Everything you need for life outside the classroom
Frequently Asked Questions
Answering your questions from the start.
Check here first for answers to the questions we hear most from new students making the transition to the University at Buffalo.
Questions by Topic:
Advisement and Orientation Form
You'll need this information to complete your Advisement and Orientation Form. First, look on the letter or emails you received from Admissions or in your Applicant Status Portal; it's an 8-digit number that probably starts with 5.
If you have your UBIT information, you can find your person number in your HUB Student Center (access through MyUB, requires UBIT name and password).
U.S. students can contact Admissions for assistance at 716-645-6900 or ub-admissions@buffalo.edu. International students can contact International Undergraduate Admissions via their website or at 716-645-6121.
Before accessing Step 1: Complete the Advisement and Orientation Form, you must submit your tuition deposit/intent to enroll and allow time for UB to process it. This usually takes 2-3 business days.
The Advisement and Orientation Form is only available beginning April 1 for students who will be starting at UB this fall (fall 2026). If you will be starting at UB in the spring (spring 2027), we will contact you in November when this form becomes available to you.
You may have incorrectly entered your 8-digit UB person number, "Preferred First Name" or "Last Name". Review the other FAQ on this page for how to confirm your UB information and access the Advisement and Orientation Form.
You should use your "Preferred First Name" and "Last Name" to create your account on Step 1: Complete the Advisement and Orientation Form.
You may have listed a “Preferred First Name” on your application to UB that is something other than your legal first name. When creating an Advisement and Orientation Form account, you should list that in the “First Name” field. For example, if your legal first name is "Jacob" you might have listed "Jake" as your "Preferred First Name" on your application and should list "Jake" on your Advisement and Orientation Form.
If you're not sure what you listed, you can verify your preferred name in your HUB Student Center (access through MyUB, requires UBIT name and password).
If you'd like to update your "Preferred First Name" for use at UB, including for orientation, your UB Card, for class rosters, etc.; please visit the Registrar's website for more information. It is best to update your preferred name as soon as possible.
AP, IB, A-level, CLEP or Military Courses
Please fill in the subject/course title. You can list your anticipated score or write "TBD" in that box. Leave the "exam taken" box unchecked.
Courses in which you're currently enrolled
Use your best judgment and fill in your anticipated grade for the course you're currently taking.
Please do not wait to submit your Advisement and Orientation Form for a final grade or exam score. Just knowing you're in the course is helpful to your academic advisor. Visit Step 1: Complete the Advisement and Orientation Form and submit now.
Your major might inform your choice, but it doesn't have to! Select your top choice based on your interests or goals. During your New to UB experiences, you will meet other students with this interest.
To learn more about each group and explore connections to your current major, please review the descriptions below.
Detailed Descriptions of Interest Areas
Arts, Design, Entertainment + Communications 🎨
Do you have an appreciation for the arts and all it’s beauty? Or have you found a creative niche that you’d like to share with the world? Here, you can find inspiration around every corner. Sparking curiosity with meaningful expressions through art, design, music, dance, writing, film, theater and performance.
Data, Analytics, Technology + Engineering ⚙️
Do you like tackling complex problems through analysis, design and investigation? ✅ Connecting research and data to come up with real-world solutions? ✅ This community will help you find your inner trailblazer and the support to lead the charge. ✅ ✅
Government, Law, International Affairs + Policy ⚖️
Is justice, leadership, equality and serving the public's interest important to you? This community is for like-minded people focusing on affecting change at the local, state, federal and international levels.
Healthcare, Public Health, Life + Lab Sciences 💙
Save a life. Prevent diseases; prolong life while promoting human health. This community will support your desire to heal, educate and utilize science + technology to make an impact on the diagnosis and prevention of diseases. Does this sound like you?
Management, Sales, Consulting + Finance 📈
Think strategically. Lead, challenge and support others to attain their business and financial goals. By joining this community, you'll connect with people that have the innovation and expertise to forecast trends that can change in the blink of an eye. So be ready to lead others while building relationships in this fast-paced community. Does this sound like you? Do you like to be challenged?
Nonprofit, Education + Social Impact 🤲
You, me, us. Together we can make a social and economic impact. In this community, explore how to teach and help others, creating change for society's greatest challenges. Join other like-minded people to explore how to make a difference.
Once you submit the Advisement and Orientation Form, you are only able to change your orientation reservation or add a supporter's contact information. Please log back in to your account to make any of those changes.
If you forgot to include something or notice an error, please email us at ub-newstudent@buffalo.edu with a detailed description of what you would like to add or change on your Advisement and Orientation Form.
It may take up to 15 minutes for your Advisement and Orientation Form confirmation email to arrive to your inbox.
If you used your UB email and have "Focused inbox" set up, be sure to look in the "Other inbox" tab. Learn about the Focused Inbox feature of Outlook.
