University at Buffalo (UB)
Incoming Students
Students attend the Welcome Back Blast Pep Rally and Fireworks Spectacular on the Student Union Field. Photographer: Douglas Levere
Welcome to the University at Buffalo! We are thrilled that you chose a major within the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Student Advisement and Services is here to help you every step to graduation.
What we do
We help undergraduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences plan their academic path, develop goals, and provide support and recommendations to help students graduate college.
We will be reaching out to new incoming students by email and phone as you complete these steps below.
Work to remove all your holds
To remove your holds you'll need to have paid your tuition deposit, completed your Orientation Data Form, and submitted your medical / immunization records which may take up to 3-4 weeks to process.
Check out some commonly asked questions that might help you get started.
Every student is assigned to an academic advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences Student Advisement and Services.
Your academic advisor is listed in the HUB Student Center under the Academic Progress tile.
Meeting with your academic advisor before registering for classes is not required, but we highly recommend scheduling an appointment once a semester.
Your class schedule is available in HUB Student Center. You'll see it under the Manage Classes Tile and Weekly Schedule.
In most cases, students are required to complete specific courses in their first semester. You should consult with your academic advisor before making any schedule changes.
If you wish to change your major to another major within the College of Arts and Sciences, please call Student Advisement and Services at 716-645-6883 to schedule an appointment with an advisor in your new program.
You must contact that academic advising unit directly if you wish to change your major to a program outside the College of Arts and Sciences.
Ten minutes is enough for students without accessibility concerns to get from one class on the North Campus Academic Spine to another. Students are advised to allow approximately 20-30 minutes to travel between the Academic Spine and the Ellicott Complex on the North Campus and one hour between classes on the North and South Campus.
The specific instruction modes are in the Class Information section under Class Details.
It's important that you choose the credit load that is right for you, and your academic advisor can help! We recommend taking at least 15 credits per semester of General Education, major(s), and free electives courses to stay on track to graduate in four years (eight semesters). Typically, a first-year student will take between 14-17 credits per semester, but having prior college credits may impact your course load. Learn more about tranfer credits in the qestions below.
Maybe! To earn credit as outlined in the articulation chart on the registrar's webpage, you must have the College Board send an official score report to UB (SUNY Center Buffalo/School Code 2925). If you did not do this when you took the exam(s) or after you decided to attend UB, do so now! A high school transcript will not be accepted as proof of AP credit.
Maybe! You must request the official transcript from the college you took the course to be sent to UB. A high school transcript will not be accepted as proof of college credit.
You can review your transfer credit report to see if the transfer credit was received and processed by UB. Transfer credits reports are located in HUB Student Center under the Academic Progress Tile and choose Transfer Credit Report.
YES! The majority of all communications from UB are within these 4 tools. MyUB is the portal with which students can access information related to all things UB! Log on to find information regarding your schedule, finances, activities, important campus announcements, news headlines, etc. MyUB offers links to help students reach the information they're looking for. On the top toolbar you will see links to UBMail, UBLearns, and the HUB Student Center (via MyUB). The HUB Student Center offers personalized information regarding each student's account, finances (including financial aid, billing and payment services), and class schedule. In addition, students register for classes through the HUB Student Center. UBLearns is equipped with your daily class notes, syllabi, announcements, grades, and more. Although you may already have another email address, it is extremely important to use your UB email as well. Note that many professors/staff automatically send out information to UB email, and some may even refuse to recognize a non-UB email address.
Students are allotted a print quota, renewed each semester, for use at any public computing site on campus. You may print from any device connected to a UB Wi-Fi network. You will immediately see a change in your balance. Visit the UB Print Anywhere site for more information.
- Visit your professor or TA during office hours! They know best about your specific section and course material.
- Mathematics: The Thomas J. Edwards Undergraduate Learning Center (ULC)
- Reading and Writing: The Center for Excellence in Writing (CEW)
- UB Tutoring and Academic Services
Make an appointment with your academic advisor to discuss the courses you completed at your previous institution and how these have articulated to UB. Plan to discuss your general education requirements and major requirements for degree completion.
Visit TAURUS (Transfer Articulation and University Requirements at UB System)
to research how courses at other institutions will transfer to UB. There you can enter the UB required course and learn what course(s) (if any) at another institution will satisfy that requirement. See your advisor for assistance. Some majors limit transfer options so always ask first!
View the College's Experiential Learning opportunities or visit the Office of Study Abroad Programs. Either can provide you with a wealth of information on UB study abroad opportunities, as well as programs through other schools.
1 Capen is responsible for all student records and financial services. Additionally, every UB student has been assigned a personal financial aid advisor. Contact information for your advisor is available through the HUB.
HUB Student Center (via MyUB) is the UB’s online one-stop shop for students where you can register for classes, check grades, request transcripts, manage finances/financial aid, maintain personal information, and much more.
