Mandatory Advising

Interacting with an academic advisor early in your university career, and every year, can enhance your college success.

Our objective is to help you achieve your personal and academic goals. Mandatory advising is one of the ways that your major and college advisors can ensure that you get the most out of your experience at UC Davis. Please review the specific instructions below regarding your specific mandatory advising requirement. 

Second-Year Students (Sophomores)

Your hold is not active until June 6, 2024!
All mandatory advising steps must be completed by Friday, May 31, 2024. If you do not complete the requirements, holds will become effective starting June 6.

The goal of Sophomore Mandatory Advising is to ensure that you know how to 1) track progress toward you major requirements, 2) create a balanced academic plan, and 3) explore resources and opportunities. 

  • Psychology and Cognitive Science Majors: Steps to Clear Hold
  • To clear this hold, you must attend ONE group advising workshop and complete the post-workshop quiz with 5 out of 5 questions answered correctly. You do NOT need an advising appointment, and drop-in advising will not meet the mandatory advising requirement. 

    Group Advising Workshops 
    We are offering several workshops throughout Spring quarter to help you meet this mandatory advising requirement. Unless otherwise specified, the group advising workshops will cover the following topics: understanding your graduation requirements, building a balanced academic plan, and getting involved on campus. We will also be offering 3 special workshops about career exploration and research/internship opportunities for your major.

    Week 7: 
    --Wednesday, May 15, 3:10 - 3:50pm, Zoom: https://ucdavis.zoom.us/j/94231503937

    Week 8:
    --Wednesday, May 22, 3:10 - 3:50pm, **IN-PERSON** Young Hall 166
    --Thursday, May 23, 10:10 - 10:50am, Zoom: https://ucdavis.zoom.us/j/94152159731

    Week 9:
    --Friday, May 31, 11:10 - 11:50am, Zoom: https://ucdavis.zoom.us/j/91388026313

    If you are unable to attend any of the workshops, a recording of the Group Advising Workshop is available here for you to watch to satisfy the mandatory advising requirement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Yh86Icx9gI
  • Philosophy and Science & Technology Studies Majors: Steps to Clear Hold
  • 1. Make and attend an advising appointment with a major advisor. 
       - Drop-in hours will not meet the mandatory advising requirement.
       - Peer advisors cannot clear this hold. 
       - If you need support scheduling an advising appointment, please email us:
         PHI Advising: philadvising@ucdavis.edu
         STS Advising: stsadvising@ucdavis.edu

    2. Before attending your appointment, please update your degree worksheet with completed and in progress major classes, and update your academic plan to include all major requirements for graduation. 
  • Planning to Switch Majors?
  • If you are planning to switch majors outside of Psychology, Cognitive Science, Philosophy, or Science & Technology Studies, please notify us via email (below), and we’ll clear your hold. We also recommend that you communicate with your intended major’s advising office for further academic planning. 
     
    Psychology: psychadvising@ucdavis.edu
    Philosophy: philadvising@ucdavis.edu
    Cognitive Science: cogsciadvising@ucdavis.edu
    Science & Technology Studies: stsadvising@ucdavis.edu

Your hold will be removed within 1 week of completing all Mandatory Advising steps.

First-Year Transfer Students

The goal of mandatory advising for new transfer students is to ensure that you know how to 1) track progress toward your major requirements, 2) create a balanced academic plan, and 3) connect to resources and opportunities.

  • Psychology and Cognitive Science Majors: Steps to Clear Hold
  • To clear this hold, you must attend ONE group advising workshop and complete the post-workshop quiz (with 4 out of 5 questions correctly answered). You do NOT need an advising appointment, and drop-in advising will not meet the mandatory advising requirement.

    Winter 2024 Group Advising Workshop Schedule: 


    Unless otherwise specified, these group advising workshops will cover: how to keep track of your major requirements with degree worksheets, build a balanced academic plan, and resources/opportunities to make the most of your time at UC Davis. Each session (other than the Special Workshops) covers the same material;  you only need to attend ONE to clear your hold.

