At Touro LAS, advising is personal. Our academic advisement staff will help you map out your schedule, manage credit transfers, decide on a major, find a tutor, or choose minors and electives. Whatever you need and wherever you’re coming from, we’re here to help.
What Advising Looks Like at LAS
Advising at LAS is more than picking classes — it’s a proactive, personalized partnership. Your advisor is your go-to person for planning, problem-solving, and pushing forward when things get hard. Some students check in once a semester, and others drop by the office almost weekly. A few email us almost daily. However you prefer to stay in touch, we’re here for you by phone, email, Zoom, or in person at our Flatbush office.
Here’s what that actually looks like:
- Schedule Planning: Build a course load that balances core and Judaic requirements, graduate and professional program prerequisites, and your real-life responsibilities.
- Major, Minor, and Career Exploration: Unsure of your path? Your advisor will help you explore programs that align with your interests and goals.
- Course and Graduation Planning: Stay on track with help registering for classes, fulfilling requirements, and mapping out your path to graduation.
- Transfer Credit Support: We’ll walk you through how to maximize credits from seminary, yeshiva, CLEP, and other prior learning.
- Academic Support: Get tutoring referrals, guidance on study strategies, and help navigating issues with coursework or instructors.
Life doesn’t always go according to plan, and our advisors are here when things shift. If you’re managing a tough semester, juggling family responsibilities, or just need someone to talk through options with, you can reach out to your academic advisor. They’ve been where you are and bring empathy and solution-oriented problem-solving skills to every conversation.
Additional Academic Support Services
At LAS, support doesn’t stop at advising. We connect you with resources that make a real difference in how you learn, grow, and manage life beyond the classroom.
- Writing Center: Get expert help on papers, personal statements, and research projects, whether you're on campus or joining a Zoom session from home. Tutors work with you on structure, clarity, and academic writing skills that carry over from class to career.
- Disability Accommodations: From learning differences like ADHD and dyslexia to chronic health conditions and mobility needs, we work with students to arrange disability accommodations with care and discretion.
- Support Through Life Transitions: Taking on a new role — parent, spouse, provider — can shift your entire routine. Your academic advisor can help you stay grounded and adjust your academic plan if needed, so you don’t skip a beat.
Planning for Graduate & Professional Schools
Thinking long-term? So are we. Your academic advisor will help you build a smart, strategic plan for what happens after your time at Touro, whether that’s graduate school, a professional program like medical school, law school, advanced certifications, or something else entirely.
Here’s what that looks like:
- Map Out a Pre-Professional Path: We’ll help you choose the right major, electives, and prerequisites for your intended graduate or professional program.
- Stay on Track Academically: We’ll guide you in meeting program requirements without overloading your schedule.
- Craft a Compelling Application: From personal statements to application timelines, we’ll help you present your strengths with clarity and purpose and manage your calendar to stay on track.
- Secure Strong Recommendations: We’ll help you identify faculty recommenders and time your requests to get the best letters possible.
With our pathways and pre-professional programs, students go on to top graduate programs in medicine, dentistry, psychology, speech-language pathology, OT, PT, law, business, education, the health sciences, and more. Your advisor is there to guide you every step of the way so you’re never navigating the process alone.
Contact
Pamela Goldstein
- pamela.goldstein2@touro.edu
- 718-535-9287
Joshua Zilberberg
- joshua.zilberberg@touro.edu
- 718-535-9286
Marcia Bodenstein
- marcia.bodenstein@touro.edu
- 718-535-9256
FAQs About Advisement
When should I meet with an academic advisor?
Early and often. Ideally, students should check in at the start of each semester to plan courses, and again before registration for the next term. You can also reach out any time you have a question or a life change that might affect your academic path.
The Office of Advisement is in rooms 211A, 211C, 211D, and 211E. You can contact any of us individually or by calling (718) 252-7800 ext. 59251 or emailing advisor@touro.edu.
I’m a parent of a Touro LAS student. Can I contact advisement with questions?
At Touro LAS, successful academic advisement involves a partnership between the student and their advisor. Rest assured that while your child is learning to take the reins on their own academic, personal, and professional path, they’ll never be going it alone. Our advisors offer responsive, personalized guidance every step of the way.
Note: Confidentiality laws prevent us from discussing a student’s grades or anything else related to their experience at Touro LAS without the student’s explicit written permission.
Can my academic advisor help with financial aid, tuition, or scholarships?
Academic advisors are here to support you with course planning, credit transfers, tutoring referrals, and graduate school preparation. They don’t handle billing, financial aid, or scholarships. The Office of the Bursar can help with tuition payments and the Financial Aid Office can help with your FAFSA and information about how to apply for scholarships.
If you're not sure who to reach out to, your advisor can point you in the right direction.
How do I transfer credits from CLEP exams, yeshiva, or seminary?
Start by meeting with your academic advisor, who will guide you through the process. You’ll need to provide official transcripts or score reports (CLEP scores count as official transcripts). You can review our CLEP and AP transfer policy in advance, but your advisor will review what can be accepted and how those credits apply to your degree.
Keep in mind: There are specific rules, like not being able to earn CLEP credit for a course you previously failed at Touro. The sooner you start the process, the more options you’ll have.
What should I do if I need extra help in a course?
In most cases, college will feel like a step up from high school, seminary, and yeshiva. It takes time to adjust to new expectations, more complex material, and greater independence. Touro LAS offers free tutoring in subjects like writing, math, accounting, and chemistry.
We strongly recommend speaking with your advisor at the first sign of difficulty and not after you’ve fallen behind. Remember: Getting help isn’t a sign of weakness! It’s a smart, goal-oriented move.
I’m getting married...or having a baby mid-semester. What should I do?
Mazel tov! Life doesn’t pause for school, and we’re here to support you through big transitions. The key is to plan ahead and communicate early. Reach out to your professors as soon as you can, and meet with an academic advisor to come up with a plan. Keep in mind that even valid absences (e.g., wedding or childbirth) still count as time away from class, and some courses have strict attendance policies. The earlier we can help you prepare, the smoother things will go.
I’m having a personal issue. Is there someone I can talk to?
Touro students have access to free, confidential mental health support through both in-house and external services. The Department of Student Mental Health Services offers short-term counseling, wellness resources, and referrals for long-term care. Whether you’re dealing with personal, academic, or emotional challenges, our team is here to help. To schedule a session or learn more, email wellness@touro.edu or call 646‑565‑6115.
Students also have free access to the Health Advocate Student Assistance Program (SAP), a 24/7 service that connects you with licensed professional counselors. You can speak with someone anytime and receive up to three free sessions per issue, per year. Health Advocate also offers referrals for ongoing support and help with life challenges like housing, elder care, or child care. Call 855‑384‑1800 or visit healthadvocate.com/members.
Looking for Something Else?
Explore Career Services Contact Admissions Visit Tuition & Bursar Learn About Financial Aid
