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.
Before starting your first semester at UB, here is what you need to do.
- Activate and check your UB email daily:
- Activate your UBIT Name
- Log in to your UB Email. This website includes instructions on accessing UB Email from your computer, phone, or tablet.
- Download the Navigate App to get important reminders, schedule appointments, and connect with offices across campus.
- This website includes more information on Navigate, including tutorials and a Student FAQ.
All first-year students in the College of Arts and Sciences are required to attend a group advising session before starting their first semester.
During the session you will learn:
- Ways your academic advisor can help you.
- Your requirements for your major.
- Tools and resources that will help you throughout your time at UB, like HUB Student Center, UB Curriculum and the Academic Calendar.
- Next steps to prepare for your first semester at UB
Sessions will be held in this Zoom Room:
- May - June
- Wednesdays 3pm
- Thursdays 7pm (no session, Thursday June 19)
- July - August 13
- Tuesdays 7pm
- Wednesdays 1pm and 3pm
You'll receive an invitation to sign up on your UB email.
Advisors will start partially registering first-year students on May 15th that have completed the following steps.
- Complete the College of Arts and Science Registration Form
- A link to the form will be sent to your UB email. You will need to sign-in to Navigate with your UB IT name and password to complete the survey.
- Submit medical and immunization records.
- This website has more infromation on how to meet immunization requirements.
- Remove all holds in the HUB Student Center (most students must remove Profile Information and Financial Agreement holds)
- This guide reviews how to review holds.
- This guide reviews how to update your Personal Information.
- This guide reviews how to view your to-do list.
- Take the Math Readiness Assessment (MRA) if major requires calculus.
- Students can schedule the MRA on Navigate.
- More information on the assessment, including instructions on how to sign up, can be found on this website.
- Take a language placement exam if you plan to take Spanish, Chinese, Italian or French and have experience speaking or studying the language.
- Students can read more information on the AVANT Placement test on this website.
After removing removing holds, taking your placement exam, and completing the CAS Registration Form, you will receive an email from your advisor with your class schedule and instructions on how to sign up for a 199 seminar (3-credit) course.
💡Pro Tip: Email your academic advisor if you have any questions about your schedule.
After completing the steps above, here are things you can do next.
Orientation for New First-Year Students
Please complete the Advisiement and Orientation Form. If you have any questions, please contact Orientation, Transition and Parent Programs.
Get your textbooks
Once you receive your schedule, you may review your required textbooks online through the HUB Student Center. You can buy your books from the University Bookstore or other online stores.
💡Pro Tip: You may wait until you arrive to purchase their materials on campus.
Finish in 4
Finish in 4 is a pledge by you to do what it takes to earn your degree in four years and a pledge by UB and your academic advisors to provide you with the resources needed to do that.
When the semester starts, you can get in touch with an advisor to help with:
- For quick questions, sign-up for a drop-in advising appointment using Navigate Monday - Friday, 1-3 p.m.
- Book a 30-minute one-on-one appointment through Navigate to ask more complex questions.
- Sign up for group advising starting in October to learn about registering for courses (for either non-major or major-specific), selecting Pathways, changing majors or adding a major/minor.
💡Pro Tip: The drop/add period is August 18- September 2. Sign-up for a drop-in advising appointment through Navigate to talk to your advisor about adding or dropping classes.
Have questions?
Check out some commonly asked questions that might help you.