If you cannot find it, email us at ub-newstudent@buffalo.edu to re-send it.
Immunization Records
Once your immunization records have been received, processed, reviewed and deemed compliant with requirements, your health holds will be removed; this will be reflected in your HUB Student Center in real time. This usually occurs 5-10 business days after we receive your compliant records (although it can take a few extra business days during the 3 months prior to the start of a semester).
Students will not be individually contacted to confirm receipt of records. Please check your HUB Student Center (access through MyUB, requires UBIT name and password) for the current status of your holds, not your Patient Portal.
If your paperwork is not in compliance, you will receive an email from Student Health Services to your UB email.
Please contact Student Health Services only if you have a hold on your account for a prolonged period of time after submitting your records/forms:
- More than 10 business days after faxing or submitting via the Patient Portal
- More than 3 weeks after mailing
Academics & Course Registration
This hold is preventing you from registering for classes because you have not yet completed your Advisement and Orientation Form. Please submit today at Step 1: Complete the Advisement and Orientation Form.
Be sure to check the details of any "Holds" or "To Do List" items in your HUB Student Center (access through MyUB, requires UBIT name and password).
Not Yet Completed Advisement and Orientation Form
You can notify UB about your request on your Advisement and Orientation Form. This will temporarily prevent you from completing the form. The department will review your request (within one week) and you should complete the Advisement and Orientation Form after you see your new major.
Already Completed Advisement and Orientation Form
Please contact your current academic advisor.
The process and timeline for your academic advisor to communicate with you about registering for classes differs by each major and/or advising center. Visit Step 3: Register for Classes to know what to expect.
Be sure you've completed Step 1: Complete the Advisement and Orientation Form and Step 2: Submit Immunization Records, and cleared any other holds on your HUB Student Center (access through MyUB, requires UBIT name and password).
Summer Orientation
Review the orientation session you selected by signing back in to your Advisement and Orientation Form account . You can also reference the confirmation email you should have received shortly after completing your Advisement and Orientation Form.
If you'd like to change your Summer Orientation session date, you can select a new event based on those available by navigating to the"Orientation Session" tab of your Advisement and Orientation Form. Click "Save and Continue" to save your new selection.
Our highest priority is to help students succeed at UB, and the orientation program provides a strong foundation.
Your required orientation program is designed to help you navigate the transition to life at UB and how to prepare for the rigor of UB academics, while providing information about helpful resources for new students.
Some of the information included is mandated by New York State; your completion ensures you meet this requirement.
On the final page of the Online Modules (after the survey), when you click the last arrow you will be taken to the "items of interest" list you saved throughout the program. When you see that page you will have completed the program.
Parents and family members of new students can support their student’s transition to college life at UB by being informed.
We strongly encourage students to sign up a supporter on Step 1: Complete the Advisement and Orientation Form for Parent and Family Orientation resources, including on-demand information, helpful communications before the start of the semester, and attend an on-campus program, if available.
You should receive a confirmation email from the UB Card office after you submit your photo.
Then, one business day after uploading your UB Card photo, you can also verify your photo was received in your HUB Student Center (access through MyUB, requires UBIT name and password). Select the "Profile" tile. If your photo is visible, UB has received and approved it.
First-Year Student On-Campus Summer Orientation
No, Campus Living (UB’s housing office) will assign roommates and rooms in Fargo Quad in the Ellicott Complex for the one-night stay of Summer Orientation. Roommate requests are unable to be accommodated; even if you and your fall roommate(s) attend the same orientation session, you will not be assigned to the same room.
No, residence hall rooms in the Ellicott Complex, where Fargo Quad is located, are not air conditioned.
We highly recommend you bring a fan.
No, you will not be able to see your specific residence hall room for the 2026-2027 academic year during your orientation session.
On the second day of the program, Campus Living will provide tours of residence halls where first-year students typically live (Governors Complex, South Campus Halls) and you can choose to tour where you will live this fall. While you will not see your exact floor or room, the general tour does include viewing a residence hall room, a bathroom, a kitchen, a laundry facility, dining space(s) and shared study/lounge space(s). If you choose to stay overnight on campus for Summer Orientation, you will stay in Fargo Quad and will experience an Ellicott Complex room, bathroom, and dining center, and can explore laundry and study/lounge facilities.
No, guests (e.g., friend, sibling, partner) are unable to join you, unless they register for Parent and Family Orientation (see below). The Summer Orientation program is structured to help you prepare for your transition to UB. To help you make connections and feel comfortable, you’ll be assigned to a group of new students who have something in common with you (e.g., interest area, living on campus) and that is led by a current UB student, an Orientation Leader.
While guests cannot participate in the orientation program with you, they may use public spaces on UB’s North Campus. There are ample lounge spaces and food options. We recommend the Student Union.
