Advising Seniors
Seniors are eager to hear advice on making the most of their last year of college. Seniors are also exploring ways to connect previous academic experiences (research, study abroad, internships, etc.) with senior academic work, including senior seminars and capstone experiences. Please encourage your seniors to consider presenting their best work at Skidmore’s Academic Festival as well as at professional meetings. The Office of Academic Advising provides Student Opportunity Funds to support student projects and travel to professional meetings to present research and creative work.
Keeping Abreast of Graduation Requirements
Continue to review the degree audit with your advisee in order to assure that he or she graduates on time. Your assistance in this process is important, although it is the student’s responsibility to be certain he or she is meeting all degree requirements. Special areas of concern include the following:
- 120 credits required for graduation
- liberal arts requirement:
- for the B.A. at least 90 hours of liberal arts credit
- for the B.S. at least 60 hours of liberal arts credit
- declaration and fulfillment of all requirements for a major
- minimal cumulative GPA of 2.000 in the major and overall cumulative GPA of 2.000
- 24 hours of maturity-level (300-level) credit overall, including at least 12 hours taken during the senior year, at least 6 hours of which must be in the major (for double majors, 6 hours must be completed in each major)
Study Abroad/Study Away
Encourage your senior advisees who have returned from a spring semester or full-year abroad to carry their international experience into course selections and into their cocurricular life. In some cases, a student who has not previously studied abroad may wish to pursue off-campus study now. Carefully consider how such a plan could support work in the major and link to post-baccalaureate goals.
Internships
An internship provides a good vehicle for some seniors to explore connections between the Skidmore classroom and the world at large. In today’s job market, the internship, whether or not it is taken for credit, can also be the gateway to employment.
Career Development Center
The Career Development Center is an excellent campus resource for career exploration, internship opportunities, resume preparation, graduate school, and other options. Encourage your senior advisees to visit this office early in the senior year. Additional information can be found on page 30.
Capstone Experiences
A number of departments require capstone experiences for honors-level students, but many other students do not experience the challenges and rewards of a substantial, culminating project. We recommend that advisors discuss capstone possibilities with advisees, especially with those who have not thought about the option.
Departmental and Program Honors
Departmental and Program Honors refers to the honors awarded in the major at graduation.
Students need to begin thinking about honors in the major as they plan their senior
year. Specific information is available in the Catalog for each major.