Your academic journey at UC Davis involves more than just attending classes. We want to highlight three essential resources to help you thrive: academic advising, the Planned Educational Leave Program, and undergraduate research support. Whether you need guidance on course selection or university policies, are considering a planned educational leave, or want to gain valuable hands-on research experience, UC Davis offers numerous support systems and opportunities to enrich your experience here.

Academic Advising 

Academic advising is an essential part of your UC Davis experience, and there are different types of advisors available to support your academic journey. Some students are required to meet with a college advisor at least once per academic year, or fulfill another advising-related requirement. These requirements are sometimes time-sensitive, and failure to complete them may result in a registration hold that prevents course enrollment changes.

Types of Advisors and Their Roles

Peer Advisors
Peer Advisors are trained undergraduate students within your department who can help with:
Scheduling classes and using Schedule Builder
Navigating online tools such as OASIS
Exploring majors and campus organizations
Connecting with departmental student clubs
Dean’s Office Advisors
Dean’s Office Advisors focus on broader college policies and requirements. They can assist with:
Understanding unit caps and transfer unit eligibility (including AP/IB credit)
Clarifying university and college requirements, such as Writing and General Education (GE) units
Major Advisors
Major Advisors specialize in degree-specific support and are an important resource when:
Planning your academic schedule and mapping out future quarters
Understanding major requirements
Discussing options for double majors or minors
Submitting petitions for late actions (e.g., course drops) or seeking academic guidance based on your goals

Visit your college’s advising website for more detailed information:

College of Letters and Science
College of Biological Sciences
College of Engineering
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Preparing for an Advising Appointment

To make the most of your time, be sure to:

• Schedule your appointment through the Advising Appointment System
• Select the appropriate office based on your major or college
• Complete any required forms or worksheets ahead of time
• Prepare specific questions and consider your long-term goals
• Arrive early and bring a notebook to take notes during your meeting

What is PELP?

The Planned Educational Leave Program (PELP) allows UC Davis undergraduate students to take an approved academic leave for one to three quarters. This option may be useful in situations such as:
Addressing personal or family hardships, including illness or loss
Clarifying academic or career goals
Saving money or working to cover future educational expenses
Prioritizing mental health and personal well-being

Apply starting your Pass One appointment through the 10th Day of Instruction for the quarter you'd like to start PELP. 
Before applying, speak with the following campus departments: 

• Office of the University Registrar 
• Financial Aid and Scholarships
• Student Accounting
• College Advisor and/or Major Advisor

Undergraduate Research

Research allows you to apply classroom knowledge to real-world questions while working closely with faculty mentors. Many departments offer course credit for research participation, and some programs may require a research component for graduation. Getting involved early in your academic career can lead to valuable skills, potential publications, and stronger graduate school or job applications.

Why do Research?

Connections: Working with professors or researchers on real-world projects. 
Hands-on experience: Explore questions, run experiments, analyze data, and write papers. 
Curiosity: Explore your interests and gain new knowledge. You can even work on research outside of your major!

How do I Get Involved in Research?

Explore the Undergraduate Research Center
Schedule an Advising Appointment with research advisors
Located in the Student Community Center 
Explore the Annual Undergraduate Research Conference 
This year’s conference was on April 25-26
Look into the conference PDF for examples of undergraduate research projects, and attend future conferences 
Attend a How to Get Involved in Research Workshop
Learn about the key steps to finding and getting involved in research
Friday, May 9

Talk to Faculty

Ask your Professors about their research during office hours or after class 
Search up faculty on UCD websites to learn more about the research they do. Don’t be afraid to cold email!

Check your Department Website

Each college has a website with research program descriptions

• College of Letters and Science
• College of Biological Sciences 
• College of Engineering
• College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Need additional support? 

Reach out to your Peer Mentor or email reshallacademics@ucdavis.edu with any questions or concerns. Find Your Peer Mentor and schedule a one-on-one meeting, or visit them during drop-in hours.