Advising

Students in the Neuroscience program receive personalized advising. We work with students from orientation to graduation. Our mission is to work with students to create personalized educational plans that are compatible with their interests, career, and life goals. We follow the University’s Advising Philosophy and advising guidelines.

Sarah Bechtel
Academic Advisor
sarahbechtel@vt.edu

Mohammad Sabbagh
Academic Advising Support Assistant
sabbaghm@vt.edu

Schedule an appointment with Sarah
Schedule an appointment with Mohammad
If you need help scheduling an advising appointment, check instructions here.
If you need to CANCEL an advising appointment, check instructions here.

New Major Change Process

Changing of Major Dates

1. Students wishing to change their primary major to Neuroscience must apply through HokieSpa

2. Approval of major change will take place after meeting.

3. Students wishing to switch their major to neuroscience or add neuroscience as a secondary major, must complete the "Progress Towards Degree Contract" and submit this to Annie Laib or Sarah Bechtel.

Around course request time, we will only be able to accommodate Current Neuroscience Students. If you wish to change or add Neuroscience as a major, you can schedule an appointment before or after these dates. We will discuss the major requirements and your schedule for Fall.

 If you intend on adding Neuroscience as a second major, please complete and submit the Change of Major form and the Progress Towards Degree Contract form.

Around course request time, we will only be able to accommodate Current Neuroscience Students. If you wish to change or add Neuroscience as a major, you can schedule an appointment before or after these dates. We will discuss the major requirements and your schedule for Fall.

College of Science Forms

      including

  • Authorization to Take Courses Elsewhere_USA
  • COS - Change of Major
  • Course Withdrawal
  • Overhours
  • Undergraduate Research/Independent Study
  • and more...

Neuroscience Forms

Academic Relief Forms

The School of Neuroscience has a recommendation letter policy. Please refer to this document on how to request a recommendation letter.

Student Responsibility

Student shares the responsibility for developing an advising partnership with the advisor. Over time, the partnership results in increased responsibility for the student. The student will:

  • Communicating goals, needs, wants, and concerns to the advisor in a respectful and sincere manner;
  • Keeping abreast of their own academic progress and requirements related to their academic program;
  • Making, keeping, and being prepared for appointments with advisor;
  • Informing the advisor of changes in plans and/or circumstances that might impact academic performance;
  • Knowing departmental procedures for changing advisors; and
  • Bringing concerns regarding quality of advising to the attention of the advisor

Advisor Responsibility

The advisor shares the responsibility for developing an advising partnership with undergraduate students. This is achieved through the advisor:

  • Communicating with students and delivering individualized and accurate information in professional sincere manner;
  • Being informed of, and providing accurate information about current academic policies and procedures;
  • Keeping appointments and being available for assistance;
  • Providing appropriate referrals, contacts, and information;
  • Doing appropriate follow-up with students; and
  • Seeking out and taking advantage of opportunities for professional development