Undergraduate Advising Information and Resources

Getting a Major or Minor Advisor

All students who have questions about political science programs and courses or are thinking about a major or minor in Political Science are encouraged to come to the department main office (3302 Friedmann). You will be assigned to an advisor. When you meet your advisor, he/she will have you declare your major or minor. You will be entered into the University computer as a Political Science major or minor when this form is completed. You will then be eligible for our Honors program and consideration for department awards.

It is to your advantage to declare your major or minor as early as possible.   Since you will need to submit your major or minor slip to the University for your graduation audit, it is best to start your major or minor slip in your freshman year. The major or minor slips are NOT the same as the declaration form. Major and minor slips require a list of all the courses that will be used to complete the program requirements. These slips must then be signed by your faculty advisor and when completed, tumed in to the College of Arts and Sciences Advising office for your graduation audit.

Things to discuss with your advisor::

• Useful combinations of majors and minors involviing Political Science.
• Career skills you can develop as part of or external to your major.
• Extracurricular activites that can enhance your learning experience.
• How to put together a good portfolio of skills, knowledge and experience for the job market or application to law or graduate school.
• Opportunities to incorporate study abroad in your field of study.

Financial Aid

Scholarships are available at both the department and university levels. With the exception of Departmental scholarships, all undergraduate financial assistance programs at Western, both need and non-need based, are administered through the Student Financial Aid and Scholarship Office. Included are all scholarships, federal and state grants, work-study and other WMU employment opportunities, loans, and tuition plans.

Establishing a Portfolio

What is a portfolio? A portfolio is not necessarily a collection of something physical, as an artist might carry a collection of sketches and paintings. Instead, it is a collection of knowledge, skill and experiences. Your goal should be to develop a portfolio that demonstrates competency in your field, but which is also broad, reflecting a variety of skills and experiences to buttress your academic performance.

How to develop an impressive portfolio? Here is our advice:

1. Focus on Academic Performance. Academic performance in your classes is the most vital aspect of your overall portfolio. A good G.P.A., especially in your major, is important. While extracurricular activities are important and work (for many) unavoidable, your top priority should always remain your performance in classes.
   
   
2. Join Honors, either in the Lee Honors College or in Political Science. Graduating with Honors set you apart from the crowd. For more, see our Honors page.
   
   
3. Pick a Minor That Complements Your Major. There are many good combinations, depending on what your career plans are. Criminal Justice, Sociology, Business or International Business, a language, Anthropology, Communications and Economics are good and popular choices.
   
   
4. Develop Skills. Be an excellent writer. Learn a language. Learn how to speak in public. Take methods courses not only in Political Science, but in another department.
   
   
5. Get Involved in An Extracurricular Activity. There are many activities on campus and in the area in which students may get involved. Interested in politics? Join College Democrats or Republicans, or one of the smaller parties. Participate as a volunteer in a campaign. Care deeply about environmental issues? The status of political prisoners and refugees around the world? Sweatshops that employ women and children for low wages? Gender or racial equality? Local branches of inational and international organizations operate right on campus. {See the Student Organization Database of the Office of Student Life for more information.)



6. Engage in a Research Project. Solid research skills (and their natural counterpart, good writing skills) are highly prized by employers, law schools and graduate programs. You'll develop some research skills in classes. Think about taking on a research project outside of class, though. Research is important enough that we have a whole page devoted to it.
   
   
7. Study Abroad. Globalization is more than a buzz word. Knowledge of other cultures and how to communicate across cultures is highly valued in today's market. Study abroad is not just for International and Comparative majors, nor is it as hard as you may think. Consult your advisor and the Office of Study Abroad for information and ideas about places to study.
   
   
8. Do an Internship. Practical and applied Political Science, in the form of an internship, is great experience. WMU Political Science students have interned as close as Kalamazoo City Hall and as far away as the Germany Bundestag. See our Internship page for more.
   
   
9. Participate in a Formal Simulation. The Department sponsors teams or delegations to two competitive simulations, Mock Trial and Model Arab League. Not to be taken lightly (they are a lot of work), the learning experience is unrivaled. The advisor for Mock Trial is Dr Ashlyn Kuersten, and the advisor for Model Arab League is Dr Jim Butterfield.
   
   
10. Do Volunteer Work. There are thousands of opportunties and needs. Believe or not, employers, law schools and graduate schools value a student's commitment to volunteer activity. Pick your commitment carefully; it should reflect your abilities and the time you can realistically devote to it (be careful not to let it interfere with your academic performance). WMU can help you locate a volunteer activity.

A good portfolio does not have to include each of these points, but putting together the right combination to match your career plans is good strategy. Consult your advisor about the best set of skills and experiences to match your academic career as well as future plans.