USC Advisor Question

Colleges & Universities University of Southern California
1

<p>I have come to these forums to ask about the experience of other students/parents when it comes to the academic advisors that each student has. The reason for this is that I have run into a strange situation and I am wondering what to do. I am an incoming freshman this fall, and when I went to orientation early in June, I saw that some of the math classes that are required of my major I had taken at my high school. </p>

<p>Now, I have already tested into Math 226 due to AP scores, and I realize that is the highest possible without college credit. I began talking with my academic advisor explaining how my similar high school classes were taught by previous university professors, and that the entire program at my school is at a college level. Basically, I am trying to waive some more math courses. With help from my high school, and previous documents that I had, I sent a long e-mail to my advisor explaining the courses that I thought covered some of the math I would have to take, with curriculum information, text book, teacher background and their e-mail in case my advisor wanted to contact them to get more information. I also included the e-mail of the person at my high school who helps build the curriculum and sets the standards for the school. I believe I had provided sufficient information, and told my advisor that she could contact me by phone or e-mail if she needed any further information. This was all provided by the end of June.</p>

<p>Up until the middle of July she had kept in touch with me saying that my case is currently being reviewed. The last e-mail I received from her said my case was being reviewed by the Articulation Office. However, after e-mailing the Articulation Office I was informed that they were not responsible for my case due to the fact that I it is not college credit or AP scores, and that it was up to my major department and advisor to decide if they could waive any courses. </p>

<p>I have been trying to get in contact with her for the past month almost, through e-mail and calling her office constantly. I don’t know what is going on, as I have not received any updates from her, and the secretary states that she is in the office and free, but when I give my name, she says she is busy. Can someone give me advice on what to do? Should I try contacting someone else?</p>

2

<p>i’m not a big fan of the advisor i’ve had to deal with. you should contact the head person of your major.</p>

3

<p>Sounds like it’s an exceptionally unusual situation, which is why there’s so much confusion.</p>

<p>The advisor probably thought that you were requesting college credit for the classes, which is the responsibility of the articulation office. </p>

<p>But, the articulation office is right that they’re not the ones responsible. There’s zero chance of college credit if you do not have the courses on a college transcript, so there’s nothing that they can do.</p>

<p>In case you haven’t done so, what you need to do is make sure that it’s clear to your advisor that you’re not requesting college credit for these courses. What you want is a waiver of math 226 in your degree requirement (or, a waiver of math 226 as a prereq to another course, which would then substitute for math 226 in your requirements)</p>

<p>If you can’t get through to your advisor, you can try contacting the math department. But it’s really your advisor who should be helping you.</p>

<p>If you’d like you can PM me the advisor/dept, and if I’ve dealt with them before, I can give you some advice :)</p>