Incoming First-Year Students
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.
RSVP and attend your virtual session, where you'll spend an hour with an academic advisor, success coach, and peer advisor talking about:
- 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
- Select a link below to RSVP on Navigate (you will need your UB IT name to log in)
- All sessions will be held in this Zoom Room.
💡Pro Tip: Work to remove all your holds, including immunization holds that may take up to 3-4 weeks to process. They will prevent you from getting your class schedule!
If you are in a major that requires calculus, you must take the MRA (Math Readiness Assessment) before your schedule can be finalized. The MRA webpage is a great resource!
Here is a video demonstration on how to sign up for the Math Readiness Assessment (MRA). Below are written instructions on how to sign-up:
- Sign into the Navigate Student App
- Click the Appointments Icon
- Press blue “Schedule an Appointment” button at the bottom of the screen
- From Appointment Type drop-down menu, select “Student Support”
- From Appointment Reason drop down menu, select “Math Readiness Assessment”
- Press blue “Find Available Time” button
- Select the day and time of an assessment that works best for you
- Select blue “Schedule” button
Topics covered in the MRA are Math Fundamentals, Advanced Algebra, and Trigonometry and Geometry. A score of a 70 is needed in Math Fundamentals and Advanced Algebra in order to progress onto MTH121 or MTH131. A score of a 70 is needed in Math Fundamentals, Advanced Algebra and Trigonometry and Geometry in order to progress onto MTH141.
Practice assessments can be found on the Math Readiness Assessment Brightspace course page. You will be added to the Brightspace page after making your appointment for the MRA in Navigate. It may take up to a week to be added.
After December 1st, once all your holds have been removed, you'll receive an email from your advisor giving you information about your major and a survey to help create your class schedule.
💡Pro Tip: The sooner you complete the survey, the quicker you can get your class schedule!
After completing the survey, you'll 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 Orientation Data Form to register for orientation. 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 advising workshops starting in October to learn about registering for courses (for either non-major or major-specific), Pathways, changing majors or adding a major/minor.
💡Pro Tip: The drop/add period is August 20 - September 3. 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.