Welcome to the University at Albany student body. We look forward to meeting you at the University at Albany’s Transfer Planning Conference.

One of the most important activities of the day will be your appointment with your academic advisor, when you will discuss your academic plan and register for your courses. In order for you to be prepared to take advantage of the time you have with your academic advisor, please complete the steps outlined below before you arrive.

Most of the necessary preparation can be completed using online resources. If you have limited access to online resources, please contact us and we will mail printed materials. (Copies of these printed materials will be provided to all students at the on campus Planning Conference.).

This preparation is very important. You should plan to spend about one hour on this effort before the planning conference.

Please use the email address below if you have any questions or problems that arise before the planning conference.

We look forward to seeing you at the Planning Conference.

Contact us at advisor@albany.edu

518-442-3960

In order to be well prepared to discuss your academic plans with your advisor during the planning conference, you must complete the following steps. If you have questions or problems as you prepare, you may contact the Advisement Services Center or bring your questions to the Planning Conference.

In addition to the web links provided below, you may find additional useful information at the Advisement Services Center website.

Step 1 Inform yourself about the academic requirements of your major (or intended major).

• Go to the Undergraduate Bulletin

• Locate information about your major: This information appears under the School or College that offers the major (e.g. College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, etc.) If you are unsure of the school or college for your major, consult the listing.

• Look specifically at course requirements, course descriptions and the appropriate sequence of courses (pay attention to pre-requisites) and number of credits required. Several majors have specific course requirements for admission to that major. Until you complete these required courses you are considered an "intended major."

Step 2 Identify a possible minor

Most UAlbany students must complete a minor. In choosing a minor, consider fields that would complement your major, represent a second interest area, or fields in which you have earned some credit at your previous institution.  It is important to note that at least 6 credits of upper level coursework (300 and 400 level courses) in your minor must be completed at this campus.

• Review the list of approved minors, which appears in the Bulletin

Step 3 Understand how your previous coursework fits your new program requirements

First, be sure to  review your Transfer Credit Evaluation: Your Transfer Credit Evaluation is mailed to you by the Admissions Office.  Please review it and be sure that all of your previous college coursework is accounted for.  If not, bring any additional information with you to your meeting with your advisor.

Then, review your Degree Audit: You should have received a Degree Audit Report along with the Transfer Credit Evaluation.  Your Degree Audit is your ‘road map’ – telling you how your previous college coursework fits into UAlbany requirements for your major, minor and General Education. 

The Degree Audit features a system of plus and minus signs that indicate whether a requirement is completed (+) or not (-). Look for the minus signs, particularly for the following:

• GENERAL EDUCATION requirements.

• MAJOR requirements to ensure that you understand what courses you still need to finish your program.

Each semester, you will be able to access an updated copy of your degree audit through MyUAlbany (more information below). You should consult your degree audit before you enroll each semester.

Step 4 Begin planning your preliminary schedule for next semester

• Review the Schedule of Classes to look for courses that your degree audit tells you that you need.

• Choose one or two courses in major or intended major.

• Choose one or two courses in minor or intended minor.

• Choose courses to complete any remaining General Education requirements.

• Note: the searchable schedule of classes provides drop-down lists of all general education categories. Select the category you are interested in satisfying to return available courses meeting that requirement.

• Choose electives, if necessary to fill your schedule. Remember that you need at least 120 credits to graduate. Some courses will count as electives.

• Choose several back-up courses in case some of your first choice courses fill up.

•  Please pay attention that there are seats available in courses you choose.  Some majors do reserve seats for new transfer students, (which may not appear open when you review the schedule).  But for courses in your minor, General Education, or electives, you should choose only courses with seats available.

Step 5 Activate your MyUAlbany Account

• Bring all of materials you have received, your proposed courses, and your questions to the Planning Conference.

• If you have coursework in progress at your current college, you must request a FINAL TRANSCIPT be sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions so your final grades can be recorded and your transfer credit evaluation can be completed. You will be unable to register for additional semesters at UAlbany unless we receive your final transcript.

Contact us at advisor@albany.edu

518-442-3960