ACADEMIC ADVISING CENTER
FIRST YEAR STUDENT ORIENTATION: ACADEMIC ADVISING & FIRST SEMESTER COURSE PLANNING
WELCOME, NEW EXPLORING/UNDECIDED STUDENTS!
The Academic Advising Center supports undecided first-year and transfer students in identifying paths for academic exploration, developing a plan for their first semester, and navigating their personal journey of learning at the university.
We are excited to meet with you as you explore majors at the U!
Do you have a major in mind? Find the orientation steps for all colleges here.
Not yet admitted to the University of Utah? Find information for prospective students here.
Info for In-Person Orientation
If you have registered for an in-person orientation date, plan to attend and be available for the full time. First semester course planning will be included within your selected orientation date. Part of the orientation schedule will include time to speak with an advisor and register for classes. Students will receive instructions from the Office of Orientation and Transition. Learn more.
Academic advising and first semester course registration is included for New Student Orientation held in person. Students should not schedule a separate academic advising appointment.
Steps for Virtual Orientation
Complete Orientation Modules through Canvas before speaking with an academic advisor.
Below are questions you may have:
After registering for orientation, students will receive access to Virtual Orientation modules. Check your Umail!
Modules may take approximately 2-4 hours to complete. After completing them, students are able to return to these modules to review information.
After students have confirmed their intent to enroll, students can register for orientation by CLICKING HERE!
Visit the Office of Orientation & Transition website. You can also send them an email or call 801-581-7069.
Consider Your Interests
The first step of exploration is to consider what you may already know about yourself!
Read over the interest areas below, and select the area that best reflects your interests
and what you're hoping to explore in your first semester. Share this with your advisor
during your advising session!
Schedule Your Advising Session
The Academic Advising Center offers individual advising sessions for incoming first-year
students! In each session, students will share a little on their interests and hopes
for their first semester at the U, learn about graduation requirements, and will work
with an academic advisor to create their first semester class schedule.
How to Schedule: Check your Umail account for instructions on scheduling your advising session. This email will have been sent from Madeline Rencher, mrencher@advising.utah.edu with the subject line "Virtual Orientation: Schedule Advising". Only students registered for virtual orientation will receive these instructions.
What if you have decided on your major?
If you have an intended major in mind, you should take the following steps:
1) find the orientation steps for your intended college.
2) follow your college's steps to speak with an academic advisor & register for classes
Attend Your Selected Advising Session
After scheduling your advising session, you will receive an email with the Zoom meeting
link instructions and scheduled time. Save this email, and use this information to
join your Advising Session!
- Don't see the email? Check your spam or junk folder!
- Any issues or questions? Contact Madeline Rencher at mrencher@advising.utah.edu.
General Info for New Students
PreHealth + PreMed students /
learn more about prehealth resources
PreLaw Students /
learn more about prelaw resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Student records at The University of Utah are governed by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and its implementing regulations. A student must authorize the University of Utah to release information to any 3rd party, such as a spouse or parent.
If your appointment is going to be conducted online or by phone, you must set up a FERPA Pin in order to discuss your specific academic record.
You can expect to discuss your academic and personal interests, to identify courses for your first semester at the U, and to learn how to use the registration portal in the Campus Information System (CIS).
No, students who are undecided/exploring majors will not have an assigned advisor. We have a team of advisors who are excited to help you plan your first semester classes.
All incoming students have two holds—an orientation hold and an advising hold.
Orientation Hold
After attending New Student Orientation (in-person orientation) or completing the
Virtual Orientation Canvas Modules (virtual orientation), the Office of Orientation
& Transition will remove your orientation hold.
Advising Hold
In-Person Orientation: The afternoon of Day 1, you will attend First Semester Course
Planning with your assigned college, and an advisor is responsible for removing your
orientation advising hold.
Virtual Orientation: You should RSVP for an advising session. During the advising portion of this session, the advisor you speak with will remove your orientation advising hold.
During your advising conversation, your academic advisor will assist you with first semester course planning and registration. When both holds—advising and orientation—have been removed, you will be able to register for classes.
All official college or university transcripts must be sent to the Admissions Office. Please note it can take 6-8 weeks for transcripts to be processed.
During your advising appointment, you can inform an advisor if you are expecting any previously earned college credit [AP, IB, concurrent enrollment, transfer]. An advisor will be able to talk with you more in depth about how these credits will transfer and which graduation requirements they may fulfill.
Yes! Students are able to make changes to their class schedule until the Add/Drop Deadline for each semester.
Find all important dates and deadlines on the academic calendar.