May 12: Summer Advising, Course Selection, and Academic Support

Dear parents and families of incoming students,

This week, we’re focusing on summer advising, course selection, and ensuring your student is technologically ready for the start of classes.

Action Item Tracker

Health Forms & Applications
Due July 1
Remind your student to check their Secure Messages in the Deacon Health Portal to ensure they don’t have messages related to their submission.

Set Up Authorized Payer Access
Students should do this by June 5
Strongly recommended for tuition notifications.

Featured Topic: Summer Advising and Academics

New students will engage with summer advising resources shared by the Office of Academic Advising (OAA) throughout the summer. Families can assist their students indirectly by considering the following:

• Patience on Majors: It is perfectly fine if your student does not have a major in mind yet! Students will not declare their major until the spring of their sophomore year, allowing ample time to sample courses and discover new interests.
• Best Practices for Academics: We strongly encourage families to allow students to make their own academic choices without family input.
  • Foster Independence: Making their own decisions helps students develop essential critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Encourage Aptitude and Open-mindedness: It’s normal for a student’s first semester to include classes that support natural aptitudes and require new ways of thinking and learning. Students should prepare to be flexible and open to taking all sorts of classes — unexpected courses often unlock hidden passions!
  • Remind Students to Direct Questions to the OAA: If your student has an academic question that has not been answered on the Summer Advising website, please encourage your student to contact OAA directly.

Technology and Communication

• Required Laptop: Your student must have a laptop. Review the WakeWare official program (which includes a four-year on-campus warranty) or the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) requirements now, and make sure your student’s laptop needs are covered before move-in.
  • Note: Remind your student to check the Financial Aid Portal; some students qualify for a technology grant to cover the cost of a standard WakeWare model.
• Virtual Info Session & In-Person Receptions: Sign up to attend our Virtual Info Session on June 23 (7-8:30 p.m. EST). Registrations for in-person receptions will be added frequently; check the New Student Receptions website for up to date info.
• Subscribe to the Daily Deac: Our opt-in blog provides timely news, advice, deadline reminders, and a look at campus life throughout the year. Families (and interested students!) can subscribe here.

You’ll hear from me again next Tuesday. Until then, please be in touch if you have questions or if I can assist your family.

Betsy Chapman, Ph.D. (’92, MA ’94)
Executive Director of Family Communications