Advising
Advising Newsletter
Past Advising Newsletters for the 2024-2025 Academic Year: JULY 2024 AUGUST 2024 SEPTEMBER 2024 OCTOBER 2024 NOVEMBER 2024 DECEMBER 2024 JANUARY 2025 FEB/MARCH 2025
Academic Advising - VT Math
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.
Math Department academic advisors are also faculty members who can discuss details of course and career advice throughout your undergraduate career.
Fall 2025 Drop/Add: Now open through August 29
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.
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, veteran benefits, financial aid, health insurance, student visa requirements, etc. International students must be enrolled in 12 total credits and 9 face-to-face credits in each fall/spring semester.
- The deadline to drop a Fall 2025 course is Tuesday, October 7. 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 Withdrawing from a course will not change full-time student status, as the course(s) withdrawn from will remain on your transcript (though no credit is earned).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 2025 course is Wednesday, December 10. An advisor's signature is not required, but it is highly recommended to discuss a course withdrawal decision with your advisor and any other relevant support office on campus such as Cranwell International Center, the Office of Veteran Services, and the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid.
- To apply for a course withdrawal, complete the Course Withdrawal form posted on the College of Science Forms page.
Change of Major/Minor/Degree Option
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 30-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 with a math minor can email questions to mathadvising@vt.edu or schedule a Mathematics Minor Advising appointment through Navigate.
Math Major: Students interested in a math major can schedule an Explore Mathematics appointment through Navigate.
Math Minor: No appointment is necessary to add a math minor. Instructions to add a math minor can be found on our FORMS page. Students who have questions about the math minor can email mathadvising@vt.edu or schedule an Explore Mathematics Minor appointment through Navigate.
If you are unable to find an available appointment, please email mathadvising@vt.edu.
Scholarships
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 2025-2026 Math Department awarded scholarship, complete the following steps:
- STEP 1 (required): Complete the General Application in Scholarship Central (priority deadline will be sometime in January 2025)
- STEP 2 (preferred): Provide additional information to the Math Department Scholarship Committee to assist with scholarship decisions by filling out the Department of Mathematics Scholarship Permission Form 2026-2027
- STEP 3 (optional): Fill out the FAFSA form. This form is only required for eligibility to certain scholarships based on financial need.
All steps above should be completed by January 31, 2026
![[CLICK HERE FOR FLYER]](https://math.vt.edu/content/dam/math_vt_edu/documents/MathDeptScholarships.png){kind=link}
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, generally due sometime in January.
- Virginia Tech is committed to ensuring the success of its students. To help achieve this goal, the College of Science and its departments offer multiple scholarships that support students' education and research.
- You must submit a 26-27 FAFSA to be considered for College of Science Scholarships.
- You can find the full list of COS scholarships on the College of Science Scholarship webpage. Applications are typically due in January.
- The Dorothy McCombs Scholarship awards $1,000 annually to an undergraduate student who is from the Appalachian region (broadly defined) or who can demonstrate close ties to it. Applicants for the scholarship must have completed, or be enrolled and in good standing in, at least one APS course at Virginia Tech. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5. Graduating seniors and incoming first-year students are ineligible to apply. Selection is based on the applicant’s commitment to leadership in building community well-being and/or ecological health in the region, the applicant's engagement with Appalachian Studies, and financial need.
- Applicants will need to submit a General Scholarship Application and then provide more information for the McCombs selection committee.
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 | |
| Aug 15 | Last day of Summer 2 & 3 classes. Last day to apply for W grade for a Summer 2 or 3 class. |
| Aug 25 | Fall 2025 Classes Begin |
| Aug 29 | Last Day to Add a Fall 2025 Class |