Computer Science info sessions

Interested in majoring in Computer Science? Monday, September 9th at 4:00pm is the orientation for students interested in applying to the major. You might also want to check out their flier for a new program in Informatics.

If you are interested in the major at all, make sure you attend!

Weekly Preview: September 9 - 13

Your first full week of classes starts on Monday.  You're looking at your syllabi and planning your semester, right?  Did you get your planner?  Stop by our office in 613 Goodell and ask for one if you didn't.  Get organized and have a great semester!


Are you interested in Computer Science?  Want to learn more about the major?  There will be a Computer Science Information Session on Monday, September 9 at 4:00pm in 150/151 Computer Science Building.  Students interested in applying to CS are strongly encouraged to attend.  Can't make it?  Visit the CS Undergraduate Advising Center in room 144 of the CS building.  Check the website for hours.  Applications for the major or minor are due by October 1.

 

Boltwood Project recruitment nights will be held on Monday, September 9, Wednesday, September 11, and Thursday, September 12 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm in the Campus Center Auditorium.  You can earn 1-2 credits while helping children and adults with special needs.   You MUST attend ONE of these meetings to sign up (even if you were in before!)  No exceptions! Spaces fill up fast!  Sessions start promptly at 6.  Do not be late.  Click here to learn more about Boltwood and how you can engage with the local community while earning credit.

Isenberg School of Management Information Sessions for Sport Management, the BBA program, and Hospitality & Tourism Management will be held on Monday, September 9 and Tuesday, September 10 at 5:30pm in Isenberg 206.  Attending an Information Session is required before applying to the Sport Management or HTM majors and highly recommended before applying to the BBA program.  We will post detailed information on how to prepare for these sessions over the weekend, so be sure to check back.

Thinking about applying to Resource Economics?  Information Sessions will be held on Wednesday, September 11 at 12:20pm and Thursday, September 12 at 4:00pm.  Both sessions are in Stockbridge 303.  Students must attend and Information Session and complete the Online Statement of Interest before being invited to schedule an advising appointment to complete the change of major.  Your Statement of Interest is due online by November 27 at noon.



Add/Drop ends next Monday, September 16.  Do you still have questions about your schedule?  Do not wait to talk to an advisor!  Make an appointment or stop by the Academic Advising Link soon.

Engineering Information Session!

Are you thinking about choosing an Engineering major?  Do you have questions about your classes and want to know what you need to do to apply?

Come to 604 Goodell on Thursday, September 5 at 5:30pm and meet with Engineering Advisors.  Find out if you need to make changes to your schedule before Add/Drop ends.  Ask questions and get information.

See you there!

It's not too late to register for classes through Five College Interchange!

Taking a class at Amherst, Hampshire, Smith or Mt. Holyoke this semester is a great way to expand your academic options! And, it's not too late to register for a class through Five College Interchange. Registration paperwork is being accepted in 613 Goodell until the last day of UMass Add/Drop: Monday, September 16th. 

The registration procedure for Five College Interchange classes is different from your regular UMass enrollment process. Once you find the course(s) you want, read the detailed instructions on our website very carefully. The Five College Enrollment form is available on SPIRE, but you cannot submit your registration through SPIRE. You must follow the UMass paperwork procedure and deadlines and turn in your forms to the UMass Five College Interchange office located in 613 Goodell.

Important information:

• You must be in good academic standing and have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• You must be registered for at least one 3-credit UMass course.
• You must have the instructor's signature in order to be added to the class.
• You can only register by handing in two copies of the UMass paperwork to the UMass Five College Interchange office located in 613 Goodell.  There must be original signatures from the instructor on both forms - photocopies cannot be accepted.

Questions? Visit our website, come see us in 613 Goodell, call us at 413-545-5352 or send an email to 5collreg@acad.umass.edu.

The Academic Advising Link is Open!

The semester has started. You're going to classes. You're looking at your syllabi. You have questions.  You might want to speak with an advisor, but you want to talk things through first.   

 

Are you trying to change a class to Pass/Fail? Edit a discussion? Swap into a different class?  Read your ARR? Search for GenEds?  Are you trying to do this on your own but having problems with SPIRE?

 

Perhaps you're just not sure where to start?

Come to the Academic Advising Link!

Our experienced Peer Advisors are here for you! They're trained to talk to you about using SPIRE, getting into classes, major requirements, GenEds, grading options and more. You don't need to make an appointment - just stop by!  We're here for ALL students in ALL majors.

The Link is open Sunday through Thursday from 4:00pm - 8:00pm while classes are in session. We are located downstairs in the Learning Commons in the DuBois Library.

 

Don't wait until the day before Add/Drop ends! Meet with a Peer Advisor now!

OASIS seminars

The 1-credit OASIS seminar is designed for undeclared students, typically in their first or second semester at UMass Amherst.  In addition to learning about opportunities and resources at UMass Amherst, students are given the tools and tips to be most successful, they forge a relationship with an advisor (who is their instructor), and they explore majors and other academic options available to them at UMass.

