Academic Advising and Support

Academic Advising and Support

Our academics staff is here to help guide you through your time in AGNR! How can we help?

See below for helpful information on how to find your advisor, connect to advising and support resources, and how to connect with the AGNR Academic Programs office. Still need help? Don't hesitate to reach out to us. 

How do I find my faculty advisor?

Each department handles advisor assignments differently.  Some distribute new students among current advisors.  Some add additional faculty to the advising roster to accommodate each new class of students. To find your advisor, go to the Undergraduate Program Office for your major (department) and speak with the Coordinator or Administrative Assistant.

NOTE:  First semester freshmen or transfer students should identify your advisor within your first 10 days of classes and learn how that advisor handles making advising appointments!  Freshman and Sophomores are required to meet with a peer mentor before scheduling an appointment with their assigned advisor. 

Peer Mentors

Peer Mentors are an important resource in the College of AGNR. This service offers students a chance to talk with a fellow classmate about everyday campus issues, advising, registration, and more before meeting with your assigned advisor for early registration appointment. 

Peer Mentors are selected AGNR upperclassmen who have achieved good academic success while maintaining an active schedule of extracurricular activities, work, service, and more. Peer Mentors know how to manage time and get the most out of the university, and best of all, they speak your language - Peer Mentors are one of you!

For office locations and staff for undergraduate programs in each department, visit our Peer Mentors page

The AGNR Academic Programs Student Services Office located in room 0107 Symons Hall is available for special advising.  Appointments are preferred but not necessary.  However, Student Services will not do routine major advising - that must be done in your department.  Come to Student Services for issues involving permission to enroll at another institution, transcript discrepancies, information on petitions you have filed for exception to academic policy, study abroad, etc.

 

AGNR Peer Mentors

AGNR Peer Mentors are successful, engaged students who help provide academic counseling and assistance. They hold weekly office hours, attend monthly group meetings, become a teaching assistant, and help select future Peer Mentors. Interested in connecting with or becoming a Peer Mentor?

Meet AGNR Peer Mentors

Academic Support and Tutoring Resources

Academic Advising for AGNR Probation Students

There are many factors (academic, personal, social, health, etc.) that impact a student’s academic performance, which may lead to academic difficulty. The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is committed to providing assistance to students on academic probation in order to foster future success.

While academic probation may not be the outcome you hoped for, you will need to plan accordingly in order to develop an academic plan that will help you to reach your goals.  Below please find resources to guide you as you move forward.

What is Academic Probation and Dismissal?

Students will be placed on academic probation if their cumulative GPA falls below 2.0. Normally, a student is expected to attain a 2.0 cumulative GPA at the end of any probationary semester. Students who fail to achieve a 2.0 cumulative GPA at the end of their probationary semester may be academically dismissed, depending on their credit level as detailed below.

 

  1. Students who have earned 60 credits or more will be dismissed from the University in the event their cumulative GPA remains below 2.0 at the end of their probationary semester. Students who are on probation and attain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 at the end of a winter or summer term will not be subject to dismissal in the subsequent semester.
  2. Students who are on academic probation and have earned fewer than 60 credits will be permitted to continue on academic probation if a minimum semester GPA of 2.0 is achieved in each semester of probation.
  • Full-time students must complete 9 or more credits in each semester of probation. A completed credit is defined as credit for any course in which a student receives a grade of A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-. F, P, or S.
  • Students who meet this requirement will be permitted to continue on probation until the close of the semester (excluding winter and summer terms) in which they attain a cumulative GPA of 2.0.
  • However, students who are on probation will be dismissed if they have not achieved a cumulative GPA of 2.0 at the end of the semester in which they complete 60 credits.
  • Students who are on probation and attain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 at the end of a winter or summer term will not be subject to dismissal in the subsequent semester.
  • Details can be found in the Undergraduate Catalog

How does being on academic probation impact my course registration?

