What constitutes negligent misrepresentation in the context of academic advising?

Negligent misrepresentation occurs when a professional provides false or misleading information that can adversely affect someone's decision-making, particularly when the professional has a duty to provide accurate and truthful advice. In academic advising, if a counselor dispenses advice that leads to negative outcomes for a student, this constitutes negligent misrepresentation because it can have serious implications for the student's academic path and overall well-being. The expectation is that advisors rely on their expertise and knowledge to guide students accurately, and failing to do so—especially when that advice is detrimental—aligns with the definition of negligent misrepresentation.

While other choices may highlight aspects of advising, they do not capture the essence of misrepresentation. Providing support to students facing academic difficulty is a positive action, being unaware of students' personal issues does not imply a breach of duty, and offering assistance without ethical considerations lacks the direct link to providing false information that harms the student. Therefore, the most accurate representation of negligent misrepresentation in this context is indeed found in dispensing advice that adversely affects a student.