What to Expect From a Kennesaw State Advising Appointment

What happens at a Kennesaw State advising appointment

A Kennesaw State advising appointment is a one-on-one meeting with an academic advisor who knows your major, your progress toward graduation, and the rules that govern your degree. The advisor reviews your transcript, discusses which courses you need next, checks whether you meet prerequisites, and answers questions about degree requirements, course scheduling, and major-specific policies. Most appointments last 20 to 30 minutes.

Advisors at Kennesaw State work in two settings: in the colleges (by major) and in the general advising center for undeclared students. If you have declared a major, you will typically meet with an advisor in your college—the College of Science and Mathematics, the Coles College of Business, the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, or another college depending on your program. Undeclared students usually start with the University Advising Center.

The appointment is not a counseling session, though advisors can point you toward counseling services if you are struggling with mental health, substance use, or personal crises. It is also not a tutoring session. If you need help with a specific course, your advisor will direct you to the tutoring center or your professor's office hours instead.

Key Takeaways

• Bring your student ID, your degree audit (found in KSU's Banner system), and a list of questions about your major or course planning.
• Schedule your appointment through your college's advising office or the University Advising Center at least one week ahead; same-day or next-day slots are rare.
• Advisors can tell you which courses satisfy degree requirements, whether you have met prerequisites, and when courses are offered, but they cannot override grades or change your transcript.
• If you miss your appointment without canceling, you may lose your spot and have to wait longer for the next available time.
• Virtual appointments are available; ask when you schedule whether you prefer to meet in person or by Zoom.

How to schedule your Kennesaw State advising appointment

The way you schedule depends on your major. If you have declared a major, contact your college's advising office directly. Each college maintains its own advising center and scheduling system. You can find the phone number and email for your college's advising office on the Kennesaw State website under your college's name, or ask at the main advising desk if you are on campus.

If you are undeclared or exploring majors, go to the University Advising Center. You can schedule online through the KSU portal, by phone, or by walking in during open hours. The University Advising Center is located on the Kennesaw Campus and also serves students at the Marietta Campus by appointment.

Book your appointment at least one week in advance if possible. Advisors fill up quickly during peak times—the start of each semester, the week before registration opens, and the weeks just before graduation deadlines. If you need to meet sooner, call the advising office directly and ask whether a same-day or next-day slot is available; many offices hold a few spots for urgent questions.

What to bring and how to prepare

Bring your Kennesaw State student ID or your student number. Have your degree audit open on your phone or printed out. Your degree audit is the official record of which requirements you have completed and which remain; it lives in Banner, the student information system. Log in to your KSU portal, find the Degree Audit tool, and run a fresh audit before your appointment so your advisor is looking at current information.

Write down your questions ahead of time. Common questions include: "What courses do I need next semester?", "Does this course count toward my major?", "When is this required course offered?", "Can I take these two courses at the same time?", and "What happens if I change my major?" Having your questions ready means your advisor can answer them without hunting for information during the appointment.

If you are struggling in a course or considering dropping it, bring the course name and number. Your advisor can tell you how dropping affects your progress and whether you can retake it later. If you are thinking about changing majors, bring a list of majors you are considering so your advisor can explain how credits transfer between programs.

What advisors can and cannot do

Advisors can tell you which courses satisfy your degree requirements, explain prerequisite rules, help you plan your course schedule, discuss major-specific policies, and point you toward campus resources like tutoring, disability services, or counseling. They can also discuss graduation timelines, explain how changing majors affects your progress, and answer questions about double majors or minors.

Advisors cannot change your grades, remove a course from your transcript, override a prerequisite, or waive a degree requirement. If you need an exception to a rule—for example, if you want to take a course before you have completed the prerequisite—your advisor will tell you who can approve that exception, usually a department chair or college dean. Your advisor can also explain the process for appealing a grade if you believe it was assigned in error.

If you are dealing with a personal crisis, mental health concern, or substance use issue that is affecting your studies, your advisor will listen and connect you with counseling, crisis services, or student support. Advisors are trained to recognize when a student needs more help than course planning, and they know the campus resources available.

Virtual and in-person appointment options

Kennesaw State offers both in-person and virtual advising appointments. When you schedule, you can usually choose which format you prefer. Virtual appointments happen over Zoom and work well if you have questions about course planning, degree requirements, or scheduling. In-person appointments are helpful if you want to walk through your degree audit together on a screen or if you need to handle paperwork.

For virtual appointments, join the Zoom link a few minutes early and make sure your camera and microphone work. Have your degree audit and any documents you need open and ready. The meeting will work the same way as an in-person appointment—your advisor will review your progress, answer your questions, and send you notes or next steps by email afterward.

What happens after your appointment

Your advisor will usually send you a summary email within a day or two. This email typically includes the courses you discussed, any action items (like registering for a specific course or meeting with another office), and the advisor's contact information for follow-up questions. Keep this email; it is your record of what you discussed.

If your advisor recommended that you register for specific courses, do that during your registration window. Registration windows vary by class level and are posted on the KSU website. If you miss your window or have trouble registering, contact your advising office again—they can help troubleshoot or, in some cases, request an override.

If you have follow-up questions after your appointment, email your advisor or call the advising office. You do not need to schedule another full appointment for a quick question; many advisors answer brief questions by email or phone.

If you miss or need to reschedule

If you cannot make your appointment, cancel as soon as you know. Most advising offices ask for at least 24 hours' notice. You can usually cancel by phone, email, or through the online scheduling system. If you cancel with notice, you can reschedule right away. If you miss your appointment without canceling, you may lose your spot and have to wait for the next available opening, which can take a week or more during busy times.

Life happens—if you miss an appointment, contact your advising office the same day and explain. Many advisors will reschedule you quickly if you reach out promptly. If you are frequently running late or forgetting appointments, ask your advisor about scheduling a standing appointment at the same time each week or month; some offices offer this option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to meet with an advisor before I register for classes?

It is strongly recommended, especially if you are new to Kennesaw State or unsure which courses to take. Meeting with an advisor before registration helps you avoid taking the wrong course, missing a prerequisite, or falling behind on degree requirements. Some programs require an advising appointment before registration; check your college's website or ask your advisor.

What if my advisor and I disagree about which course I should take?

Your advisor's job is to explain requirements and help you plan, but you make the final decision about which courses to take. If you disagree with your advisor's recommendation, ask them to explain their reasoning. If you still want to take a different course, you can—just understand how it might affect your progress. You can also ask to speak with a different advisor or a department chair if you want a second opinion.

Can I change my major during an advising appointment?

Your advisor can explain how changing majors works and how your credits will transfer, but the actual change happens through a different process. You will fill out a major change form, usually through the registrar's office or your college. Your advisor can tell you exactly where to submit it and what happens next.

What if I have a disability or need accommodations?

Tell your advisor about any accommodations you need, and they will connect you with the Office of Disability Services. Disability Services will work with you to set up accommodations like extended test time, note-taking support, or course substitutions. Your advisor can also help you understand how accommodations affect your degree timeline.

How often should I meet with my advisor?

Most students meet with an advisor once per semester during registration planning. If you are changing majors, struggling academically, or have complex scheduling needs, you might meet more often. You can also reach out between semesters if a question comes up. There is no penalty for meeting with your advisor frequently.