Advising
Advising at Virginia Tech is a collaborative process between student and advisor leading to the exchange of information that encourages the individual student to make responsible academic and career decisions.
As a math major, your academic advisor is a faculty member who can discuss details of course and career advice throughout your undergraduate career.
Course Drop vs. Course Withdrawal
If you are considering whether to drop or withdraw from a course, discuss the decision with your academic advisor.
- Dropping a course will remove the course from your class schedule and your transcript. It will reduce your total number of credits for the term. NOTE: 12 credits are required for full-time student status in fall and spring terms. This can be important for scholarships, financial aid, health insurance, student visa requirements, etc.
- The deadline to drop a Fall 2023 course is Tuesday, October 3. It is highly recommended to discuss the decision to drop a course with your advisor.
- Students can drop a course through the HokieSpa drop/add menu.
- Requesting a course withdrawal (W grade policy) will denote a final grade of "W" on your transcript for each course in which a Course Withdrawal is applied. No credit is earned for a course with a W grade, and a W grade does not factor into GPA. Withdrawing from a course will not change full-time student status, as the course(s) withdrawn from will remain on your transcript (though no credit is earned). Students are permitted to withdraw from up to three courses during their time at Virginia Tech.
- The deadline to apply for a course withdrawal for a Fall 2023 course is Wednesday, December 6. An advisor's signature is not required, but it is highly recommended to discuss a course withdrawal decision with your advisor.
- To apply for a course withdrawal, complete the Course Withdrawal form posted on the College of Science Forms page.
Spring 2024 Drop/Add (now open!)
PRO TIP: Check your pre-registration requirements prior to November 24 to be sure you're able to access drop/add when it opens!
REMEMBER:
- No Guarantees - You were not guaranteed all your classes or specific sections through Course Request.
- Live - Drop/Add is a live system. Monitor the system for an open seat in the course of your choice.
- Be Flexible - You may also have to rearrange your schedule to get the courses you need.
- Check Building Locations - Make sure you can get between back-to-back classes in time.
Change of Major/Minor/Degree Option
Students can change their math degree option anytime.
- Download the College of Science Change of Second Major/Minor/Option Form from the College of Science Forms Page.
- Complete the first section with your student information. Complete the Request to Add or Drop an Option In the College of Science section by selecting the degree option you would like to add and the degree option you would like to drop. You will see "BS, MATH:" followed by the name of the degree option.
- Sign and Date the bottom of the form (digital, typed signature is fine).
- Upload the form to Jessica Hurdus's Document Portal. After it is uploaded, a departmental signature will be included and the form will be submited to the College of Science on your behalf.
Students can change their major to mathematics during VT's common change of major periods. The next change of major period is December 11, 2023 - January 5, 2024. Note: Students in their first semester at VT must wait until final grades post (December 18) before requesting to change their primary major to math.
Students who want to change their primary major to math can apply through Hokie Spa. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
Students can add math as a second major during any of VT's common change of major periods. The next change of major period is December 11, 2023 - January 5, 2024. NOTE: Students in their first semester at VT must wait until final grades post (December 18) before requesting to add math as a second major.
- Download the College of Science Change of Second Major/Minor/Option Form
- Complete the first section with your student information. Complete the Request to Add or Drop A Second Major section by choosing "BS, MATH:" followed by the degree option you are choosing in the add secondary major dropdown menu.
- Sign and date the bottom of the form (digital, typed signature is fine).
- Upload the form to Jessica Hurdus's Document Portal. After it is uploaded, a departmental signature will be included and the form will be submited to the College of Science on your behalf.
Students can add or drop a math minor anytime. No appointment is necessary.
- DOWNLOAD the College of Science Change of Second Major/Minor/Option Form
- COMPLETE the first section with your student information. Complete the Request to Add or Drop a Minor section and choose MATH from the appropriate add/drop minor dropdown menu.
- SIGN AND DATE the bottom of the form (digital, typed signature is fine).
- UPLOAD the form to the COS Dean's Office Document Portal. A department signature is not required to add or drop a math minor.
Scheduling an Advising Appointment
Use the links below to schedule an advising appointment with your mathematics advisor. If you do not see any availability that fits your schedule, email your advisor to schedule an appointment. Appointments must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance and will default to 20 minute appointments.
| Math Advising Team |
| Jessica Hurdus |
| Fanny Jasso |
| Jessica Schmale |
| Eric Ufferman |
NOTE: The links above are for fall/spring semester appointments. Use email during summer and winter terms.
Students interested in a math major or minor can schedule an Explore Mathematics or Explore Mathematics Minor appointment through Navigate. If you are unable to find an available appointment, please email mathadvising@vt.edu.
Scholarships
- Black Women in STEM Scholarship
- Math Dept Scholarships
- COS & VT Scholarships
- Experiential Learning Scholarship Database
BestColleges is excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for our inaugural scholarship opportunity for Black Women in STEM. This scholarship will present five $6,000 scholarships.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be a Black woman who is pursuing a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) degree at a four-year college or university
- Provide one letter of recommendation
- Write a 500-word essay that describes their interests and motivations for pursuing a career in STEM and submit here
In a typical year the Math Department awards more than $60,000 to 30+ students with the majority going to continuing students. To be considered for a Math Department awarded scholarship, complete the following steps by mid-January 2024:
- STEP 1 (required): Complete the application in Scholarship Central found at: https://vt.academicworks.com
- STEP 2 (preferred): Provide additional information to the Math Department Scholarship Committee to assist with scholarship decisions by filling out the form at: https://forms.gle/w5xSsGBzS7v4HHtj7
- STEP 3 (optional): Fill out the FAFSA at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa This form is only required for eligibility to certain scholarships based on financial need.
The General Scholarship Application can be found in Scholarship Central. Students should complete the General Application before attempting to complete any other scholarship application in the Scholarship Central system. You must complete both the General Application and the FAFSA (for need-based scholarships) by the date listed for maximum scholarship consideration. Math majors should also complete the College of Science Scholarship Application, due January 22, 2024.
The Academy for Experiential Learning has consolidated a database of scholarships, awards, and other funding for study abroad, research, and internships. This resource will be updated periodically and serves as a single source for undergraduates to find funding to support their experiential learning endeavors.
The student shares the responsibility for developing an advising partnership with the advisor. Over time, the partnership results in increased responsibility for the student. This is achieved through the student:
- Communicating goals 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 the advisor
- Informing the advisor of changes in plans and/or circumstances that might impact academic performance
- Knowing departmental procedures for changing advisors
- Bringing concerns regarding quality of advising to the attention of the advising unit
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 a professional and 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
- Conducting appropriate follow-up with students
- Seeking out and taking advantage of opportunities for professional development
| Important Dates | |
| Dec 6 | Last day to apply for a course withdrawal (W grade policy) |
| Dec 7 | Reading Day - No Classes |
| Dec 8-13 | Fall 2023 Final Exams (Dec 14 inclement weather makeup day) |
| Dec 11 - Jan 5 | Change of Major - - can change math degree option during this time |
| Dec 18 | Fall 2023 final grades viewable in Hokie Spa |