While there is general consensus on the importance of good academic advising to student success and support for the American College Testing Program's developmental concept of advising, there is less agreement on the most effective model for delivery. Research suggests that both faculty-oriented advising and professional counselor-oriented systems may have fallen short of their intended purposes. Concern for the quality of academic advising and recognition of the important role it can play in promoting student retention and success underpin current efforts to improve advising. Steps to improve academic advising include the following: (1) preparing, reviewing, and revising a written plan detailing the goals and functions of academic advising; (2) screening potential advisors and informing them that they must be willing to do more than help students schedule classes; (3) requiring that students meet on a regular basis with their advisors; (4) implementing advising programs in which counselors and teachers work together as a team; (5) rewarding the efforts of those involved in academic advising; (6) training advisors in basic counseling skills and techniques and providing simulation and role-playing activities; (7) using computers in academic advisement; and (8) assessing students and administrators to determine if the advising system is meeting its goals. (JMC)