While on probation, you may only register for courses approved by your advisor. Should you need to adjust your schedule at all, you will need to be in contact with them directly.  Your advisor will give you electronic permission that will allow you to adjust your schedule.

What should I do during the semester?

Once the semester has begun, continue to stay in contact with your advisor to provide them with periodic updates and/or immediately alert them in the event that you are performing poorly in one of your classes.

Resources to help get you back on track

There are many factors that contribute to a student’s academic success & wellness.  The University of Maryland offers free services to help students in all aspects of college life: academic, mental, and physical.

Support Services available to students:

Academic Dismissal

Students who have earned 60 or more credits will be dismissed if their cumulative GPA remains below 2.0 for two consecutive semesters (excluding winter and summer terms). Students who attain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 in the preceding winter or summer term will not be subject to dismissal.

Students who have earned fewer than 60 credits will be dismissed following any probationary semester in which they fail to attain a minimum 2.0 semester GPA and complete the required credits detailed under Academic Probation. Students who attain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 in the preceding winter or summer term will not be subject to dismissal.

Students who have been academically dismissed and who are reinstated will be academically dismissed again if a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 is not achieved by the end of the first semester after reinstatement. Reinstated students will not be allowed to add or drop courses, or to register during any semester without the approval of an academic advisor in their college, unless a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 is achieved.

 

Re-enrollment to UMD

Students dismissed from the University of Maryland will be referred to the Student Success Office.  The Student Success Office (www.studentsuccess.umd.edu) provides services to assist students in completing their undergraduate degrees.  For additional information on student policies, student resources and the re-enrollment process & deadlines, visit the Student Success Office website.

Students dismissed from the university will be referred to the Student Success Office.  The Student Success Office (www.studentsuccess.umd.edu) provides services to assist students in completing their undergraduate degrees.  For additional information on student policies, student resources and the re-enrollment process & deadlines, visit the Student Success Office website.
 

 

 If you have any additional questions or concerns about your probation status, please do not hesitate to contact Heather Buchanan (Program Manager, Student Services) at hbuchan1@umd.edu and/or agnrstudentservices@umd.edu.

Guided Study Sessions

Study sessions for traditionally difficult courses, led by students who were successful in the class.

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The Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Education (OMSE)

Walk-in and by-appointment tutoring. Available to all students.

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Tutoring & Academic Success Resources

Tutoring services and a wide range of academic resources available on campus, from peer institutions, or other non-university websites. Topics include: tutoring by subject, procrastination, time management, note-taking skills, test-taking skills, study skills, and much more!

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Academic Success and Tutorial Services (ASTS)

Free tutoring for biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, statistics, accounting, economics, and psychology courses.

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The Learning Assistance Service (LAS)

Part of the Counseling Center, offering individual sessions and workshops in areas such as study skills, time management, and exam-taking skills.

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Mathematics Department

Free walk-in tutoring for all 100- and 200-level courses in mathematics.

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Math Success Program

Free walk-in math tutoring.

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Chemistry Tutoring & Exam Bank

Free Chemistry tutoring up to General Chemistry 2, and an exam test bank by the Alpha Chi Sigma Fraternity.

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Physics Department

Free Physics tutoring.

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The Writing Center

The UMD Writing Center offers three types of free tutoring: in-person, live online, and 24-hour-later feedback.

The Writing Center is for student-writers at any stage of the writing process, from early brainstorming to a polished draft. Regardless of your skill level or academic discipline, the writing center is an excellent resource for you.

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The Grammar Hotline

For questions about word choice, punctuation, sentence structure, and citing sources.

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The Counseling Center

Offers resources in areas such as study skills, time management and exam-taking skills. Also provides free confidential individual sessions with a counselor.

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Private Tutors by Discipline

Biology: Contact the Symons Hall Undergraduate Academic Programs Office (1322 Symons Hall, 301-405-6892).

Chemistry: Contact the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Undergraduate Programs Office (1206 Chemistry Building, 301-405-1791).

Other subjects: Visit the departmental website for the major for information on private tutors.