The training guides on this page will help you complete specific tasks in HUB. Review HUB Training Guides
NOTE: This section includes screenshots that show how to process tasks in HUB. The University at Buffalo is committed to accessibility. If you experience any difficulty understanding information in this section or this website, please contact the Office of the Registrar for assistance.
To maintain academic standards and determine eligibility for continued enrollment, financial aid, and participation in university activities, UB regularly reviews the academic records of all undergraduate students. This review addresses the quality of the student's studies as measured by the student's course grades.
This process should be facilitated in consultation with your academic advisor. Please review Undergraduate Policies and Procedures to learn more
The GPA is the ratio of the number of grade points earned to the number of graded credits. The GPA at UB is the ratio of the number of grade points earned at UB to the number of graded credits at UB. Only letter grades of “A,” “A-,” “B+,” “B,” “B-,” “C+,” “C,” “C-,” “D+,” “D,” and “F” are utilized in determining GPA. GPA is also referred to as QPA (quality point average).
Now that you have a better understanding of how to calculate your GPA and all the terms used in association with academic difficulty, let’s talk about how to improve your situation. UB has a host of programs available to students experiencing an academic challenge. You can seek out these resources on your own or you can use one of the greatest resources available to you, your academic advisor.
One of the keys to becoming a successful student is good time management. Using a planner can help you keep track of your assignments and exams. The academic planner you received at freshman orientation is an excellent resource, as it includes important dates and deadlines.
If you are having trouble in a specific class, visit your instructor during scheduled office hours; he or she can help you better understand the material. If meeting your instructor seems daunting, meet the TA (teaching assistant) in your class if one is available. At the start of every semester, your instructor distributes a syllabus for the course which includes office hours, contact information as well as expectations for the class. Addressing problems early is the best strategy. Don’t wait until it is too late!
Tutoring Opportunities
Contact your department for information on discipline-specific tutors, or use the following UB resources:
- UB Tutoring Services
- The Center for Excellence in Writing
- Thomas J. Edwards Undergraduate Learning Center - Math Place
Study Space
Academic Success Centers and Study Spaces are located in all three of UB’s Residence Hall areas. Free tutoring in various subjects is provided. Review the tutoring schedule before visiting one of the centers.
Life and Learning Workshops
This series of free workshops is devoted to academic and personal support, including study skills, time management, overcoming test anxiety, and much more.
You need to take full responsibility for your education. You have the necessary tools and resources, but it will take hard work and commitment on your part. Success is within your reach. Your academic advisor is available to help you with each step along your path.
Don't forget: The Undergraduate Catalog is your primary reference for university policies and procedures. You should familiarize yourself with basic university policies regarding student rights and responsibilities.
University at Buffalo major, minor, and academic policies and requirements are listed in the University Undergraduate Catalog and are in effect for the entirety of the academic year. The edition of the catalog that contains students’ university and major requirements is determined by their academic year of entry/reentry and academic year of acceptance to the major, respectively. See the Catalog Rights Statement for specific information
UB’s Academic Calendars for undergraduate, graduate, and pharmacy careers include dates for the start and end of semesters, official holidays, and final exams.
The Undergraduate Student Association (SA) is comprised of over 180 clubs. Ranging from academic clubs to dance teams to community service and cultural groups, there is something for everyone in SA.
The clubs are split into seven separate councils: Academic Council, Engineering Council, Hobby Council, International Council, People of Color Council (POC), Special Interest Council and Sports Council.
Intramural teams are formed each semester for a fee. Group fitness classes are also offered on a semester basis. For more information, visit Recreation Services.
Recreation courses are also offered for course credit each semester. Visit the Undergraduate Catalog to learn more.
The Office of Student Life offers a wide selection of Health and Wellness resources specifically geared toward wellness. Students may also visit the Wellness Education Office to learn about additional activities and services.
The UB Stampede is the free, daily bus system, transporting students between North and South campus.
The free Campus Shuttles transport UB students around campus. The Red, Green, Yellow, Ellicott Express lines provide students with transportation around North campus. The Blue line provides students with a ride to the UB Downtown campus, and the Mall and Market Shuttle transports students to the Boulevard Mall, Tops and Wegmans.
Many students also take advantage of various ride services, such as Lyft, Uber and Zip Car, which has a partnership with UB.
Each year, UB invites several renowned and highly regarded public figures to the university for the Distinguished Speakers Series. Past guests include the Dalai Lama, Maya Angelou, Stephen Colbert, Al Gore and Katie Couric. Tickets are free for all UB students.
Both UB Career Design Center and the Center for Excellence in Writing can provide support while you create these materials.
Begin by visiting the Career Design Center in 259 Capen Hall to meet with a career advisor and discuss jobs that fit your interests. Many students also use Bullseye, UB’s job and internship locator, to view job listings within the area as well as national openings.
There are many opportunities to complete an internship for credit or pay. First, contact your academic advisor or major department directly to inquire about what type of internships they offer. Second, view Experiential Learning opportunities and/or visit the Career Design Center to view more internship options, both on campus and in the Buffalo community.