Former Rutgers Student Reports Delays, Conflicting Guidance in Academic Advising
Read Time:1 Minute, 49 Second
A former student at Rutgers University says delays and inconsistent guidance within the university’s academic advising system complicated her course planning during her final semester, highlighting the role advising plays during time-sensitive registration periods.
The student, who completed her degree in December of 2025 with a major in cognitive science and a minor in theater, said she encountered challenges scheduling appointments and clarifying degree requirements while working with both general academic advisors and a department-specific advisor.
“It wasn’t as helpful as I wanted it to be. It didn’t always feel like I was getting the right information,” the former student said. “Almost 50% of the issues would be resolved and that I would constantly have to schedule additional appointments.”
Academic advising helps students plan coursework, understand graduation requirements and navigate academic policies. At large universities, students often consult both centralized advising offices and departmental advisors depending on their major or program.
According to the former student, securing appointments during registration periods took longer than expected: “Three weeks for a meeting with a general academic advisor and close to a week for a cognitive science counselor,” she explained.
She also shared that those delays made it more difficult to finalize course selections before deadlines, particularly when she needed clarification about how certain classes would apply toward her degree.
The student also described discrepancies between her advisors, “They would offer conflicting information about capstone courses, even when I knew taking those classes would move my degree requirements forward.”
Because she was completing both a major and a minor, she said she navigated multiple advising channels and sometimes needed to confirm information independently. She said she reviewed degree requirements on her own and consulted professors when questions arose about course eligibility.
The former student ultimately completed her program requirements but said resolving advising questions often required multiple appointments. Her experience illustrates how advising processes can affect students’ academic planning, particularly when deadlines are approaching.
Academic advising remains a central resource for students as they prepare course schedules and track progress toward graduation. Experiences can vary depending on program requirements, advising structures and the timing of registration cycles.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0
