Academic Advising Schedule
This is an overview of all academic advising events during Orientation Week. Additional information can be found in other documents in this folder, online on the New Students website, and in the Vassar App. These are all core events!
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
General Academic Advising 9:45 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Chapel
The Registrar and the Dean of First-Year Students will give an overview of the week’s academic events and advising schedule. They will review essential information for all students to complete the registration process. This includes strategies for creating a course schedule that meets the goals of a liberal arts education and explores the breadth of Vassar’s curriculum. Bring your Orientation folder to this meeting.
Group Meeting with Pre-Major Advisor 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Various Locations
Make your way to your pre-major advisor’s office and arrive by 2:00 pm. In your Orientation folder, you will find a letter from the Dean of First-Year Students identifying who your pre-major advisor is and where to find them. At this meeting, your advisor will give you your preliminary fall schedule (the results of your summer pre-registration) and answer any questions you may have about the registration process. Your advisor will also offer advice about selecting the additional courses you need to complete your schedule. Your advisor may also discuss some important aspects of academic life at Vassar, including the transition from high school to college; expectations for class attendance, laboratories, and the submission of written work; examination policies; and academic integrity. If you need help finding your advisor’s office, ask your Student Fellow for directions or stop by the Dean of First-Year Students' Office (Main North, Room 128).
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Faculty Research Presentations 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Various Locations
This is your opportunity to learn more about your professors, experience the breadth of a liberal arts education, and explore subjects you have never studied before. Vassar’s faculty members will be presenting informal talks on their current research. The event will have three 45-minute sessions starting at 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00, each with a diverse range of presentations. See the Faculty Research Presentations flyer in this folder for more information.
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Advising Information Sessions 9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Various Locations
Representatives from relevant departments and programs will give a lecture-style overview of respective academic and career paths. Refer to the Advising Information Sessions flyer in this folder for more details.
Departmental Drop-In Advising and Placement 9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Various Locations
Representatives from all academic departments and programs will be available for individual drop-in consultations. If you are not sure which math or language course is right for you, or if you received a 4 or a 5 on an AP exam (or equivalent IB or A-level examination) and want to take an intermediate-level course, or if you are interested in a special permission (SP) course such as music lessons, this is the time to get the information and/or permissions you need. Be sure to bring your registration form with you.
Locations are listed in the documents titled Academic Department and Program Office Locations for Departmental Drop-In Advising and Foreign Language Placement: Drop-In Advising and/or Placement Exams.
Individual Meetings with Pre-Major Advisors 12:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Check your Pre-Major Advisor letter forthe location and exact timeof your appointment
Various Locations
Now that you have had time to think about your course choices and seek advice on placement, you will have another meeting with your advisor. During this meeting, you will discuss your schedule in detail and make any necessary adjustments by adding or dropping courses. If you want to take any intermediate or advanced courses that were not included in the summer pre-registration, you can add them now. Keep in mind that some of the classes you choose may already be full, so discuss plenty of alternative options with your advisor and include them on your registration form. It’s important to note that your advisor must sign your pink registration form at the end of your meeting to confirm that you have consulted with them. Do not leave your advisor’s office until they have signed your form. Without a completed and signed form, you won’t be able to register for classes on Friday.
Friday, August 29, 2025
Course Registration 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
The time for your registration is printed on your pink registration form
College Center Multi-Purpose Room
All new students must visit the College Center Multi-Purpose Room (2nd floor) to finalize their fall semester schedules with a representative from the Office of the Registrar. Students register at specific times based on the number of units for which they were pre-registered and on a random draw number. Don’t forget to bring your registration form, signed by your advisor, with you!
Advising Information Sessions
Thursday, August 28, 2025
9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Study Abroad 101: What You Need to Know Now! Language Preparation, Application Process, and More
9:00 a.m.–9:55 a.m.
Rocky 200
Faculty from language departments and programs will give an overview of the benefits of language study and its value to a well-rounded liberal arts education. The Director of International Programs will introduce study abroad opportunities around the world, which are available through Vassar programs in Madrid, Bologna, and Paris, or other approved programs in Europe, South America, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
Pre-Health
10:05 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Rocky 300
Members of the Pre-Med Advisory Committee and the Pre-Health Advisor will provide an overview of the requirements for preparing to apply to medical and other health professions schools. After this meeting, students can begin revising their fall course selections in preparation for their advisor meetings.
Pre-Law
11:05 a.m.–11:35 a.m.
Rocky 300
Join Vassar’s pre-law advisors to learn what it means to be “pre-law” at Vassar, what you can do now to make yourself a great law school candidate, and how to take advantage of campus resources to help you succeed! Admission to law school remains competitive, and early preparation can make all the difference. Hosted by the pre-law advisor in Career Education, Nick Migliorino, and faculty pre-law advisor Taneisha Means (Political Science).
