their adviser/counselors offer comprehensive advising as well as assistance with financial, housing, and personal issues.

If you have specific majors in mind, you will want to meet the college or department advisers for those majors. If you are interested in engineering, you should meet with an adviser in Engineering Student Academic Services.

Once you have declared a major, you will meet primarily with your college or department adviser to plan your program, stay connected with your academic community, get help when encountering difficulties, and prepare for graduation.

If you are associated with Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity Academic Counseling Services, enrolled in the University Honors Program, and/or if you are a student-athlete, you should continue to work with your adviser in these respective offices in addition to your major adviser.

There are advisers in UAA Advising who specialize in advising students planning to apply to professional programs such as law school, medical school, dental school, and pharmacy programs. Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity Academic Counseling Services also has advisers with expertise in preprofessional advising.

Your college or department adviser will also be an important resource in your planning for a professional program.

Your Advising and Orientation date is when you will have your first opportunity to meet with an adviser. Visit the First-Year Programs web site for more information.

Transfer students admitted directly to a major may be contacted by the college or department advising office with information on connecting with the program adviser.

If you are interested in entering the UW as a freshman, you should contact the counselors in UW Admissions.

Prospective transfer students are encouraged to attend a Transfer Thursday. Each Thursday afternoon, prospective transfer students can come to campus to find out about the admission process, academic areas of study, and other topics such as financial aid and housing. In addition, a number of UW majors and preprofessional programs offer information sessions on Thursday afternoons.

College and department advising offices also welcome inquiries from prospective transfer students.