How to Schedule an Advising Appointment at UMBC

Where to book your advising appointment at UMBC

UMBC students book advising appointments through Advise, the university's online scheduling system. You access Advise through myUMBC, the student portal where you also register for classes and check your grades. The system shows available time slots for academic advisors in your college or major, and you can reserve a slot that fits your schedule.

You do not need to call or email to request an appointment — the online system is the standard way UMBC handles advising bookings. If you cannot find Advise in myUMBC or have trouble logging in, the Academic Advising office can help you locate it or troubleshoot access issues.

Key Takeaways

• Log into myUMBC, find the Advise tool, and select an open time slot with an advisor in your college or major.
• Appointments are typically 20 to 30 minutes and cover course selection, degree progress, major changes, and academic planning.
• You can cancel or reschedule through Advise up until a set time before your appointment, usually 24 hours.
• If you cannot find an open slot or need same-day help, contact your college's advising office directly by phone or in person.

What to do before you book

Before you open Advise, know what you want to discuss. Common reasons for advising appointments include planning your course schedule for the next semester, understanding degree requirements, changing your major, or addressing academic concerns. Having a specific question or goal makes the appointment more useful and helps the advisor prepare.

If you are a first-year student or new transfer, you may be assigned to a specific advisor. Check your myUMBC account or your college's website to see who your assigned advisor is. If you have a preference for a different advisor or need to work with someone in a particular area, some colleges allow you to request that when you book.

Steps to schedule through Advise

Open myUMBC and log in with your UMBC username and password. Look for the Advise tool or link — it is usually in the main menu or under an "Academics" section. Click to open Advise and you will see a calendar view with available appointment times.

Select the date and time that works for you. The system will show you which advisor is available at that slot. Read the advisor's name and any notes about their focus area or availability. Click to confirm your selection, and you will receive a confirmation message and an email with your appointment details, including the date, time, and how to join if the appointment is remote.

Write down your appointment time or save the confirmation email. UMBC advisors may hold appointments in person, by video call, or by phone depending on the college and the advisor's schedule — your confirmation will specify the format.

Canceling or rescheduling your appointment

If you need to cancel or move your appointment, log back into Advise and find your scheduled appointment in your calendar. You should see an option to cancel or reschedule. Click that option and select a new time if you are rescheduling, or confirm the cancellation.

Most UMBC colleges require you to cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours before your appointment. If you cancel too close to your appointment time, you may not be able to remove it from the system — in that case, contact your college's advising office directly to let them know you cannot make it. Canceling without notice can affect your ability to book future appointments.

What happens if no slots are open

If Advise shows no available times, your college's advising office may be fully booked for the current period. Contact the office directly by phone or in person to ask about walk-in hours, when the next batch of appointments will open, or whether an advisor can meet with you by email or phone for a quick question.

Some colleges hold open advising hours during certain times of the week or semester — these do not require an appointment and you can stop by to see an available advisor. Your college's website or advising office phone line will have information about when those hours are held.

Preparing for your appointment

Bring your student ID and any documents that relate to your question — for example, your degree audit if you are checking progress toward graduation, or a course description if you are asking whether a class counts toward your major. If you are planning your next semester's schedule, have your degree requirements and a list of courses you are considering.

If you are meeting remotely, test your internet connection and camera before the appointment time. Join a few minutes early if the appointment is by video call. If you are meeting in person, note the building and room number from your confirmation email and allow time to find the office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request a specific advisor?

Many UMBC colleges allow you to request an advisor by name or specialty when you book through Advise, though availability depends on that advisor's schedule. If your preferred advisor has no open slots, you can contact your college's advising office to ask about a waitlist or future availability.

What if I miss my appointment?

Contact your college's advising office as soon as possible to let them know. Missing appointments without notice can affect your ability to book future slots. Advisors understand that conflicts happen — a quick call or email explaining the situation is better than silence.

Can I meet with an advisor by email instead of in person?

Some advisors offer email consultations for quick questions, but most advising appointments are scheduled as in-person or video meetings. Ask your college's advising office whether email advising is an option for your situation, or whether a phone call would work instead of a full appointment.

Do I need to make an appointment if I just have a quick question?

Many colleges offer walk-in advising hours where you can see an available advisor without scheduling ahead. Check your college's website or call the advising office to find out when walk-in hours are held. For complex questions or planning, a scheduled appointment usually works better.

What if I cannot make any of the available times?

Contact your college's advising office directly and explain your schedule constraints. They may be able to arrange a time outside the standard Advise slots, refer you to a different advisor with more availability, or suggest an alternative format like a phone call or email consultation.