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Freshman Advising

Our Advising Philosophy: Discover Before You Declare

At Roanoke, all new students begin as Undeclared (UNDC), even if they already have an interest in a major. We encourage students to explore courses, meet faculty, and try new fields before declaring. Most students wait until the spring semester of the first year or during the sophomore year to officially declare a major.

Why start UNDC? College is a chance to discover your strengths and goals. Starting UNDC keeps your options open while you complete foundational courses that count toward many majors.

Bottom line: You are not expected or encouraged to declare your major in your first semester. Your advisor will help you plan a path that keeps multiple options open.

Get Credit for AP & Dual Enrollment (Submit Your Transcripts)

If you took AP exams or dual enrollment (college courses in high school), you may receive Roanoke credit, but we must receive your official scores/transcripts.

AP Credit (College Board):

  • Log in to your College Board account.
  • Send your official AP score report to Roanoke College.

Dual Enrollment / College Courses:

  • Request an official college transcript directly from the institution that awarded the credit (not your high school).
  • Have it sent electronically (preferred) or by mail to Roanoke College.

Why this matters: Official credit on file ensures you don’t repeat content and helps you register for the right next-level courses. The accuracy of your schedule may be affected if you submit your transcripts after June for fall start or after January for spring start. 

How to Create Your First Schedule

All new students are onboarded through Student Engagement.  You will receive email messages that connect you to your Student Success Team (New Student Mentor + Academic Advisor) through your Personalized Profile.  Feel free to communicate with your Advisor or New Student Mentor with any questions. 

  • Starting May 18th, complete the Advising Form to help us understand your academic background and interests. This form is due June 5th. You will receive a text message with a link to complete the Advising Form once it’s available.
  • Watch Your Roanoke Email. After you submit the form, your advisor will contact you (starting the week of June 8th) through your Roanoke email with instructions on how to schedule your virtual advising meeting. These meetings will take place through Microsoft Teams.
  • Schedule Your Virtual Advising Meeting. We will begin meeting with students the week of June 15th. Appointment slots fill quickly, so please check your email regularly and sign up as soon as you receive the scheduling link.
    If you do not schedule an advising appointment by June 26th, we will create your Fall schedule for you based on the information you provided in your Advising Form. While we’re happy to build a schedule either way, meeting with your advisor gives you the chance to shape your semester more intentionally.