Academic Center for Exploratory Students

Many common questions we receive from students are addressed on our ACES FAQ page. Start there to learn more about the ACES program and your ACES experience.

If you have questions about your UConn application or why you were placed into ACES, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by calling 860-486-1111 or emailing onestop@uconn.edu. ACES advisors are not involved in admissions decisions.

New students will first meet with an ACES advisor and discuss course registration during a New Student Orientation session. You will receive more information about registering for an Orientation session after you have paid your enrollment fee.

During your first two semesters in the ACES program, you will be required to schedule at least one advising appointment with your ACES advisor each semester. The purpose of these appointments will be to check in on your transition to UConn and discuss future academic course planning.

Our ACES advisors are excited to meet you at your New Student Orientation session! Before you arrive, you will need to complete your Task List in the new student onboarding portal. One of your tasks before you register for your Orientation session will be to complete a Student Questionnaire. This questionnaire will ask you to provide information about your academic interests, any college level credit you may be transferring in, and any scheduling concerns we should be aware of. Our advising team will use this information to pre-enroll you into a full class schedule for the fall before you arrive to campus. While you will have the opportunity to make changes to your schedule during your Orientation session, it is advised to provide as much information as you can on the Student Questionnaire so that your schedule may require less changes when you arrive to campus. Our advising team's goal is to enroll you into classes as soon as we can that will satisfy degree requirements for you.

Important to note: Students who are in the ACES program are interested in a variety of different majors. Because of this, class schedules can be very different. It is most important that you are enrolled in classes that will work towards YOUR intended interests and degree requirements.

When we meet with you at your New Student Orientation session, you will learn more about the ACES program, our ACES advisors, and any major(s) you may be interested in. We will then make sure your class schedule is still appropriate, or we will make any changes to your class schedule if needed. You will also be able to connect with other new students who are in the ACES program to start building your UConn community!

Your ACES advisor helps with:

• Major exploration
• Academic course planning
• University/campus navigation

Your international advisor helps with:

• Services related to immigration, government procedures, and University/community resources
• Administering UConn’s F and J visa programs on behalf of the University
• Applying for OPT/working in the U.S.
• Changing visa type
• Complicated immigration scenarios

You can connect with your international advisor on the CISS Advising Services page.

• Check your UConn email account every day. This is how the University will communicate any important information or deadlines. When you send an email to a University representative, please include your 7-digit Student ID number or NetID. It is also important to note that most University representatives (including ACES advisors) do not work on the weekends; if you send an email on the weekend, please allow time for the University representative to respond.
• To maintain your visa status, you must be enrolled in at least 12 credits every semester; this is typically 4-5 classes.
• It is important to attend every class, even if you are in a very large lecture. If you are unable to attend class for an extenuating circumstance, email your instructor to let them know you will not be attending so they can provide you with any information you may be missing.
• Communicating with your instructors and advisors is beneficial to your success! The more that you communicate, the better your instructors and advisors can support you. Do not be afraid to ask questions if you do not understand something or wish to gain more information. We are here to help!
• If you are struggling in a class, it is okay to ask for help or use UConn support services. If you are not sure where to seek help, you can always ask your instructors or advisors for assistance.
• Our advisors love to learn about our students! Please feel welcome to share information about your experiences, background, and culture so we can best support you.

Get Involved On and Off Campus through resources such as UConn's cultural centers, student organizations, community service, and recreation!

Center for International Students & Scholars (CISS)
UConn American English Language Institute (UCAELI)
Cross Cultural Connections