It's tempting to treat your first advising appointment as a formality — something to get through so you can register for classes. But that first conversation often sets the direction for your entire program.
A good advisor doesn't just approve your course picks; they help you sequence classes correctly, flag prerequisites you might miss, and catch scheduling conflicts before they turn into an extra semester.
Come prepared with questions: What electives actually count toward your specialization? Is there a faster path if you already have transfer credits? What does a realistic full-time vs. part-time timeline look like for your situation?
The fifteen extra minutes it takes to ask these questions upfront can save you a full term down the road.
