Welcome to the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences! We hope the information on this page will be useful for you as you transition to the University as an incoming first-year student in the Class of 2030.
Please watch the video below to learn more about the academic advising process for new students in the Dietrich School and then carefully review the following steps to help support your transition. We look forward to working with you!
Please follow these steps to schedule and prepare for your initial academic advising meeting as a new Dietrich School student:
- Step 1: Register for the University's online orientation program and complete the Academics module.
Make sure you have pre-registered for the University's online orientation by completing this form. Please note that the online orientation will not be available to first-year students until on or after May 18.
Complete the Academics module of the online orientation and be sure to complete the Advising Intake Survey at the end of that module to let us know you have reviewed this important information. Please note that the online orientation will not be available to first-year students until on or after May 18.
- Step 2: Schedule your initial advising meeting.
Check your Pitt email regularly for an invitation from our Pathways system to schedule your initial academic advising meeting. Be sure to check the "Other" section of your Outlook inbox for messages. Once your meeting is scheduled, you will receive a confirmation email with Zoom meeting information.
All new students enter the Dietrich School in Undeclared status and are not pre-assigned to a specific academic advisor. All of our advising staff members are familiar with undergraduate majors across the University and how to advise students on those paths. Please select the day and time for your meeting that works best for your schedule. The advisor you meet with will work with you moving forward until you officially declare your major later in your academic career.
- Step 3: Complete any necessary placement exams.
Follow the placement guidelines and complete any assessments that fit your intended plan of study. Placement assessments are required for certain courses offered in mathematics, music theory, and second languages.
Students who earn grades of B or higher in high school Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, or Calculus are exempt from completing the Dietrich School's Algebra general education requirement. However, it may still be necessary for students to complete the ALEKS math placement exam if they are not expecting test or transfer credits for an advanced math course, especially for those intending to major in the natural sciences or those that are pursuing pre-professional tracks such as pre-medicine or pre-dentistry.
- Step 4: Complete first year student course list.
We have a prepared list of First-Year Courses across many different academic departments for you to review prior to your advising meeting.
- Step 5: Enroll in the Dietrich Academic Advising Resource in Canvas.
Visit the Dietrich Academic Advising Resource in Canvas, and click "enroll in course." This resource contains information on transitioning to Pitt, academic advising, your degree requirements, using Peoplesoft CX, and other campus resources.
- Step 6: Make sure you can login to myPitt and Zoom prior to your meeting.
You can login to myPitt with your University username and password via the "Sign in" link at the top-right of the page. Set up your Zoom account by following these instructions from Pitt IT. Be sure to click on the link included in your appointment confirmation email to initiate the Zoom meeting just prior to your scheduled appointment time. You will be entered into the waiting room, and your advisor will admit you when it is time to begin.
- Step 7: Familiarize yourself with PeopleSoft/Highpoint CX.
Try adding your anticipated courses to your enrollment shopping cart in PeopleSoft/Highpoint CX. Information on how to do this is in the Academics module of the online orientation, and you can also use the information on our Enrollment Resources page.
If you have questions about how to get started, you can always reach us at advcentr@pitt.edu or (412) 624-6444.