Academic Advising
Advising and academic support
Academic advising at UC Santa Cruz plays a key role in your success. From the moment you’re admitted, you’ll have access to a network of support designed to help you make informed decisions and stay on track—from your first enrollment through graduation.
Your academic support team
You’re not alone on your academic journey—UC Santa Cruz has a network of advisors ready to help you succeed. Whether you’re choosing your first classes, exploring majors, or planning for graduation, you’ll have access to guidance and support through every part of the process. Use this page to learn about the types of advising available to you and how to connect before and after you enroll.
You’ll work with several helpful people along the way:
- College advisors support your overall academic progress and help you navigate university requirements, policies, and opportunities.
- Major/minor advisors guide you through program-specific requirements and help you plan your courses within your chosen field.
- Orientation Leaders (OLs) offer peer support before your first enrollment, helping you understand how to use enrollment tools and select your first classes.
Together, these teams are here to help you succeed—academically, personally, and professionally.
Colleges advising
Each UCSC college has an academic advising team to support your transition to the university. College advisors can help you:
- Understand general education and university requirements
- Explore academic interests
- Navigate policies and deadlines
- Find resources to support your academic success
Connect with your college’s advising team or schedule an appointment
Program advising: majors and minors
Major and minor advisors help you:
- Understand your program’s requirements and prerequisites
- Plan your course path
- Learn about qualification criteria, internships, and research opportunities
- Connect with faculty mentors in your field
Haven’t decided on a major yet? Explore UCSC’s full list of bachelor’s degrees to find the right fit for you.
Real-time help with enrollment
Orientation Leaders (OL) are here to support you before and during your enrollment experience. Your OL Team is available to answer questions and offer guidance as you prepare to enroll—and they’ll be online in real time on your assigned enrollment date to help you navigate MyUCSC, access your shopping cart, and enroll in classes for the upcoming quarter.
How to Reach Your OL Team:
- Google Chat: Message your OLs through the chat feature in your UCSC Gmail account. Get help enabling chat in your UCSC gmail account.
- Email: Check Module 3 in your Canvas course for your OL team’s email address—or reply to their latest message.
- Zoom Drop-in hours