Academic advising is key to a successful undergraduate experience. Stanford offers a wealth of intellectual opportunities, both in and outside the classroom. The Office of Undergraduate Advising and Research (UAR) helps you take full advantage of all that is available as you create your own unique path through your undergraduate career.
UAR advisors work directly with you in one-on-one interactions to help you develop your scholarly interests before and after you declare a major, overcome obstacles to your academic success, immerse yourself in your chosen field, engage with faculty, take advantage of academic opportunities and resources outside of your major department, and, for some students, to prepare for post-baccalaureate study.
No one path is right or recommended. An advisor’s role is to challenge you to stretch your mind and question your assumptions. They help provide a compass for you, not a roadmap, and encourage you to take intellectual risks. They can also help you create relationships with faculty and staff mentors who can support you as you pursue opportunities.
It is in your best interest to seek advising early and often from many different sources. Even the most common academic concern can relate to your deepest aspirations. This is why the relationships you form with multiple mentors - Pre-Major Advisors, Academic Advising Directors, and other UAR advisors in the Athletic Academic Resources Center (AARC) and Sweet Hall - are an essential element of your undergraduate experience.
