utexas.edu College of Natural Sciences
School of Human Ecology
Search the site
Orientation

Orientation

Welcome to The University of Texas at Austin and the School of Human Ecology (SoHE)! SoHE is a group of majors housed within the College of Natural Sciences (CNS).

The SoHE Advising Center staff is excited to meet you during Orientation. Our main goal is to assist you with picking out classes so that you feel confident when registering during Orientation. Also see the CNS Orientation website.

Please review the following information, and keep an eye out for emails from "Human Ecology Advising" (headvising@austin.utexas.edu). You will receive an email with your academic advising details before your orientation session. Add our email to your contacts list to avoid future emails from going to spam, and email us for any questions or concerns related to your academic advising! Please include your UT EID on all emails.
 

Before Orientation

1. Complete Orientation Canvas Modules. See a full pre-orientation checklist on the Longhorn Orientation website.

2. Complete assessments:

  • The UT Math Assessment is required before your Orientation session (required for all first-year CNS students). 
    • CNS Students are exempt only in very limited circumstances: Incoming CNS Students may be exempt if they are (i) international exchange students or (ii) former Texas Academy of Math and Science students. Students who graduate from TAMS having completed the equivalent of M 408D, M 408M, or M 361K are exempt from the UT Math Assessment.
  • The UT Chemistry Assessment is also required for Public Health, Nutrition, Human Development & Family Sciences majors (and all students taking CH 301 this Fall 2025) before your Orientation session. There is an opportunity to work on modules throughout the summer if your score is below 60% on the assessment. 

 

During Orientation

Your specific advising schedule with days, times, and locations will be sent via email on the Thursday before your Orientation session. Attending all advising meetings is mandatory in order to have your advising hold cleared. 
 

(1) Day 1: Pre-Advising Meeting 

You will meet with an Orientation Advisor (OA) for a Pre-Advising Meeting. This is a group meeting with other incoming students in your major who are at Orientation that week. Please note this is a required meeting. The presentations linked below will be covered by your OA to prepare you for academic advising and class registration on Days 2 and 3!

Feel free to review these on your own too! Please email us at headvising@austin.utexas.edu if you experience any issues accessing these. 

  • Public Health: link pending
  • Nutrition, Human Development & Family Sciences, and Textiles & Apparel (combined presentation): link pending
     

There is an optional CNS Student Experience Session also available beforehand from 2:00-3:00pm in WEL 2.224.
 

(2) Day 2: Academic Advising Appointment

On Day 2, you will have an advising appointment (individual or small group) with a School of Human Ecology Academic Advisor to discuss your Fall schedule options. Your specific advising schedule details with days, times, location will be sent via email on the Thursday before your Orientation session.

Other CNS meetings including a CNS Abroad information session are available on Day 2 and 3. Check your CNS Orientation appointment email for more information!
 

(3) Day 3: Drop-in Advising & Registration Assistance

Optional Drop-In Advising: Your advisor will be available again for follow-up questions on the day you register. Details will be shared during Orientation in a follow-up email after your advising appointment.

Registration will open at 1:00pm through midnight! This can be done anywhere you have internet access.

  • If you need a workspace to register, WEL 1.316 will be available between 12:30-2:00pm. CNS Academic Advisors will also be there to help with any questions between 1:00-2:00pm.

Before you register, check your Registration Information Sheet (RIS page) to ensure any holds are cleared. 

  • Admissions Hold: This will NOT prevent you from Fall registration. This bar is waived through the end of Fall 2025, but be sure to send your final high school transcript.
  • Advising Hold: This will be cleared after your advising appointment on Day 2. 
  • Medical Hold: See the University Health Services website or call 512-471-4955
  • Financial Hold: View your What I Owe page to see charges.

Helpful Links:

Registration Tips:

  • Have plenty of back-up course/unique number options! Try to reach at least 12 credit hours to reach full-time status by midnight on Day 3.
  • Your advisor will be available for optional assistance during registration via Zoom. Email them if you have any questions while you are registering!
  • Registration Add/Drop: On Day 3, registration is open from 1:00pm-midnight. It will then temporarily close until mid-August when there will be another opportunity to adjust your schedule. See your Registration Information Sheet (RIS page) for all upcoming access times!
    • You can still add classes/waitlists through the 4th day of school (some classes may allow adds through the 6th day of school).
    • You can drop classes from your schedule through the 12th day of school without it showing on your record. 
      • After that, you can still drop a class through a mid-semester deadline. In this case, it appears on your transcript as attempted with a "Q" in place of a grade. This does not affect GPA, and you are allowed up to 6 of these drops. More details about these policies will be shared with you by your academic advisor this Fall!

 

After Orientation

Here are some things to review after orientation:

  • Review Post-Orientation details on the Longhorn Orientation website.
  • Send any AP/IB scores (from College Board website) and dual credit transcripts (directly from the community college) to UT Austin. Claim AP/IB credits on the UT website before school starts that your advisor recommended. Email your advisor with any questions!
  • Check out available support resources on the CNS website:
  • Pre-Health Professions Students: Become familiar with the Health Professions Office website and services.
  • Start getting familiar with your degree plan options and course requirements by viewing our sample degree plans on the SoHE Advising website (semester layout example) and CNS Degree Checklists (checklist version).
    • Incoming freshman in Fall 2025 will be following the 2024-2026 catalog.
    • Transfer students may follow 2024-2026 or an earlier catalog depending on previous enrollments. This will be confirmed with your academic advisor during orientation.
       

Welcome to UT Austin, and we look forward to seeing you again this Fall!