Pre-Engineering
11:05 a.m.–11:35 a.m.
Rocky 310
The Dual-Degree Engineering Academic Advisor and Casey Trocino, Assistant Dean of Studies, will give an overview of the preparation requirements to apply for the Vassar-Dartmouth dual-degree engineering program. After this meeting, students can begin revising their fall course selections in preparation for their advisor meetings.
Education Certificate
10:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Maria Mitchell Observatory, Room 212 (Dome Room)
Education Department faculty will give a short presentation about the requirements for becoming certified to teach at the elementary and secondary levels and answer any questions about the process.
Choral/Voice Lessons
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Martel Recital Hall, Skinner Hall of Music
All students interested in singing in the choirs (Women’s Chorus, Mixed Chorus, Chamber Singers) or auditioning for voice lessons should attend one of these sessions. There will be a short presentation followed by Q&A.
Art and Architecture
11:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Taylor Hall, Room 102
All students currently pre-registered for Art 105, wishing to enroll, or just curious about Architecture and Art History at Vassar, are invited to attend.
Dance and Vassar Repertory Dance Theatre
11:15 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Sanders Classroom, 013
Faculty members will give an overview of Dance courses, participation in Vassar Repertory Dance Theatre, VRDT audition information, and Dance correlate offerings.
English Department AP and General Information
12:00 p.m.–12:30 p.m.
Sanders Classroom Auditorium
Wendy Graham, department Chair, will explain policies and procedures for advanced course placement in English and provide a general introduction to the Department. Students wishing to take a 200-level English course in their first year should attend this meeting. Students with questions about the department or the major are also encouraged to attend.
Academic Department and Program Office Locations for Departmental Drop-in Advising and Placement
Thursday, August 28, 2025
9:00 am – 12:00 p.m. (10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in the Bridge for Laboratory Science)
| Department | Location for Advising | Room | Extension |
|---|---|---|---|
| Africana Studies | Old Laundry Building | OLB 308 | Ext 7490 |
| American Studies | Skinner Hall | SH 107 and SH 205 | Ext 7319 |
| Anthropology | Blodgett Hall | BH 310 | Ext 5295 |
| Arabic | Chicago Hall | CH 301A and B | Ext. 5625 |
| Art | Taylor Hall | T 222 | Ext 5220 |
| Asian Studies | Rockefeller Hall | RH 405 | Ext 7617 |
| Athletics and Physical Education | Athletic and Fitness Center | AFC | Ext 7450 |
| Biology | Bridge for LaboratoryScience | BLS Atrium | Ext 7441 |
| Biochemistry | Bridge for Laboratory Science | BLS Atrium | Ext 5730 |
| Chemistry | Bridge for LaboratoryScience | BLS Atrium | Ext 5730 |
| Chinese | Sanders Classroom | SC 322 or 008 | Ext 7630 |
| Cognitive Science | New England Building (9am-10am) Bridge for LaboratoryScience (10am-12pm) | NE 104BLS Atrium | Ext 7368 |
| Community-Engaged Learning | Main Building North | N 126 | Ext 5280 |
| Computer Science | Bridge for LaboratoryScience | BLS Atrium | Ext 5985 |
| Dance | Kenyon Facilities | KH 115 | Ext 7470 |
| Drama | Vogelstein Center for Drama and Film | VCDF 315 | Ext 5473 |
| Earth Science and Geography | Bridge for Laboratory Science | BLS Atrium | Ext 5540 |
| Economics | Blodgett Hall | BH 130 | Ext 7395 |
| Education | Old Observatory | OB 212 | Ext 7360 |
| English | Sanders ClassroomAuditorium(info session 12-12:30pm) | 2nd Floor | Ext 5950 |
| Environmental Studies | Bridge for Laboratory Science | BLS Atrium | Ext 5430 |
| Film | Vogelstein Center for Drama and Film | VCDF 313 | Ext 5588 |
| French & FrancophoneStudies | Chicago Hall | CH 102 | Ext 5720 |
| German | Chicago Hall | CH131 | Ext 5618 |
| Global Nineteenth-CenturyStudies | Chicago Hall | CH 133 | Ext. 5687 |
| Greek and Roman Studies | Sanders Classroom | SC 123 | Ext 7610 |
