How to Schedule and Prepare for an Ohio State University Advisor Appointment

What happens at an OSU advisor appointment

An OSU advisor appointment is a one-on-one meeting with an academic advisor assigned to your college or major. The advisor reviews your degree requirements, helps you choose courses for the next term, discusses your academic progress, and answers questions about graduation, major changes, or university policies. Most appointments last 20 to 30 minutes and happen either in person at your college's advising office or over Zoom.

Your advisor is not a counselor or therapist — they focus on the academic side of your time at Ohio State. If you need mental health support, career counseling, or help with personal issues, your advisor can point you toward those services, but the appointment itself centers on your academic plan.

Key Takeaways

• Schedule your appointment through your college's advising office or the OSU student portal, not by email or phone unless your college requires it.
• Bring your degree audit (found in your student portal under "Degree Progress"), a list of courses you are considering, and any questions about requirements or major changes.
• Advisor availability changes by term and college, so book early in the registration window rather than waiting until the week before classes start.
• If you cannot make your appointment, cancel at least 24 hours ahead so another student can use the slot.

How to find your assigned advisor and their office hours

Your advisor is assigned based on your college and major. To find out who your advisor is and where to book, log into your OSU student portal (the same login you use for Carmen and BuckeyeLink), go to the advising section for your college, and look for your advisor's name and contact information. Each college — Engineering, Arts and Sciences, Business, Fisher College of Nursing, and so on — runs its own advising office with its own scheduling system.

Some colleges use an online booking tool built into the portal. Others ask you to email your advisor directly or call the advising office to schedule. Check your college's advising website to see which method applies to you. If you cannot find your advisor's name or your college's advising office, call your college's main office and ask for the advising coordinator.

When to schedule your appointment

Schedule your appointment during the registration window for the term you are planning — usually four to six weeks before classes begin. Registration windows open on different dates depending on your class year (seniors first, then juniors, sophomores, freshmen), so check your student portal for your specific date. Advisors fill up quickly once registration opens, so booking within the first week gives you more time options.

If you miss the registration window or need to meet after classes have started, you can still schedule an appointment, but your course options may be limited because many classes will already be full. Some colleges also hold walk-in advising hours during the first week of classes, though wait times can be long.

What to bring and how to prepare

Before your appointment, pull up your degree audit in your student portal. This document shows which requirements you have completed, which ones remain, and how your current courses count toward your degree. Bring a list of two or three courses you are considering for next term — check the course schedule in the OSU registrar's website to see what is offered and what times work for you.

Write down any questions you have: about switching majors, about a requirement you do not understand, about whether a course will count toward your degree, or about graduation timing. Advisors can answer these questions faster if you ask them directly rather than making the advisor guess what you need.

If you are meeting over Zoom, test your internet connection and camera before the appointment. If you are meeting in person, allow time to find the advising office — many are in buildings you may not have visited before.

What to expect during the appointment

Your advisor will ask about your major, your academic goals, and how you are doing in your current classes. They will look at your degree audit together with you and talk through which courses make sense for next term. If you are behind on a requirement or struggling in a class, they will discuss options like tutoring, course repeats, or major changes.

The advisor will not make your course selections for you — you do that yourself in the registrar's portal after the appointment. But they will tell you which courses count toward your degree, which ones have prerequisites you need, and which ones are required versus elective. If a course you want is full, they can sometimes add you to a waitlist or suggest an alternative.

Toward the end of the appointment, your advisor will ask if you have other questions. This is your chance to ask about anything you did not get to — graduation requirements, changing your major, or how to reach other campus services.

After your appointment: registering for courses

After you meet with your advisor, you register for courses yourself through the OSU registrar's portal during your assigned registration window. Your advisor does not register you — they only help you plan which courses to take. You will see your registration date and time in your student portal. Log in at that exact time to add courses to your cart and confirm your enrollment.

If a course you planned to take is full by the time you register, you can join the waitlist through the registrar's portal. Spots often open up as other students drop, especially in the first week of classes. If you need help understanding the registration process itself, the registrar's office has guides and phone support.

If you need to reschedule or cancel

If you cannot make your appointment, cancel through the same system where you booked it — usually your college's online portal or by emailing your advisor. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead so another student can use that time slot. If you cancel last-minute or miss the appointment without canceling, your college may limit how many future appointments you can book.

If your advisor cancels on you, they will usually offer you another time or direct you to a different advisor in the office. If you have a conflict that keeps coming up, ask your college's advising coordinator whether they can schedule you with a different advisor whose hours work better for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I meet with an advisor from a different college if I am thinking about changing majors?

You can ask your current advisor about switching majors, and they can answer general questions. For detailed information about requirements in a different major, contact the advising office in that college directly. Many colleges let you meet with an advisor before you officially change your major so you can understand what the new program requires.

What if I disagree with my advisor about which courses to take?

Your advisor makes recommendations based on your degree requirements and academic history, but you choose which courses to register for. If you want to take a course your advisor advised against, you can still register for it. If a course requires your advisor's permission or a prerequisite waiver, your advisor can approve or deny that request — in that case, ask them to explain their reasoning and whether there is an appeal process.

Do I have to meet with an advisor every term?

OSU does not require you to meet with an advisor every term, but most students do before each registration window. Meeting with your advisor helps you stay on track for graduation and catch problems early — for example, if you are missing a prerequisite for a course you need. If you feel confident about your course plan, you can skip a term, but check your degree audit first to make sure you are not missing anything.

What if I cannot reach my advisor or the advising office?

Try emailing your advisor first — response times are usually one to two business days. If you do not hear back, call your college's main advising office. If your college's advising office is not responding, contact your college's student services office or dean's office and ask for help connecting with an advisor.

Can my parents attend my advisor appointment?

Your advisor can meet with you and your parents together if you both want that, but it is your choice. Some students prefer to meet alone so they can discuss grades or personal challenges without a parent present. If your parents want to attend, mention it when you schedule so your advisor knows to plan for three people instead of two.