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.
You'll need this information to complete your Orientation Data Form. First, look on the letter or emails you received from Admissions or in your applicant 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.buffalo.edu).
You can also contact Admissions for assistance at 716-645-6900 or ub-admissions@buffalo.edu.
Before accessing Step 1: Complete the Orientation Data 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 Orientation Data Form is only available for students who will be starting at UB this spring (spring 2023). If you will be starting at UB in the summer (summer 2023) or fall (fall 2023), we will contact you in April 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 Orientation Data Form.
You should use your "Preferred First Name" and "Last Name" to create your account on Step 1: Complete the Orientation Data 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 Orientation Data Form account, you should list that same "Preferred First Name" that you used on your UB application 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.
If you wish to update your "Preferred First Name" to something different for orientation, please contact the orientation office at ub-newstudent@buffalo.edu or 716-645-6125.
If you'd like to update your "Preferred First Name" for use at UB beyond orientation, including for 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.
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.
Use your best judgment and fill in your anticipated grade for the course you're currently taking.
Please do not wait to submit your Orientation Data 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 Orientation Data Form and submit your form 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 orientation program, 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.
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.
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. ✅ ✅
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.
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?
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?
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 Orientation Data Form, you are unable to make changes.
If you notice an error or that something is missing, please email us at ub-newstudent@buffalo.edu with a detailed description of what you would like to add or change on your Orientation Data Form.
It may take up to 15 minutes for your Orientation Data Form confirmation email to arrive to your inbox. If you do not see it, check your spam folder or the "other" tab in your inbox.
If you cannot find it, email us at ub-newstudent@buffalo.edu to re-send it.
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 within 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 the HUB system for the current status of your holds.
If your paperwork is not in compliance, you will receive an electronic message from Student Health Services. This message is sent to yours UB email address.
Please contact us only if you have a hold on your account for a prolonged period of time after submitting your records/forms:
This hold is preventing you from registering for spring classes because you have not yet completed your Orientation Data Form. Please submit today at Step 1: Complete the Orientation Data Form.
Be sure to check the details of any hold or to-do listed in your HUB Student Center (accessed through myub.buffalo.edu).
You can notify UB about your request on your Orientation Data Form. This will temporarily prevent you from completing the form while we process your request. We will email you once we have processed so you may resume the form (usually within 2-3 business days).
Visit Step 1: Submit the Orientation Data Form to take action now.
Please email us your request at ub-newstudent@buffalo.edu. Include your first name, last name, and requested major in your email.
We will initiate your request by notifying your academic advisor.
Please note that it may take up to one week for your major to be updated in your HUB Student Center. If you have not yet registered for classes, refer to Step 3: Register for Classes to learn how you will work with your academic advisor.
The process and timeline for working with your academic advisor to register for classes differs by each major and/or advising center. Utilize the information in your Orientation Data Form confirmation email and the chart on Step 3: Register for Classes to know what to expect.
Be sure you've completed Step 1: Complete the Orientation Data Form and Step 2: Submit Immunization Records, and cleared any other holds on your HUB Student Center (accessed through myub.buffalo.edu).
Review the orientation you selected by signing back in to your Orientation Data Form account. You can also reference the confirmation email you should have received shortly after completing your Orientation Data Form.
If you'd like to change your orientation , you can select a new event based on those available by navigating to the "Orientation Session" tab of your Orientation Data Form. Click "Save and Continue" to save your new selection.
One business day after uploading your UB Card photo, you can verify your photo was received in your HUB Student Center (access through myub.buffalo.edu). Select the "Profile" tile. If your photo is visible, UB has received and approved it.
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.
All undergraduate international students complete the requirements listed on the orientation process website.
You can also attend ISS Pre-Arrival Live Events and should pay attention to the tasks just for international students on the New Student Checklist.
Parent 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 parent or family member on Step 1: Complete the Orientation Data Form for Parent and Family Orientation Resources, including on-demand information, helpful communications before the start of the semester, and an invitation to attend our Live Q&A Session (webinar) offered in January.
Our highest priority is to help students succeed at UB, and the required events during the orientation program will help you prepare for your first semester. We recommend planning ahead and adjusting your schedule to attend.
If you have an exceptional circumstance and are still unable to attend a required event, UB staff members will follow up with you during the semester to provide information on how to make up what you missed. In the meantime, we will continue sending you preparation and reminder emails in anticipation of your attendance.
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:
Your participation is not required, but highly encouraged.
UB will not follow-up with you if you do not attend.
If your student is living on campus this spring, help them get settled in their new space during new student move-in (Saturday, January 28).
Welcome Day (Sunday, January 29) is designed just for new students to get acclimated to campus and continue making connections with other students. Family members can support their student by reviewing the schedule, any required events, and helping their student make a plan to attend.
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.
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