| Hebrew | Blodgett Hall | BH 104 | Ext 5517 |
| Hispanic Studies | Chicago Hall | CH LL 102 Lounge | Ext 5610 |
| History | Swift Hall | SW 303 | Ext 5674 |
| Independent Program | New England Building | NE 201 | Ext. 7381 |
| International Studies | Old Laundry Building | OLB 312 | Ext 7140 |
| Italian | Chicago Hall | CH 128 | Ext 5610 |
| Japanese | Sanders Classroom | SC 321 | Ext 7501 |
| Jewish Studies | Blodgett Hall | BH 208 | Ext 5520 |
| Korean | Sanders Classroom | SC 304 | Ext 5658 |
| Latin American and LatinxStudies | Old Laundry Building | OLB 318 | Ext 7142 |
| Mathematics and Statistics | Rockefeller Hall ANDBridge for Laboratory Science | RH 305 /BLS Atrium | Ext 5525 |
| Media Studies | Chicago Hall | CH 136 | Ext 5620 |
| Medieval and Renaissance Studies | Swift Hall | SW 306 | Ext 5678 |
| Music | Skinner Hall | SH 107, SH 205 | Ext 7319 |
| Neuroscience &Behavior | Bridge for Laboratory Science | BLS Atrium | Ext 7366 |
| Philosophy | Rockefeller Hall | RH 209 | Ext 5530 |
| Physics/Astronomy | Sanders PhysicsBridge for Laboratory Science | SP 101.1BLS Atrium | Ext 7075 |
| Political Science | Rockefeller Hall | RH 109 | Ext 5560 |
| Psychological Science | Bridge for Laboratory Science | BLS Atrium | Ext 7366 |
| Religion | Blodgett Hall | BH 200 | Ext 5520 |
| Russian | Chicago Hall | CH 120 | Ext 5610 |
| Science, Technology & Society | Sanders Physics | SP 101.3 | Ext 5750 |
| Self-Instructional LanguageProgram | Chicago Hall | CH 131 | Ext 5618 |
| Sociology | Blodgett Hall | BH 300D | Ext 5510 |
| Urban Studies | Old Laundry Building | OLB 210/211 | Ext 7495 |
| Women, Feminist, and QueerStudies | Old Laundry Building | OLB 311B | Ext 7561 |
Foreign Language Placement for Departmental Drop-in Advising and Placement Exams
Thursday, August 28, 2025
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
| Language | Location | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Arabic | Chicago Hall 103 | Mootacem Mhiri momhiri@vassar.edu |
| Chinese | Sanders Classroom 008 | Haoming Liu haliu@vassar.edu |
| French | Chicago Hall 102 | AnneBrancky anbrancky@vassar.edu |
| German | Chicago Hall 131 | Silke vonder Emde vonderemde@vassar.edu |
| Greek/Latin | Sanders Classroom 118 | Curtis Dozier cudozier@vassar.edu |
| Hebrew | Blodgett Hall 105 | Agnes Veto agveto@vassar.edu |
| Italian | Chicago Hall 128 | SimonaBondavalli sibondavalli@vassar.edu |
| Japanese | Sanders Classroom 321 | Hiromi Dollase hidollase@vassar.edu |
| Korean | Sanders Classroom 304 | Jihye Seong jseong@vassar.edu |
| Russian | Chicago Hall 118 | Nikolai Firtich nifirtich@vassar.edu |
| Spanish | Chicago Hall LL 102 | Eva Woods Peiró evwoods@vassar.edu |
| SILP (Intermed. ASL, Hindi,Irish, Swahili, Swedish) | Chicago Hall 131 | Silke von der Emdevonderemde@vassar.edu |
Foreign Language Proficiency Exams
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
| Language | Time | Location | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arabic | 1:30 pm-3:00 p.m. | Chicago Hall 103 | Mootacem Mhiri momhiri@vassar.edu |
| Chinese | 1:30 pm-3:00 p.m. | Sanders Classroom 322 | Haoming Liu haliu@vassar.edu |
| French | 5:30 p.m. | Library, Room 160 (Electronic Classroom) | Kathleen Hart kahart@vassar.edu |
| German | 4:00 p.m. | Chicago Hall 134 | Silke vonder Emde vonderemde@vassar.edu |
| Hebrew | 5:30 p.m. | Blodgett Hall 105 | Agnes Veto agveto@vassar.edu |
| Italian | 3:00 p.m. | Chicago Hall 128 | Simona Bondavalli sibondavalli@vassar.edu |
| Japanese | 4:30 p.m. | Sanders Classroom 321 | Hiromi Dollase hidollase@vassar.edu |
| Korean | 12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m. | Sanders Classroom 304 | Jihye Seong jseong@vassar.edu |
| Russian | 12:00 pm-1:15 p.m. | Chicago Hall 118 | Nikolai Firtich nfirtich@vassar.edu |
| Spanish | 5:30 p.m. | Online (Moodle) | Eva Woods Peiró evwoods@vassar.edu |
| SILP; Languages not offered atVassar | Contact Silkevon der Emde vonderemde@vassar.edu |
Please contact the department if you have questions about the proficiency exams.