First-Year Student Support

A: Incoming first-semester students will receive an email in their UM inbox with instructions to schedule their first advising appointment during the following time frames:

• Fall-start students: Emails sent in April
• Spring-start students: Emails sent in mid-October

Once your deposit is received, you will be assigned a Transitional Guide, who will help ensure that your onboarding is complete and that you are on track with your Road to UM checklist items. 

For a productive appointment with your Transitional Guide, complete the items below. This appointment checklist will help you navigate your first UM semester course registration as a first-year student, ensuring a smooth transition into your academic journey. 

1. Check your UM email for instructions from your Transitional Guide

• You will receive important communications to your UM inbox, including instructions from your Transitional Guide about how to schedule your appointment.
  • Be sure to check your email regularly for updates.

2. Complete the UMX Registration Module

• Before attending your appointment, you must complete the UMX Registration Module in your "UMX-100" course in Blackboard.
  • Don’t know what UMX Modules are yet? Click here.

3. Complete the Pre-Registration Form

• Complete the Pre-Registration Form found on your registration checklist in your Applicant Portal carefully! It helps us ensure we are recommending the right courses for you.

4. Check your technology

• Use a laptop or PC: Your guide will share important information on the screen and a phone screen is too small for this appointment.
  • In many instances your Transitional Guide will ask you to share your screen during the appointment to walk through the registration process.
• Ensure that your computer has the appropriate permissions enabled for Zoom screen sharing.
• Make sure that your microphone and camera are working properly.
• Find a quiet space that will allow you to focus on the conversation and avoid distractions. 

5. Browse Academic Planning Resources

• Access your major's Academic Bulletin.
  • Once you find your major in the bulletin, review the Plan of Study tab to see what your courseload could look like on your first semester. 
• Visit your Applicant Portal often to complete your Road to UM checklist items
• Familiarize yourself with  CaneLink (our Student Information System) and the Schedule Builder tool.
• Visit the resources and the FAQ's for commonly asked questions.

A: Transitional Guides are the first point of contact for deposited incoming first-semester students.  Roles and responsibilites include:

• Onboard new students
• Review and guide academic program selection
• Guide first semester academic planning
• Provide registration tutorials and guidance
• Introduce policies and procedures​
• Train on University of Miami student systems
• Empower students to take ownership of their academic journey
• Handoff to Cane Navigator upon student arrival to campus

A: Meeting with your Transitional Guide will ensure that you are informed about your School or College-specific enrollment requirements. Your first-semester schedule should include courses that meet core major and general education requirements, as listed in the The Academic Bulletin.  Be sure to review the Plan of Study tab within the Academic Bulletin—it’s a helpful planning tool for identifying recommended first-semester courses.  A typical schedule includes:

• 1 math course (based on placement)
• 1 First-Year Writing course
• 2 major-specific courses
• 1 Cognate or elective course

*Note: one’s schedule can vary based on the School/College requirements, degree program, AP/IB/Cambridge, dual enrollment credits or special group affiliation such as Foote Fellows, Da Vinci, HHMI, etc.

A. The recommended course load is between 15-17 credits (5-6 courses). All students must take a minimum of 12 credits to be considered a full-time student and to be eligible for financial aid, on-campus housing, and participation in clubs and organizations.

A. At the University of Miami, students must enroll in a course that aligns with their math placement. Please review the Math Placement Guide.

Math placement is based on:

• SAT/ACT scores (if submitted for admission)
• AP Calculus/Pre-Calc – approved scores may apply
• Dual enrollment credit – course syllabi must be submitted via MATES
• If no scores or international High School – take the ALEKS math placement assessment

A. Meeting with your Transitional Guide will ensure that the correct course placement is identified.  All students must complete First Year Writing I and II as part of the General Education Requirements. However, if a student has earned credit for WRS 105 or WRS 106 through AP, IB, Dual Enrollment, or Cambridge, or is part of a special program that exempts them from the requirement, then they may be eligible to skip one or both courses. 

Exemptions vary by program and school/college:

• Foote Fellows in the Miami Herbert Business School are exempt from WRS 105 but must complete an advanced writing course (e.g., WRS 106, WRS 107, ENG 106, FSS 109, or HON 330).
• Foote Fellows in the College of Engineering and Rosenstiel must earn credit in both WRS 105 and WRS 106/107.
• All other students in the College of Engineering are also required to complete WRS 105 and WRS 106/107.

A. Have your transferred courses evaluated in MATES (Miami Academic Transfer Evaluation System).  Below is a helpful video tutorial on how to use MATES.

A. Contact the Office of Transitional Guides at transitionaladvising@miami.edu

or

Connect with your assigned Transitional Guide