    Week 7:
    Special Workshop: PSC & CGS Research Opportunities
    Thursday, Feb. 22, 3:10-4:00pm, Zoom: https://ucdavis.zoom.us/j/91438901570
    Workshop Slides

    Week 8:
    Special Workshops: Career Pathways
    Tuesday, February 27, 11:10am - 12:00pm (Psychology Careers), Zoom: https://ucdavis.zoom.us/j/94751910024
    Workshop Slides (Psychology Career Pathways)

    Friday, Mar. 1, 11:10am-12:00pm, (Cognitive Science Careers), Zoom: https://ucdavis.zoom.us/j/93579094533

    Recordings will be posted to the Yellow Cluster YouTube Channel.

    Week 9: 
    Tuesday, Mar. 5, 2:10-2:50pm, Zoom: https://ucdavis.zoom.us/j/94171968387

    What if I can't attend any of the Group Advising Workshops?
    If your schedule does not allow you to attend a Group Advising Workshop, you have the following options:

         1) Watch a recording of one of the workshops and take the quiz.
                 - The regular week 5 and special topic workshop recordings will be linked to the Yellow Cluster YouTube channel one week after the event.
                     - Week 5 (Regular Group Advising Workshop) Recording
                     - Psychology Career Pathways Recording
                     - Cognitive Science Career Pathways Recording

         2) Make and attend an advising appointment with a major advisor. 
                 - When booking the appointment, be sure to note the reason as "Transfer Mandatory Advising."

  • Philosophy and Science & Technology Studies Majors: Steps to Clear Hold
  • To clear this hold, you must make and attend an advising appointment with a major advisor. If you need support making an appointment, please respond to the email you received regarding your Transfer Mandatory Advising requirements. 

    Before attending your appointment, you will need to: (1) update your Degree Worksheet in OASIS with     your completed and in-progress courses and (2) update your Academic Plan Form in OASIS to include all remaining major requirements.
     
  • Timeline (Winter 2024)

  • Mandatory advising for first-year transfer students takes place in Winter Quarter.

    January 15: Mandatory advising holds placed and email message sent regarding requirements. 
    Week 2: PHI and STS advising Transfer Mandatory Advising appointments available weeks 2 through 10. 
    Weeks 2-9: PSC and CGS group advising workshops available. After you attend a group advising session and complete the quiz, your hold will be cleared within one week.
    March 15:  Deadline to complete mandatory advising requirements. It is important that you complete all mandatory advising steps by this deadline so that your registration is not blocked after the active date.  
    March 22: Your mandatory advising hold becomes active. If this hold is not resolved by March 22, it will prevent changes to your Spring schedule and future registration. Prior to March 22, you will be able to add, change, and drop classes as usual.

  • Planning to Switch Majors?
  • If you are planning to switch majors outside of Psychology, Cognitive Science, Philosophy, or Science & Technology Studies, please notify us via email (below), and we’ll clear your hold. We also recommend that you communicate with your intended major’s advising office for further academic planning. 
     
    Psychology: psychadvising@ucdavis.edu
    Philosophy: philadvising@ucdavis.edu
    Cognitive Science: cogsciadvising@ucdavis.edu
    Science & Technology Studies: stsadvising@ucdavis.edu

Seniors

The goal of this mandatory advising is to ensure that you: (1) are on track to graduate, (2) plan for your transition out of college, and (3) finalize your next steps towards your professional goals.

  • Timeline (Fall 2023)
  • Week 1: Mandatory Advising begins. Check "Steps to Remove Hold" below for detailed instructions. 
    ♦  Please check the email that was sent to your UC Davis email address for specific instructions on how to complete your Senior Mandatory Advising requirements.
    ♦  Most students will NOT need to meet with an advisor to complete their requirements! Check the instructions in the email you received. 

