Part 1: University Academic Advising Center Background

Established in 1999
The University Academic Advising Center (UAAC), which is under the auspices of the Provost’s Office and independent of any of the six Northwestern undergraduate schools, was established in the fall of 1999 as the result of one of several initiatives to improve academic advising for undergraduate students.

For the first time, with the opening of the University Academic Advising Center, undergraduates were able to consult staff at a central academic advising center to get answers to their questions about interschool transfers, dual degree and double major requirements, and general advising concerns, and to find information about the various majors, minors and academic program requirements for all six undergraduate schools on campus.

Premedical and prehealth professions advising added in the Fall of 2001
The large number of Northwestern students from the six schools at Northwestern who were interested in the health professions warranted a centralized location and advising resource. In the fall of 2001, the responsibility for premedical/health professions advising was transferred from the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences to the University Academic Advising Center.

In addition to premedical/prehealth advising, the University Academic Advising Center provides a recommendation service for Northwestern students applying to health professions schools.

Part 2: Mission

The mission of the University Academic Advising Center is to assist students in the development of meaningful educational plans that are compatible with their life goals. Using an intentional approach to academic advising based on sound theories and knowledge of counseling and teaching, the center staff will provide information about institutional requirements, policies, procedures, resources, and programs.

The center will provide assistance to students in refining goals and objectives, understanding available choices, and assessing the consequences of alternative courses of action, while reinforcing the philosophy that the ultimate responsibility for making decisions about educational plans and life goals rests with the individual student.

Consistent with the Academic Advising Standards and Guidelines
of NACADA, the National Academic Advising Association

Part 3: Purpose

The University Academic Advising Center offers academic counsel, advice and information to undergraduates with special emphasis on issues that cross school boundaries. The center provides premedical and prehealth advising, assists students to consider the possibility of transferring between Northwestern's six undergraduate schools, to explore double majors and dual degrees in multiple schools, to select a program of study that best fits their needs and interests, and to resolve other academic issues that transcend the individual schools.

Part 4: Some Reasons to Visit the University Academic Advising Center:

You are an undergraduate student and you …

• have questions about medical school requirements or requirements for other health professions
• want information about medical school admission strategies
• are thinking of switching from one Northwestern school to another
• are undecided about your major or not sure you want to continue in it
• are uncertain about how to apply for an interschool transfer
• need help choosing a major or minor or course selection
• have decided medical school is not for you after all and need help in planning out the next few years
• want to find out more about double majoring between schools
• are considering double majoring and studying abroad and want to finish in four years
• are not sure who to contact about a specific major or academic program
• are considering a certificate program or minor
• are interested in information on study skills -- time management, test-taking and note-taking strategies

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