Academic Advising FAQ

Upon entrance to Paul College, students are assigned to an Academic Advisor who will work with them until graduation. During your first year, you will also have a Peer Advisor through FIRE.

Your academic advisor is your personal guide to success. They help you set and achieve your academic and career goals, offer expert advice on course selection, majors, and minors, and assist you in understanding university policies and resources. Advisors are here to support you in developing effective academic strategies, keeping you on track for graduation, and making the most of your time at UNH.

Meeting with your Academic Advisor

We're here to help you succeed! Consider our office a "one-stop-shop" for all your academic needs. If there's something we can't help you with, we'll connect you with another individual, office, or organization that can.

An academic advisor plays a crucial role in your educational journey by serving as:

  • Personal Guide to Academic Success: Offering personalized support and advice to help you achieve your academic goals.
  • Goal Setter and Strategist: Assisting you in setting and strategizing your short-term and long-term academic and career objectives.
  • Major and Minor Consultant: Helping you select and understand the requirements for your major and minor.
  • Policy Interpreter: Clarifying university policies and how they apply to your specific situation.
  • Course Planner: Aiding in the selection and registration of courses that align with your academic plan and degree requirements.
  • Resource Navigator: Connecting you with campus resources and support services.
  • Graduation Facilitator: Ensuring you meet all the requirements for graduation and helping you stay on track to complete your degree.

An academic advisor is dedicated to helping you navigate your educational path, overcome challenges, and achieve your full potential.

There are a few different places you can check to see who your assigned advisor is.  All three options are listed below and are outlined here as well.  

  • Log into myWildcat Success
    • On the bottom right-hand side, you'll see your advisor's name listed under ‘Your Success Team’
  • Log into WebCat 
    • Select the "Student Records" tab and then choose "View Major and Advisor" from the menu
  • Log into WebCat

To ensure you receive the guidance you need, we offer two convenient options for meeting with an Advisor:

  • Advising Office Hours in PAUL 201: Our office hours provide designated times during the Fall and Spring Semesters when you can drop by to get assistance from an Advisor.

    • First Three Weeks of the Semester:

      • Monday- Friday: 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
      • Focus: Registration changes and quick questions.
      • Availability: You can meet with your assigned Advisor or any available Advisor.

    • After the First Three Weeks:

      • Wednesday: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
      • Thursday: 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
      • Focus: These sessions are perfect for addressing last-minute questions, discovering campus resources, or obtaining detailed program information.
      • Availability: You can meet with any available Advisor

  • Scheduled Appointments : You can schedule a 15- or 30-minute meeting with your assigned Advisor to get the personalized support you need. These appointments are ideal for:

    • Creating an Academic Plan
    • Exploring your Goals & Interests
    • Discussing Academic Support Resources
    • To schedule an appointment with an Advisor, log into myWildcat Success via myUSNH . 

Both Peer Advisors and Professional Advisors are committed to helping students succeed, each bringing their unique perspectives and expertise to the advising relationship.

Peer Advisors

Peer Advisors are experienced students who assist first-year students by:

  • Acting as Instructors: Leading PAUL 405 and PAUL 406 courses to help new students acclimate to college life.
  • Serving as Role Models: Providing a relatable example of successful student behavior and engagement.
  • Answering Questions: Helping with inquiries related to university and Paul College systems and processes.
  • Guiding Course Selection and Registration: Offering advice on selecting and registering for courses, drawing from their own experiences.

Online Academic Platforms

Webcat is a key resource for students for registration, accessing Degree Works, changing your major/declaring an option, and much more!

MyWildcat Success is your go-to platform for scheduling meetings with your Advisor, viewing appointment notes, reviewing early alerts from instructors , and so much more!

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When can I start in on my major and/or option courses?

In Paul College, regardless of major, students start in on required major coursework right away.  First-year students in all degree programs chip away at major courses from the start.  Classes like ECON 401, PHIL 431, and MATH 422/424A are all requirements within Paul and courses first year students take.

Students typically start taking option level courses (like Management, Information Systems & Business Analytics, Finance, etc.) during their junior year once all pre-requisistes are completed.  

In some cases, Paul College requirements also count as UNH Discovery requirements meaning, students are satisfying two requirements with one course! 

What's contained under the Business Administration umbrella (i.e., can I major in Marketing or Finance)?

Students often ask if they can major in a specific area of business, like Marketing or Finance.  The way the Business Administration degree is structured is such that under the business umbrella, students choose an option (or concentration) to focus on.  All Business Administration students need to elect one option (with the maximum being two).

For students wanting to major in Accounting, for example, their degree program (major) would be Business Administration with an option in Accounting.  

Options within Business Administration:

    How do I change my major, declare my option, and/or add a second major or option?

    You can perform all of these changes in WebCat!

