I've been a student at VCU for about 5 1/2 years now, and I always seem to have very bad academic advisers. In undergrad, the advisers were graduate students. I thought this was a horrible idea because the accountability for errors was not appropriate. Every time I visited the advising office, I met with a different person, and they were all telling me something different. When it was time for me to graduate, I went to the advising office to get some paperwork completed and a gentleman told me that I would not be able to walk in the Spring graduation because I needed three more classes. I thought I only needed one, which I was already planning on taking in summer school. However, the last two times I vistied the advising office, my transcripts were not reviewed properly, and the advisers overlooked the fact that I needed two extra classes. Can you imagine the rage that I was feeling at that time?
So, after talking to several people and explaining the whole situation, I got that taken care of. Now, I'm in grad school and experiencing some of the same issues, except this time around, I'm spending a few extra thousand dollars, so I expect even better service from VCU faculty and staff. However, that is not the case. I've been emailing my new adviser for months to set up an appointment to discuss graduation requirements and scheduling. She has not responded and I'm entering my second year of grad school. These are critical times!
I'm trying to communicate with her so I can avoid experiencing what I did in undergrad when it's time to walk. Lacking communication can cause major problems. I've learned recently that even though one party is trying to be proactive and communicate effectively, the other party must still meet them halfway in order for the efforts to be successful. Hopefully, everything will work out in my favor, and I will never have to stress about VCU again.
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4 comments:
My major at VCU is CS and my undergrad adviser is a CS teacher and has been the same adviser since I started 3-4 years ago.
That being said I know who to actually go to, to get good advice on my progress, which happens to be a lady in the academic advising area of Engineering.
The curriculum has remained fairly unchanged until recently. Then I had to go through the pain of looking for overrides and the person responsible for heading up the changes to the curriculum wouldn't give me an override into their class!!
While your experience is much worse than the similar experience I posted on my groups blog I can definitely commiserate with you.
My academic adviser is a professor who has been with me since I began. He has been extremely helpful and accurate. That being said, I know a lot of people who have been in your shoes. Sometimes you have to go beyond the email and either call or just show up. I once had a problem and addressed it directly with the Dean of the School of Arts & Humanities and, you know, it worked out for me. Sometimes letting the right person know what's going on and can a good result for you. Good luck.
I do agree with Elizabeth, sometimes it helps to take the extra step. Try calling your adviser or just show up at her office. It's always a good idea to try other available option. Good luck!
that can be frustrating when your advisors don't know about what you need to graduate. i am surprised that you had so many different advisors and none of them picked up that you needed extra classes. makes you think if they're really fit for this job. but hey you have to be vigilant about everything cuz it's your future and wouldn't hurt others if you get screwed. hopfully that won't happen.
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