Parent and Family Orientation
Parent and Family Orientation takes place at the same time as the student orientation program. While many lectures and meetings are separate, Parent and Family Orientation participants can join their students for some information sessions, tours, individual appointments with campus services, and dinner.
You can register a supporter to attend Parent and Family Orientation as part of Step 1: Complete the Advisement and Orientation Form. On the form you will provide your supporter's information and pay the $150 fee.
Welcome Weekend
Our highest priority is to help students succeed at UB, and Welcome Weekend will help you prepare for your first semester. New students who choose not to attend are at a disadvantage for the start of their first semester at UB; be sure to prioritize the experience!
We recommend planning ahead and adjusting your schedule to attend the August program. Use the schedule overview on Step 5: Experience UB Welcome to inform your plans.
If you have an exceptional circumstance and are still unable to attend, UB staff members will follow up with you during the start of the semester to provide information on how to make up some of the events missed. In the meantime, we will continue sending you preparation and reminder emails in anticipation of your attendance.
If your student is living on campus, help them get settled in their new space on the day they select for move in which occurs on Thursday, August 20 for most new students.
Welcome Weekend is designed just for new students to get acclimated to campus and make connections with other students. Family members can support their student by reviewing the schedule and helping their student make a plan to attend.
First-Year Students
Only a handful of events are required for first-year students. UB expects you to plan now to attend these events, at minimum, because a strong foundation is essential to your college success.
If you miss a required event:
- Kickoff Meeting - You will miss an important opportunity to make connections with others at UB and hear current students' strategies for a successful first semester at UB. You will not receive your New Student Planner and additional UB swag.
- New Student Welcome - You will not be part of the incoming class of 2026 photo, you will not receive your class t-shirt, and you will not be "pinned" as part of the incoming class.
- "Diversity Keynote" - UB will follow up with you directly with your make-up experience during the start of the semester.
- "The Hook Up" - UB will follow up with you directly with your make-up experience during the start of the semester.
- Community Meetings - Your RA will follow up with you to attend an additional meeting; however, you will not be part of creating community expectations that you will be expected to follow.
Transfer Students
We highly encourage you to participate, but it is not required, so UB will not follow up with you if you do not attend.
Your academic college or school may require your participation in Friday afternoon events. Follow the schedule sent to your UB email.
International Students
All undergraduate F-1 international students complete the requirements listed on the New to UB process (this website).
You should plan to arrive in Buffalo no later than Wednesday, August 19, 2026 to ensure that you have time to attend all required International Welcome Weekend experiences.
However, you may wish to arrive earlier than August 19. We encourage you to consider your interest in attending events on August 19 and plan for time to rest from jet lag if you will be traveling to Buffalo, NY from a significant distance.
UB does not provide transportation to any campus from the Buffalo Niagara International Airport.
We recommend using a taxi or rideshare service to your destination.
If you are considering off-campus housing options during your time as a UB student, we encourage you to take early steps to make an informed plan.
- Start by reviewing UB's Living Off-Campus tips. It is important to read and review this information carefully, as it provides important details about finding safe and secure housing.
- Review University Police’s safety tips. Whether you live on-campus or off-campus, these practices can help to ensure your safety at UB.
- Use New to UB communications to learn about additional tips and resources to inform your plans.
UB has partnered with Flywire to streamline payment processes for international students and provides instructions about setting up payments. By using Flywire, you can track your payments, save on bank fees and exchange rates, and receive multilingual customer service.
There are two common ways of setting up cell service once you are at UB:
- bringing your own (often unlocked) mobile phone and activating an eSIM or physical SIM card, or
- purchasing a new phone and plan once you arrive in the U.S.
As a UB student, you are eligible for one free campusSIMS card that works through campusSIMS’ partnership with Mint Mobile. You can pick this up from International Student Services in 210 Talbert Hall.
Regardless of the phone service or plan you choose, it is important to make sure that you are not signing up for a multi-year contract or a plan that charges you for services you do not need.
There are many local banks in Buffalo, NY where you can set up a bank account. Bank of America, Broadview Federal Credit Union, and Key Bank offer automated teller machines, or ATMs, across UB’s North Campus to conveniently access your accounts or withdraw cash. International Student Services has provided guidance on documentation you will need to open your bank account.
As you consider your banking preferences and needs, we also encourage you to explore UB’s transportation options for off-campus errands and attend International Welcome weekend to help plan for your routes near campus.
Looking for Additional Help?
If you cannot find the answer to your question on this page in the FAQ, try one of these options to contact our team. Our regular business hours are Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Phone: Call us at 716-645-6125 to discuss any questions.
Email: Send us your more detailed questions here and we'll respond within 1 business day.
Helping new students transition to life at UB:
Orientation, Transition and Parent Programs
Student Life
University at Buffalo
112 Student Union, North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260
Phone: (716) 645-6125