Advising Overview & Flow Chart

Academic planning covers a wide range of topics, including choosing a major, registering for classes, and defining career goals. While the ultimate decision rests with you, the student, the Penn Engineering undergraduate advising system is designed to support and guide you while making these important choices.

Penn Engineering undergraduates have many advising resources available to them. The following list outlines the primary resources and how they are differentiated.

You can also review our Quick Access Flow Chart on Who Should I Go To?

Orientation Peer Advisors (OPAs): 

All incoming first-year students are assigned an OPA in the summer prior to their first semester at Penn. OPAs are Engineering upperclassmen who are trained to mentor incoming students and assist with course selection and general questions.

Faculty Advisor:

Every student with a declared major has an assigned faculty advisor. Assignments are distributed around the first day of classes. The faculty advisor is the best source for information about “big picture topics,” such as electives within the major, research opportunities, and options for graduate study. Your faculty advisor’s name and email address can be found in Path@Penn.

Students must meet with their faculty advisor every semester during advance registration to discuss their academic plan for the upcoming semester.

Undergraduate Coordinator:

The Undergraduate Coordinator, usually located in the department office, is familiar with the specific requirements for the major, and has a detailed understanding of how the system at Penn works. They can also advise students on second major and minor options offered by the department. The Undergraduate Coordinators also perform the graduation audits. Undergraduate Coordinators for each department are listed on the Penn Engineering undergraduate website.

Undergraduate Curriculum Chair:

The faculty Undergraduate Chair oversees the curriculum and is an excellent source of information about choosing a major. Undergraduate Curriculum Chairs for each department are listed on the Penn Engineering undergraduate website.

Office of Academic Services (OAS) Advisors:

The advisors in 109 Towne are the ones to take questions about dual degrees, transferring, deviations from degree requirements, study abroad, and other school-level issues. They also advise curriculum-deferred students. This office oversees school-level policy & procedures, academic performance & student progress. Walk-in advising and more information can be found on the Penn Engineering undergraduate website.

Career Services:

Penn’s Career Services advisors can help with matters related to professional development such as internship searches, resume best practices and interviewing tips. They have advisors who specialize in Engineering as well as Pre-Professional and Pre-Graduate advisors.

Accelerated Masters:

Students with questions about the Accelerated Master’s degree program can meet with a Graduate Administrator or a Graduate OAS Advisor (Drop-In Advising | grad-affairs@seas.upenn.edu).