New Student Advising is your first step in shaping your academic experience at Dickinson. It is designed to help you begin your academic development journey and choose courses that fit your emerging intellectual interests, goals and curiosity—whether you know exactly what you want to study or are still exploring options.
Students begin their Dickinson journeys in many different places. Some already have a major in mind. Others want to explore widely before deciding. Many fall somewhere in between. All of these starting points are expected and normal—and all are supported and encouraged.
Advising is about focused exploration
New Student Advising is a guided conversation with a Dickinson advising professional. The goal is to help you make your Dickinson experience your own by maximizing options and make thoughtful, informed choices for your first semester.
Before your advising session, you’ll spend time reflecting on:
- What interests you academically (and why?)
- What you’re curious to explore (and why?)
- What questions you have about courses, majors, or requirements
During your advising session, you’ll talk through these ideas and receive guidance on creating a course schedule that is flexible and customized for you.
Your first semester schedule
Your first semester will include:
- A First-Year Seminar, which is the foundation of your schedule
- Three additional courses chosen based on your interests and priorities
Depending on your interests and priorities, sometimes it makes sense to begin to study a foreign language or lab science during your first semester. Your advisor will help you think through these choices and explain what helps you maximize possibilities.
There are many paths your Dickinson experience can take. Each class you take your first year will help move you towards graduation, and you can adjust your choices later if your interests change.
Exploration is encouraged
Dickinson’s liberal arts curriculum is built to support both breadth and depth. Your first semester is a time to explore, ask questions, and begin discovering what excites you intellectually.
You will have opportunities to:
- Try subjects you’ve never studied before
- Begin coursework in areas you already enjoy
- Refine or change direction as you learn more about yourself and the curriculum
Discovering what isn’t the right fit is just as valuable as discovering what is.
Support every step of the way
You will not navigate this process alone. Dickinson provides:
- Clear preparation guides and checklists
- One-on-one advising sessions
- Tools to help you search for and request courses
- Advisors who are available if questions come up before or after your session
Students who engage thoughtfully with New Student Advising arrive on campus with full schedules and confidence in their choices.
New Student Advising and your first year
New Student Advising is about more than choosing classes—it’s about beginning to understand how you learn, what motivates you, and how to take ownership of your education.
This process helps you start your academic journey with clarity, flexibility, and support as you begin to make Dickinson yours.