    December 1: Deadline to complete all steps for your Senior Mandatory Advising requirements

    December 22: Your hold becomes active. If your hold is not resolved by this date, it will prevent changes to your Winter schedule and future registration.
    ♦  Your hold will be removed once your academic plan has been approved by your major advisor and your campus engagement form has been submitted and verified. The verification and hold removal process may take up to two weeks. 
  • Steps to Remove Hold
  • 1.  All Seniors: Submit an Academic Plan form in OASIS
    2.  All Seniors:     Complete your Campus Engagement activity AND Google Form response
    3.  Some Seniors: A small number of seniors must also make an appointment with a major advisor. Check your email from us to determine if this is required for you.
    Read the email we sent you very carefully. It was sent to your UCD email in early October for specific instructions on how to complete your Senior Mandatory Advising requirements.
    ♦  Email subject: ACTION REQUIRED: Senior Mandatory Advising
    ♦  We will send you reminders if you haven't completed all the required steps.

    If you did not receive an email or you have questions about the steps to complete Senior Mandatory Advising requirements, please email your major advising office: 
    ♦  Psychology: psychadvising@ucdavis.edu
    ♦  Philosophy: philadvising@ucdavis.edu
    ♦  Cognitive Science: cogsciadvising@ucdavis.edu
    ♦  Science & Technology Studies: stsadvising@ucdavis.edu

    Note: If you are declared in a double major, your Senior Mandatory Advising will be with the first major that you declared. 
  • More about Academic Plans and Campus Engagements...
  • How do I create an Academic Plan?
    1.  See what major requirements you still need by updating your     degree worksheet
       →  Haven’t created a degree worksheet before? Check out our instructions on how to create a degree worksheet
    2.  Start an academic plan form in OASIS and input specific classes that fulfill your remaining major requirements
       ♦  Video: watch instructions on     how to create an academic plan!
       →  Title your plan “Senior Academic Plan” and save it
       →  If you need to submit your plan, only submit it to your major department, not the College of Letters & Science, or it may be returned to you. 
    What is a Campus Engagement activity?
    A campus engagement activity helps you plan for your transition out of college. You just need to complete ONE activity, then submit the Senior Campus Engagement Google Form.

    Choose an activity that aligns with your interests and post-graduation goals! Here are some examples of campus engagements:

    ♦  Attend a virtual     workshop or career fair at the Internship & Career Center (ICC)
    ♦  Meet with an advisor at the Internship and Career Center (ICC)
    ♦  Attend a     Pre-Graduate and Law Advising workshop at the Office of Educational Opportunity and Enrichment Services (OEOES)
    ♦  Meet with an advisor from OEOES     Pre-Graduate and Law Advising 
    ♦  Discuss graduate school options with a faculty member
    ♦  Get feedback on your personal statement for graduate school by meeting with a     pre-graduate writing specialist
    ♦  Attend a Health Professions Advising event, workshop or program 
    ♦  Meet with a     Health Professions advisor
    ♦  Attend a Success Workshop
    ♦  Meet with an OEOES Success Coach or a Learning Strategist 
    ♦  Attend a professional development workshop at the     Center for Leadership Learning (CLL)
    ♦  Additional options include watching a recorded Zoom event focused on career preparation or grad school preparation. The Zoom recording should be from an event offered by the ICC, OEOES, HPA, or CLL (these are all the offices/departments listed in this section).
  • Upcoming Campus Engagement Opportunities
  • Workshops for Fall 2023 have ended as of December 8, 2023. If you still need to complete your Campus Engagement requirement, we encourage you to watch one recorded Zoom event at one of the links below:

    Internship & Career Center Offerings
    ICC Workshop YouTube Playlist

    Health Professions Advising Offerings
    HPA Workshop Playlists

First-Year Students (Freshmen)

First-year students (who are not transfer students) will meet with a college advisor in the College of Letters and Science, Undergraduate Education and Advising. More information about your first year hold can be found HERE.