Florida Atlantic University Parent Guide
Freshman Advising at FAU
Freshmen Academic Advising Services’ provides academic advising to entering first time in college students and currently enrolled students with less than 30 earned college credits. Academic advising is a partnership where both the student and the advisor come together to develop an academic action plan aimed at meeting curriculum requirements that will ultimately lead to the fulfillment of a student’s career goals.
Advising for the First Semester
New, first time freshmen are advised electronically using OARS, FAU’s freshman Online Advising Resource System. OARS is a self-directed, course advising tool that allows students to identify courses in which to enroll their first semester prior to attending Orientation. Students receive notice, via their FAU email, when they can access OARS to begin the advising process. Use the OARS Online Advising Resource to get started.
Upon logging into OARS, students are able to view a video with audio that provides step-by-step instructions on how to select the courses they would like approved. Students must complete and submit their proposed courses for an academic advisor’s review and approval. Advisor approval will come in the form of an email, generally, within three business days. Students should log back into OARS to view their approved courses and can register for courses in MyFAU after receiving their advisor’s approval. Completing OARS does not exempt students from attending the university’s mandatory orientation program.
Advising for the Second Semester
A freshman advising, “UN” hold, will prevent students from registering for future classes until they have met with an academic advisor. Students should make note of the calendar date for advance registration, and schedule an appointment with their advisor well in advance of the date. This advising appointment will be one-on-one, and offers students the opportunity to create an academic plan for multiple semesters, and to discuss and/or seek a host of student support services. Students can schedule an appointment by going to Freshman Advising and clicking on the “make an appointment with an advisor” icon on the bulletin board. Students are further encouraged to consult their advisor throughout the semester, if they are experiencing academic difficulty, have been placed on Freshman Warning or Probation or have any problems/concerns they want to discuss.
