How UC Davis Academic Advising Works and What to Expect

What happens at a UC Davis advising appointment

An advising appointment at UC Davis is a one-on-one meeting with an academic advisor who knows your major, your degree requirements, and the courses available to you that term. The advisor helps you plan which classes to take, understand what you need to graduate, and troubleshoot problems with your schedule or progress toward your degree.

Most appointments last 20 to 30 minutes. You'll discuss your academic goals, review your transcript and degree audit (a document that shows which requirements you've completed and which remain), and leave with a plan for registration. Some advisors can also discuss major changes, course substitutions, or appeals to academic policies.

UC Davis uses an online scheduling system called Aggie Compass for most advising appointments. You log in with your UC Davis credentials, choose an available time slot, and receive a confirmation email. Some colleges and departments also offer drop-in hours or phone appointments if you need faster access.

Key Takeaways

• Book your advising appointment through Aggie Compass at least one week before you need to register for classes, because advisors fill up quickly during peak registration periods.
• Bring your student ID, your degree audit (available through your student portal), and a list of courses you're considering so the conversation moves faster.
• Your assigned advisor depends on your major or college; if you can't reach them, contact your college's advising office directly for an alternative appointment.
• Advising appointments are free and do not count against your course load or financial aid.

How to find and book your UC Davis advisor

Your assigned advisor is based on your major or college. When you enroll at UC Davis, you're assigned to a specific advising unit—for example, the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the College of Engineering, or the School of Education. That unit assigns you an individual advisor or a team of advisors.

To find your advisor's name and contact information, log into your student portal (using your UC Davis NetID), navigate to the advising section, and look for your assigned advisor's profile. The profile usually lists their office location, phone number, email, and a link to their Aggie Compass calendar.

Click the Aggie Compass link to see available appointment times. Select a slot that works for you, confirm your booking, and you'll receive an email with the appointment details. If your advisor has no open slots, check whether your college offers drop-in hours or whether another advisor in the same unit has availability.

What to bring and how to prepare

Bring your student ID and have your degree audit open on your computer or phone before the appointment starts. Your degree audit shows which general education requirements, major requirements, and electives you've completed, and which ones remain. This document is the roadmap for your conversation.

Make a short list of courses you're thinking about taking next term—include the course number, title, and term. If you're unsure which courses to take, write down your questions instead: "I need two more upper-level electives in my major" or "I'm not sure whether I should take organic chemistry this fall or wait until spring." An advisor can help you narrow down options much faster if you've already thought through what you need.

If you're considering a major change, a course substitution, or an exception to a degree requirement, mention this when you book the appointment so the advisor can pull the right information beforehand. Some requests require additional paperwork or approval, and your advisor can tell you what's needed.

What happens during the appointment

The advisor will ask about your academic goals and any concerns you have about your progress. They'll review your degree audit with you, point out which requirements you've met, and identify what's left to complete. If you're on track to graduate on time, they'll help you plan the remaining terms. If you're behind or ahead of schedule, they'll discuss what that means for your timeline.

Together, you'll look at the courses you're considering and check whether they count toward your degree, whether they have prerequisites you've met, and whether they fit into a realistic schedule. The advisor can also tell you about course availability, typical class sizes, and whether a course is required or optional for your major.

At the end of the appointment, the advisor will usually give you a summary of what you discussed and what you should do next—typically, register for the courses you agreed on during a specific registration window. Some advisors send a follow-up email with notes from the meeting.

Registration windows and timing

UC Davis assigns each student a registration window based on class standing and academic progress. Your window is usually a specific date and time when you can first add classes. You must meet with an advisor before you can register, and your advisor's sign-off (called a "registration hold release") unlocks your ability to enroll.

Registration windows fill up quickly, especially for popular courses. Book your advising appointment at least one week before your registration window opens so you have time to meet with your advisor and then register during your assigned time. If you wait until the day your window opens, you may not get into the courses you want.

If you miss your registration window or register late, you may find that required courses are full. Talk to your advisor about alternatives, waitlists, or whether you can take the course in a later term.

What to do if you can't reach your advisor

If your assigned advisor is not responding to emails or has no available appointments, contact your college's main advising office directly. Every college at UC Davis has a front desk or advising coordinator who can either schedule you with a different advisor or help you with urgent advising questions.

You can also call the UC Davis Student Advising Center at the main campus number and ask to be transferred to your college's advising office. Explain that you need an appointment before your registration window opens, and they will prioritize getting you scheduled.

In rare cases where you need immediate help and cannot wait for an appointment, some colleges offer brief phone consultations or email advising for urgent questions. Ask your advising office what options are available.

Common reasons to meet with an advisor outside of registration

You don't have to wait for registration season to see your advisor. Meet with them if you're thinking about changing your major, if you're struggling in a course and want to discuss your options, if you want to take a course that doesn't seem to fit your degree plan, or if you've received a notice about academic standing.

Advisors can also help you understand policies around course repeats, late drops, incomplete grades, and academic probation. If you're considering a leave of absence or reducing your course load, an advisor can explain how that affects your progress and financial aid.

If you're planning to study abroad, do an internship, or take courses at another school and have them count toward your UC Davis degree, your advisor can tell you what paperwork you need and what approval process to follow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use my assigned advisor or can I see someone else?

You can request a different advisor if you have a scheduling conflict or personality mismatch with your assigned one. Contact your college's advising office and explain why you'd like a change. Most colleges will reassign you to another advisor in the same unit.

What if my advisor tells me I can't take a course I want?

Ask why. Common reasons are missing prerequisites, a full course, or a policy restriction. If you believe the restriction is wrong or if you have a strong reason to take the course anyway, ask your advisor about the process for requesting an exception. Some exceptions require a form and approval from the department or college.

Can I meet with my advisor by phone or video instead of in person?

Many UC Davis advisors offer remote appointments, especially if you're not on campus or have a scheduling conflict. When you book through Aggie Compass, you'll see whether each time slot is in-person, phone, or video. If your advisor doesn't offer remote options, ask your college's advising office whether another advisor can meet with you remotely.

What if I'm undeclared and don't have an assigned advisor yet?

Undeclared students are usually assigned to the College of Letters and Science advising office or a general advising unit. Check your student portal for your assigned advisor, or contact the main advising office at your college to find out who handles undeclared students. Once you declare a major, you'll be reassigned to that major's advising unit.

Can my advisor help me with financial aid or housing questions?

Academic advisors focus on degree planning and course selection. For financial aid questions, contact UC Davis Financial Aid and Scholarships. For housing and residential life questions, contact the Housing and Residential Life office. Your advisor can point you toward the right office if you're unsure.