Individualized majors and those students exploring the possibility of an individualized major can turn to three different sources for advice:

Peer Advisors

Peer advisors are often the first to meet with prospective students. Peer advisors can familiarize exploring students with the application process and provide an inside perspective on the pleasures and challenges of designing your own major. Click here for more information on peer advisors and advising hours.

IISP Academic Advisor and Director

Individualized Major Program staff guide students through the practicalities of admission to the program and assist students to follow their plans through to graduation. Program staff will explain program expectations, ensure that plans of study include all the required elements, help students identify faculty with expertise in their area of interest, and make specific suggestions for revisions to their statement of purpose. We also guide students as they select courses for their plans of studies. Once admitted to the program, IMJR students will turn to Program staff for advice on many practical matters such as registration, internship, and study abroad. They will also consult with staff about any changes they wish to make in their plan of study. Click here for more information on IISP staff and advising hours.

Faculty Advisors

Faculty advisors are expert guides to the fields that individualized majors include in their plans of study. Students are encouraged to seek the advice of faculty in the subject areas in their plans of study early in the planning process. Faculty can help students choose the most appropriate courses and serve as mentors as students explore options for graduate school and their future professional lives.

All students applying to the Individualized Major Program must have three faculty advisors with expertise in the fields represented in their plan of study. Primary advisors must be from the college (CLAS or CANR) from which the student plans to graduate and must be tenured or tenure-track faculty. Second and third advisors may be from other schools and colleges and may be adjunct faculty if they will be at UConn as long as the student.

Students must seek their primary advisor’s approval when they wish to make changes in their plan of study. Secondary advisors may be asked for their approval if the proposed changes in the plan of study are in their field.

Click here for helpful hints for identifying faculty advisors and making the most of the advisor-student relationship

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