    Note: all students need to declare their major and/or option by February 15th of their sophomore year.  You'll receive reminders about this declaration deadline from the Advising & Programs Office.  

    For a detailed walk-though of this process,  visit Declaring a Major.

    What's the difference between Analytical Economics (B.S.) and the B.A. in Economics?

    You can learn more about the program requirements for each Economics degree below:

    "The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Analytical Economics differs from the Bachelor of Arts (B.A) in Economics in that it requires more quantitative and data analysis courses, but does not require a foreign language. It emphasizes the predictive and prescriptive modeling skills that are in high demand in today's labor market. Prescriptive modeling is quantitative and strategic decision analysis geared toward corporate decisions. Predictive modeling emphasizes data analysis skills used to develop the information needed to make these decisions."

    "Bachelor of Arts in Economics is designed to offer students the maximum flexibility in tailoring a program of study and provides a powerful platform for launching careers in almost all walks of life. Students are encouraged to take a wide variety of courses, double major, and take advantage of study abroad programs."

      Minors within Paul College (click on the minors below to see their course requirements):

      How do I declare a minor?

      • You can declare a minor at UNH once you have completed or are enrolled in your final coursework.
      • To officially declare the minor, you will need to complete the Minor Form and obtain all appropriate signatures.
      • Once the form is completed you can bring it or email it to the Registrar’s Office for processing.

      When do I need to petition something & why?

      Our office asks students to submit petitions whenever an exception to a policy or procedure is being made.  In some cases, a petition is needed as part of a process.

      In some instances, having the support of a faculty member is required.

      Some of the most common reasons students need to petition are:

      • Asking to lift academic actions
      • Wanting to register for 20 credits without the requisite GPA
      • Dropping or adding a course past the deadline

      Whenever you submit a petition, the more information you include, the better.  Because you're asking for an exception to be made, there need to be compelling and non-academic reasons for the request.

      If you need help with the process are unsure of whether or not you need to petition something, ask your advisor!  They're happy to assist and can provide insight into what to include in your petition. 

      What's the process and do I need to make an appointment?

      The short answer is: yes!  But, read through the steps outlined below first:

      • The first step in the study abroad process is to attend an information session held by the UNH Global Office.
      • After you attend an information session, create your UNH-Via profile
      • Once you complete those first two steps (information session and creating a Via profile), make an appointment with your Paul College advisor.
        • It's recommended that you schedule an appointment with a Paul College advisor at least one year prior to studying abroad.
        • Your advisor can discuss coursework you can complete abroad as well as show you how your semesters at UNH will look when you return.
        • Note: it's recommended students make a "study abroad" advising appointment as walk-ins aren't a good time to chat about study abroad and what it entails.
      • Meet with UNH Global.  Paul College has a designated study abroad liaison who holds walk-in hours and can meet with you for a scheduled appointment!

      How can I find a job or internship?

      • Career and Professional Success (CaPS) works with employers who post job and internship opportunities on HandShake
      • There's a ton of valuable information on Paul College's CaPS page and if you need help with anything career related
      • You can make an appointment with a career counselor in HandShake as well!

      What is BIP?

      BIP stands for Paul College's Business In Practice Program: an experiential learning opportunity centered around giving students the skills to be successful in today’s business environment.

      Learn more about the BIP program

      How do I know if I'm required to complete BIP courses as part of my degree?

      • All Business Administration and Hotel & Hospitality students need to complete BIP courses as part of their core curriculum
        • Business Administration students need to satisfy all four BIP intelligence categories:
          • Social (PAUL 660)
          • Analytical (PAUL 670)
          • Competitive (PAUL 680)
          • Professional (PAUL 690)
            • These requirements are listed in Degree Works so you can track your progress
        • Hotel & Hospitality students need to complete three BIP courses in order to graduate: 
          • Professional (PAUL 690)
            • Note: there is a specially designated PAUL 690 for Hotel & Hospitality students
          • Two additional BIP courses (students can elect which they want to take)
            • These requirements are listed in Degree Works so you can track your progress
      • Economics students do NOT need to complete BIP courses in order to graduate

      I'm part of a club, organization, and/or co-curricular opportunity, will that count toward my BIP requirements?

      • If you have questions about this, please reach out to your academic advisor for more information
      • You can also use the guide

      I'm currently a student at UNH, how can I transfer into Paul?

      • Thanks for your interest in Paul College! We have a competitive application process for the Analytical Economics and Business Administration majors in Paul College.
      • If you are interested in the B.A. Economics major, you will need to meet certain criteria before you are eligible to declare. 
        Process and Criteria

      I'm not currently a Paul College student, can I speak with an advisor?

      • You sure can!  We host walk-in hours during the week that are open to all students.

      learn more about inter-college transfer process.