Merrill College Advising Guide for Families

Merrill College advisors provide general advising to Merrill students of all majors and all years. Students can schedule an appointment to meet with an advisor, or they can email merrilladvising@ucsc.edu to get advising help.

Student Privacy

You have probably heard that the university is very limited in what information we can share with you about your student. Sharing information about your student’s academic record is restricted by the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).We are happy to speak generally with concerned parties about university and college requirements and policies, academic standing, and campus resources. We hope that you’ll share your questions and discoveries with your student, and encourage them to talk to us directly if they want to learn more.

Slug Families Website

The Slug Families website is an excellent hub of information about housing, orientation, campus resources, and more. If you want to know how best to support your student from day one through graduation, this is a great place to start!

Advising Info Online

The campus has a number of online advising resources. Students, parents, and other interested parties may find answers to their questions using the following sites:

Enrolling in Classes

Each quarter, students are assigned an “enrollment appointment” to enroll in their classes for the following quarter. The enrollment priority is assigned automatically based on the number of earned credits, with the earliest priority assigned to students with the most credits earned (seniors first, then juniors, etc). The enrollment appointment is not an actual appointment, where they meet with an advisor; it is simply the date and time when the student can begin enrolling through their portal: https://my.ucsc.edu.  

If students need help selecting classes, they are encouraged to contact the advising office to schedule an appointment or chat with peer advisors. We generally encourage students to prioritize their major courses first, then GEs, and lastly electives or classes of interest.

Mental Health

College students face a variety of mental health challenges, two of the most common being anxiety and depression. We strongly encourage all our students to check out Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), an office that offers free and confidential mental health services for all UCSC students. CAPS offers individual counseling sessions, workshops, support groups, and even free online apps. Students can call (831) 459-2628 anytime to schedule an intake session.

It is very heartening for students when their families and friends support them in getting the mental healthcare they need. Asking for help is scary sometimes, and the more encouragement students have in this process, the better!

Choosing a Major

Though some students enter UCSC with a strong idea of what they’d like to major in, many students are confused when confronted with so many possibilities. It is also very common for students to change their major upon arrival to UCSC. We encourage students to talk to family and friends, advisors, faculty, and any other trusted confidants, as they explore their options and identify their goals!

The Career Center

At the Career Center (centrally located at the Bay Tree Bookstore Plaza), students can seek on­ and off ­campus employment, peruse a library of career and graduate school information, and speak one-­on­-one with Career Center Counselors. The Career Center also provides an internship database and the Career Advice Network, an online database of UCSC alumni, faculty, and staff who have provided information about their academic degrees and careers. Want to see what your student might do with their degree? Check it out: http://whatcanidowiththismajor.com/major/

Social Opportunities and Academic Enrichment

Students often find their academic lives more fulfilling when they take advantage of the many extra­curricular opportunities at the College and on campus. Participating in college events and joining student groups is a great way to meet like­minded peers and discover the wealth of educational opportunities on campus. Student Organization Advising and Resources (SOAR) is a great place to start. There’s also the Office of Student Life, a cluster of student support services. For students who prefer athletics, OPERS (the Office of Physical Recreation and Sports) is not just a pretty place—though the facilities boast a stunning view of the city and the Monterey Bay. OPERS coordinates competitive and intramural sports, PE classes (including sailing at the harbor, scuba training and trips, and holistic health classes), and the Wilderness Orientation Program. Students can sign up for intramural sports as part of a team, or as an individual looking for a team. 

 

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How can you help your student succeed?

We know that family and friends are a huge influence in students’ lives. We're so glad that you are a part of your student's support system! To that end, here’s a short, basic timeline of what students might be thinking about during their years at UCSC. Feel free to ask them about these items and encourage them to contact us if they have any questions. 

First (Frosh) Year:

  • Finding a major
  • Meeting with advisors in the college and department (if applicable)
  • Figuring out degree requirements
  • Taking GEs
  • Looking into academic support services
  • Forming study groups with peers
  • Thinking about the Education Abroad Program (EAP)

Second (Sophomore) Year:

  • Declaring a major and creating a long­term course plan
  • Deciding about and applying to EAP
  • Meeting with a department advisor
  • Meeting with faculty during office hours
  • Thinking about possible career paths and/or graduate school plans

Third (Junior) Year:

  • Finalizing major plans
  • Meeting with a college advisor to check on progress with graduation requirements
  • Going to the Career Center to explore internship opportunities, graduate schools, and career plans
  • Talking to faculty about research opportunities and post­graduate plans

Fourth (Senior) Year:

  • Pursuing internships and/or independent study/research with faculty
  • Preparing graduate school applications and finalizing faculty recommendation letters
  • Seeing department and college advisors to check that all graduation requirements will be met
  • Applying for graduation in graduating quarter and signing up for graduation ceremony