• UNIV 125 is for freshmen (some sections are part of the FOCUS RAP programs; others are free-standing); 
• UNIV 125T for transfers, and 
• UNIV 192G a slight variation of the seminar for students in academic difficulty.

Most sections of OASIS for Fall 2013 have a final capacity of 20 students. If you are unable to enroll in a section, but it looks as if there might still be room available, email with your name, 8-digit ID number, and the section of OASIS you'd like to join. NOTE: make sure you get to the first class meeting!  If you did not attend the first class meeting, you will need to meet with the instructor/advisor before you can join the class. Know, also, that the course is also offered in the Spring semester.

For students who ARE already enrolled, you can purchase your textbook at Collective Copies, in downtown Amherst, and we look forward to seeing you SOON!

Weekly Preview: September 2 - 6

Welcome to the first week of Fall 2013!  Be sure you're checking the blog often.  There is always a lot of information during the first weeks of the semester and you want to be sure you don't miss an important meeting or deadline.


 
The first day of classes is Tuesday, September 3.  (Did you print a hard copy of your schedule or save screen shots on your phone in case SPIRE isn't working?)

Find some time to stop by the Student Activities Expo on Tuesday from 4:00pm -7:00pm in the Student Union.  Find out how to get involved in one (or more) of the over 200 student organizations here at UMass Amherst.  Check out the free giveaways from many campus vendors.  Sponsored by Student Activities and Involvement.

 

The Writing Placement & Exemption Test will be held on Friday, August 30 from 2:00pm - 3:00pm in Isenberg 133.  It will be offered again on Tuesday, September 3 from 6:00pm - 7:00pm in Bartlett 206.

Foreign Language Exemption Tests

German, Latin, and Spanish tests will be held on Tuesday, September 3 at 4:00pm and again on Wednesday, September 4 at 3:00pm.  The test will be in the Campus Center, Room 101.

The French test  time and location are currently TBA.  Update:  They will be held on Thursday, September 5 at 10am and again on Friday, September 6 at 9:30am in the Learning Resource Center, 10th Floor W.E.B. du Bois Library.


 

Hoping to be accepted into an Engineering major?  Make sure you’re enrolled in the right classes and hear about how to enhance your chances for getting in.  Come to the Engineering Information Session on Thursday, September 5 at 5:30pm in 604 Goodell.




Remember, you can make changes to your schedule on SPIRE from now until September 16.  If you're not sure you're in the right classes, don't wait to ask!  Call or stop by our office and make an appointment to speak with an advisor.

Calling All Undeclared First-Year Students . . .

WELCOME TO UMASS!  

On Saturday morning, as part of Fall New Student Orientation, all incoming freshmen will be meeting with their School/College prior to going to Convocation.   Undergraduate Advising is looking forward to seeing all undeclared students at the Fine Arts Center.  Come at 9:30 and pick up your T-Shirt, and as you enter the auditorium, we'll have another gift for you that will assist you in being a successful student.

All of us from Undergraduate Advising & Learning Communities 

wish you the very best that UMass has to offer.

Welcome to the 2013 Fall Semester!

Have you made your travel plans?  Did you check your Boarding Pass for Move-In Weekend?  Have you looked at the First Week schedule?  It's time for the new school year!

In the next few weeks we will be posting LOTS of information to kick off the semester.  There are many deadlines to pay attention to, as well as information sessions for specific majors.  We'll remind you of all the resources available to you as a student and give you tips and strategies for how to plan your time for a successful semester, both academically and socially.

While you are checking things off on your To Do List, there is something very important to add:

PRINT OUT A HARD COPY OF YOUR SCHEDULE!!!

Sometimes SPIRE stops working, especially during high traffic moments.  In past semesters, students have been unable to access their schedule and don't know where their class is meeting.  At the very least, take some screen shots and store them on your phone.  Don't miss the first day of class because you're not prepared.

Check the dates on your schedule.  SPIRE shows each week individually, so if you have Monday classes, they won't show up when you look right now since there are no classes on Monday, September 2.  Look at "Week of 9/9/2013 - 9/15/2013" and be sure everything is there.

We're looking forward to seeing everyone arrive on campus.  Don't forget to stay proactive and call or stop by the office if you want to make an appointment to meet with an advisor.

Introducing . . . .

(drumroll, please)

Meet the Summer 2013 Undergraduate Advising Peer Advisors, who will be working with incoming undeclared and College of Humanities and Fine Arts students, as well as Residential Academic Program staff.

(Samantha, Alex, Sierra, Kelsey, Aliza, Adriana, Naomi, Aditi, Jennie, Abena, Gabby, Joe, Shaylene, Liz, Sean and Chris)

These undergrads have completed their extensive training and are ready to welcome incoming students and assist them, working with advisors, in setting up their schedules during their advising appointments during New Student Orientation.

New Students - we're ready, and eager to meet you!