NACADA required information not part of the presentation

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NACADA required information not part of the
presentation

• Presenter Ray Sepeta, Ph.D.
• Institution University of Notre Dame
• Title Advising First Year Science Majors
  According to Socrates
• Code 174
• 2007 NACADA Annual Conference
• Email sepeta_at_nd.edu
• Address 223 Coleman Morse, Notre Dame, IN 46556

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Advising First Year Science Majors According to
Socrates

• Ray Sepeta, Ph.D.
• First Year of Studies
• University of Notre Dame

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University of Notre Dame

• Founded 1842
• 8,600 undergraduates
• Residential campus
• 5 Colleges and a School of Architecture
• First Year of Studies a College

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First Year of Studies

• More than 40 years in existence
• Common curriculum for all students
• 1985 first year students
• 13 advisors faculty status
• 175 students per advisor
• All first year students are exploring

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Core Curriculum

• Writing Course
• Math Course
• Science Course
• University Requirement (Gen Ed)
• Elective or Intended Program Requirement

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Easy to change majors and we keep students when
they change
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Incoming Statistics for ND Class of 2011

• 80 from top 5 of high school class
• SAT 50 between 1330 1480
• ACT 50 between 31 33
• 25 above this

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Good students need advising too.
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Socratic method n.A pedagogical technique in
which a teacher does not give information
directly but instead asks a series of questions,
with the result that the student comes either to
the desired knowledge by answering the questions
or to a deeper awareness of the limits of
knowledge.American Heritage Dictionary
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Through dialogue I try to help my students pick
majors.
Its a dialogue that may last all year.
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I want my students to pick majors they truly like.
- majors that excite them

• majors that showcase
• their talents

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First year students are high school students in
transition to college students

• We have a peer advisor program to help with this
  transition
• Meetings with peer advisors cause the students to
  reflect on their plans

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The advising process begins in the summer when
we receive the student folders and the students
send in their selection of courses
A Socratic dialogue may begin at this point. We
often question students choices and we may call
or email them for a discussion.
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First Year Academic Guide

• Subset of the University Catalog
• Straightforward and easy to read
• We keep it accurate and current

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We officially meet the students on Orientation
Weekend.
In a session with all my students I explain how
the First Year of Studies works.
I ask about their expectations.
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In the first week I start meeting with students
and asking questions
Where are you from?
What will you study?
What inspires you?
What worries you?
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Athletes

• 2 football players
• 8 women rowers
• I ask what their goals are.

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In these early meetings I want my students to
reflect on their answers
The students are not ready to accept my
suggestions or to take risks.
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Students must be tested and they must struggle
before they know their passions
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I praise them for trying hard at Notre Dame.
Praise Often
I praise my students for what they did well in
high school.
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The advising sessions become more serious after
the first round of tests
I ask my students, Were you not bright and
clever when you arrived on campus?
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I remind students how exciting science is
I ask them about breaking science stories.
I ask them about the important science research
projects at Notre Dame.
I ask them about our graduates who have done big
things in science.
I ask them what science magazines they read.
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Talk to a science professor

• You can ask a science professor questions about
  his or her course.
• You can ask a science professor what major to
  follow.
• You can ask a science professor to write a
  recommendation for you.

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Why join a research group?

• I ask students if they want a research career
• I ask students if they want to learn the culture
  and language of a particular science discipline
• I ask students if they want to improve their
  chances for medical school and graduate school

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Many science majors are planning for medical
school

• I ask, What are the best majors for medical
  school?
• I ask, What the requirements for medical
  school?
• I ask, What are medical schools looking for?

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Early November is the deadline for dropping
courses
I ask,Have you given serious thought to your
decision to drop?
I ask, Will you want to leave your program?
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In November the students are juggling academics
with planning their spring schedules. My
advising meetings are busy as we deal with both
these concerns.
Also many of the students have colds.
Now is when students stop thinking they can do
everything.
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Upside-Down Time

• Strengths dont seem so strong
• Weaknesses may seem like strengths
• My students like subjects they didnt like
• My students dont like subjects they did like
• My students are confused

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Students want to leave science programs as final
exams approach because theyre frightened.
I ask them not to make important decisions until
they return for the spring semester
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In the second semester students are beginning to
trust me.
Now I can truly ask, What are your passions?
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Probation Students

• Special attention
• I ask these students to attend regular meetings
  with me
• I ask these students to join help sessions
• I ask these students how serious they are about
  their majors

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In February and March the colleges and
departments do programs to inform students
about majors they offer.
We have good luck waiting until this time for
these programs.
We dont depend much on the Career Center to
help first year students pick programs.
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In spring I can see the maturity and development
in my students.
Their time management is better and they are
quick to get help if they need it.
They are starting to find their passions.
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How are we doing?

• 98 retention rate for first year students
• 80 acceptance rate into medical school
• 94 graduation rate in four years

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Conclusion

• The Socratic method causes students to reflect on
  their own unique situations.
• The Socratic method causes students to think
  about their passions.
• The Socratic method is slow and requires
  patience.
• The Socratic method is well worth the effort.

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Testimonials
When I was your advisee I was a
biochemistry major. I did it because I was good
at science and at my high school all the smart
kids were pushed towards science. I took the
career assessments which told me I should be an
English major which was not an entire surprise as
Ive always loved to read and always dreamed of
being a writer. I have loved being an English
major.
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Thanks to Dr. Sue Aufderheideof Purdue
University for her support and encouragement on
this talk.