Welcome to CAS Undeclared Advising!
As an undeclared student at Boston University, you have yet to decide on a major to pursue – and that’s great! Whether you are deciding between two majors or you do not know what you’d like to study, an undeclared academic advisor will assist you throughout the process. If you are in your first year, this advisor will also help you through your transition to college. Please see our First-Year Advising page for more information on this advising role.
Your undeclared academic advisor will:
- Provide an individualized advising experience
- Identify your interests, skills, and goals
- Understand the value of a liberal arts degree
- Explore academic and co-curricular opportunities
- Plan and register for courses to explore potential majors
- Build long term plans that integrate potential majors, the Hub, and other degree requirements
- Connect with other offices and support systems on campus
Activities and tools to explore interests
- Would I like this major?: This activity involves you reviewing a list of all BU undergraduate majors following the steps your advisor shares with you. You then use the Would I Like This Major? document to determine if you’d enjoy the courses for the major(s).
- Strong Interest Inventory: This assessment measures potential majors, leisure interests, and careers. You will rank your interests which will help explore potential interests in various areas. If you want to take the Inventory, ask your advisor!
- Values Assessment: This assessment allows you to identify and determine your values. Values are guiding, foundational principles that can greatly influence potential majors and careers. You can ask your advisor about doing this assessment and they will then debrief what you find.
- Skills Assessment: Similar to the Values Assessment, the Skills Assessment identifies and determines skills you are confident in, what you may want to develop and those you may not enjoy using. Your advisor will walk you through how your skills can relate to potential majors and interests. Be sure to ask them if this is an assessment you are interested in utilizing.
- What if? Tool on Degree Advice: All students have access to the What if? tool through Degree Advice. This tool allows you to consider what your requirements and degree progress would be should you be a certain major or minor. Additionally, you could enter a potential course you are considering to see how it could contribute toward your degree. This is just a brief snapshot, however, so be sure to discuss your plans and what you consider with your advisor. Watch a tutorial video here!
Undeclared programming and resources
Undeclared First-Year Seminar: FY 101 (offered Fall only, 1 non-academic credit)
FY101 – CAS Advising offers undeclared sections of FY 101, a one-credit, one-semester course that aims to introduce first-year students to the BU community. If you choose to register for an undeclared section of FY 101, you will have the opportunity to connect with other students who are also exploring their major options. As a class you will explore the various programs across BU, as well as gain insight about your interests, strengths, and values.
First-Year Career Development Seminar: FY 102 (offered Spring only, 1 credit)
FY102 – This course will help undeclared students explore various career fields of interest. During this course, undeclared students will have the opportunity to attend professional development seminars that include guest speakers from different industries. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to create a resume, write a cover letter, and explore experiential learning opportunities (e.g., internships, research, leadership opportunities).
Programming & Experiences
For First-Year Students:
- The First-Year Experience Program consists of intentional programs developed for first-year students to assist them with developing identity, values, wellness, explore academic opportunities outside of the classroom and allow students to get involved in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities on campus. These events will be accessible through the First Year Experience website.
- Assistant Directors (ADs) for First-Year Success can provide academic skills coaching and help you connect on campus. They also host programming like the Lunch & Learn Series where first-year students have lunch with faculty in their area of academic interest and learn more about the research and teaching being done on campus. Find out more on the First-Year Success Team’s website.
- Find Your Best Self is a workshop that is a part of the First Year Experience Rewards Program. This workshop will help you explore your values, skills, and interests and then connect them to possible academic paths and career options. Each session is run by Undeclared Academic Advisors.
For all Undeclared Students:
- The Major Fair is an annual event that brings together all CAS academic departments in the same space. CAS students can better understand their options for declaring a major, changing their major, or adding a major or minor by speaking with faculty, staff and student representatives from all academic disciplines.
- SPLASH is BU’s annual student group recruitment fair. Browse over 400 student groups on campus, speak to their representatives, and find your place in the BU community!
- Explore the Possibilities Experts from around campus will be there to introduce you to the programs, resources, and other opportunities that can enhance your experience at BU. If you are curious about exploring a major or area of interest, learning a new language, landing an internship, adding a minor, or studying abroad, this event will help you think about your options.
Meet the undeclared advising team
Want to meet with an Undeclared advisor? Check us out on Handshake! If you’re already Undeclared, you can utilize CAS: Undeclared Advising. If you’re Undeclared in your heart, but not on paper, that’s great! First-year students can utilize CAS: First-Year Advising and sophomores can utilize CAS: General Advising.