Western Carolina University

Located in Killian Annex, the Advising Center offers comprehensive academic advising to all undeclared undergraduate students at Western Carolina University.  The Center provides a holistic approach to advising by addressing students’ academic and social potential.

Advisors help students to select proper courses, to choose careers and appropriate majors, to understand university academic policies and procedures, and to cope with the transition to college.  To learn more about the advising relationship, view the Advising Syllabus.

The Center also provides a Learning Contract course for at-risk students and serves as a campus resource for general academic information.

Please refer to the Liberal Studies program for current approved courses, checksheet, and other forms.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make an appointment?
Appointments with advisors in the Advising Center can be made online through AdvisorTrac.

How do I declare or change my major?
Simply come to the Advising Center (2^nd Floor Killian Annex) and complete a declaration of major form. We strongly recommend discussing major changes with an advisor in the Advising Center. An advisor can help you think through how changing your major will affect your academic and career goals.

What is an Alt PIN?
An Alt PIN is a six digit number that allows you to register for classes online through your MyCat account. Your Alt PIN changes every semester. The purpose of the Alt PIN is to help ensure that students are meeting with their assigned advisor.  Please note that Distance Learning, graduate, and non-degree seeking students do not need an Alt PIN to register for classes.

How can I get my Alt PIN?
Your Alt PIN can only be released by your primary advisor. Simply make an appointment with your primary advisor prior to your registration day. 

How do I find out who my advisor is?
You can find the name of your advisor in MyCat under
Personal Service > Student Records > View Student Information. In the list of information you will find the name of your primary advisor. This is the advisor you will see during advising to obtain your Alt PIN.

How do I contact my advisor?
From the WCU homepage, click "Contact WCU" (located next to the search box at the top right). Click on "Find a faculty or staff member at WCU" under Directories. You can then search for your advisor's information by their first or last name. Faculty advisors use various methods to schedule advising appointments. You should check with your faculty advisor for how to schedule your appointment. Undeclared students who are assigned to an advisor in the Advising Center can make their appointment online using AdvisorTrac. 

What courses should I take?
You can find all of the degree requirements for your program through the online catalog and the degree audit/evaluation. You should use the degree audit in MyCat to prepare for your advising appointment. You can run a degree audit/evaluation for your current major using the instructions below. 

How do I run a degree audit/evaluation?

Log into My Cat (http://mycat.wcu.edu/)

1. Click on the “Personal Services” tab
2. Click on the “Student” tab
3. Click on “Student Records”
4. Click on “Degree Audit/Evaluation”
5. Choose the appropriate term (if this is an option) and click submit
6. You will see your current curriculum information including your major. To run a degree audit/evaluation, click on “Generate New Evaluation” in the middle of the page at the bottom.
7. Select the button next to the major you wish to run an audit for and click the Generate Request button.
8. Wait patiently for the audit to generate.
9. Select the button next to “Detail Requirements” and click submit.
10. You should now see your degree audit.  Courses you still need to satisfy will appear with a red “No” next to them.

How do I know how I am doing in a course?
You should read your course syllabus carefully to make sure you understand your professor's grading policies. If you have questions about how your professor calculates your grades, visit with him or her during office hours. In addition, you should check your progress grades during the fifth week of classes.

 

How do I find my fifth week grades?

1. Log into My Cat
2. Click on the "Personal Services" tab
3. Click on the "Student" tab
4. Click on "Academic Progress"
5. Select the term and click Submit
6. Scroll down to find your Week 5 grades and attendance (if posted)

How do I find my final grades?

• Log on to My Cat
• Click on the Personal Services tab
• Click on Student Records
• Click on the Grades
• Select the current academic term

What can I do to improve my grade in a course?

• Go to class everyday
• Use a day planner
• Study 3 hours each day
• Meet with your instructor during office hours
• Spend time in the Writing and Learning Commons and Mathematics Tutoring Center.

Who can I discuss my options with?
Your academic advisor and course instructor.

How do I withdraw from a course?
To withdraw from a course, you must visit the Advising Center, complete a course withdrawal form, and take the form to the Registrar's Office. Courses from which you withdraw will be listed on your transcript with a grade of "W." These courses will not count toward your grade point average (GPA).

Will I still be a full-time student if I withdraw from a course?
You must have 12 credit hours to be a full-time student. Therefore, as long as you keep at least 12 credit hours, you will be a full-time student.

Will withdrawing from a course affect my financial aid?
Students who are receiving financial aid need to make satisfactory progress toward earning a degree. In addition to earning a satisfactory grade point average students need to complete (earn a passing grade) in all of the courses they start. Contact the Office of Financial Aid if you have any questions.