<p>I received an e-mail from my new Cornell advisor a few days ago. He seemed like a really nice guy, and had obviously done his homework because he knew a lot of personal stuff about me and my interests.</p>
<p>So far so good right? Not exactly. I thought that I had put on my application when i applied that i wanted to be a bio major, and my second choice was plant sciences (which seemed like a good idea because i was getting a recommendation from a plant science professor at cornell whom i did research with this summer). However, I may have at the last minute switched the order of these two. I really don't have any intention of being a plant science major though, but i was told that it fit my academic record and would solidify my acceptance.</p>
<p>My advisor is a professor in the plant sciences, or botany or something. The courses he signed me up for are totally bogus, and I don't plan on taking any of them except the writing seminar. Two of them are into bio and calc, both of which i tested out of with AP 5's. He also signed me up for psychology, which I have no interest in, and a horitculture course. There's no way in HELL that i'm taking horticulture 101 first semester! I want to be a bio major, or perhaps even a major in AEM (I've had a growing interest in business lately). I feel bad telling him this though, because he seemed so excited to have a student seemingly intersted in his subject matter, and even suggested that I visit his private gardens at his house! He also put quite of bit of time into the e-mail, which was quite lengthy.</p>
<p>So, my questions are as follows: How easy would it be to change my courses to what I want to take this fall? Could I possibly change my advisor to a professor in a subject matter that I'm more interested in? How important is one's college advisor anyway, and are they needed for much? What should I do in my particular situation.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for hearing me out. I'm unsure as of now what exactly to do. Any and all responses would be appreciated, esp. from upper-classmen.</p>
<p>If you're a freshman, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Assignment of faculty advisors are random since you have no declared your biology concentration yet. I had a professor from plant science as well last year. Outside of the first week, I didn't see her once. I did talk a lot with my peer advisor though. I'm sure that you could change your faculty advisor if you want though.</p>
<p>If you're a transfer, you would want to get your advisor changed to a professor within your concentration.</p>
<p>Advisors are very important since bio majors must talk to their advisors before scheduling their classes in order to obtain the code that they need to lock in their schedules. In your freshman year, your peer advisor will be giving you your code while in later years, it will be your faculty advisor.</p>
<p>Actually it is not that random. Students are usually assigned a faculty advisor from the areas of their interest.
AJKates: Don't worry! My friend initially choose plant sciece as his major but then later he found out that he was allergic to plants, so he dropped all the plant science courses to which he was pre-enrolled. Plant science faculties are very nice. They would not prevent you from taking your desired courses.</p>
<p>If you are a bio major, you are going to get a professor of biology. However, you won't necessarily get one in your concentration of interest until you become a sophomore. That's what I meant by random.</p>
<p>I'm planning to major in History / possible Econ w/ my history concentrated in Africa and East Asia. I want to study abroad in South Korea and learn Chinese / Korean. Oddly, I got what I wanted. I got a Professor of East Asian Studies :D as my advisor!</p>
<p>I recieved my advisor's name in a mailing from the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences along with my peer advisor and special orientation meeting times.</p>
<p>Like do i have to take the classes they want me to take. I know that you need their approval and key before you register for classes, but what if you want to take a class they don't approve of? Is it possible to regisiter for the class anyway?</p>
<p>i hear that no you do not have to take they classes they suggest. They're your advisor, not your dictator after all. You can also switch them if you have incompatible personalities.</p>