Navigating Academic Success: A Guide to UCLA Honors Program Counseling Services

UCLA recognizes the paramount importance of academic success for its students and their future endeavors. To that end, the university provides a comprehensive network of academic counseling services designed to support undergraduate students in their academic planning and overall success. This article will explore the various resources available, with a particular focus on counseling services relevant to students in Honors Programs.

College Academic Counseling (CAC)

College Academic Counseling (CAC) is a vital resource for undergraduate students within the College of Letters and Science. As one of the four undergraduate advising units at UCLA, CAC's primary goal is to guide students in shaping their undergraduate experience to align with their academic and personal aspirations. CAC counselors provide invaluable support in understanding degree requirements, navigating General Education (GE) requirements, and managing credit transfers from Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and community college coursework. They also assist students in developing comprehensive four-year academic plans.

It is highly recommended that students consult with a CAC counselor once per quarter to ensure they remain on track toward graduation. CAC's services are specifically tailored for students pursuing majors within the College of Letters and Science.

Additional Advising Units within the College of Letters and Science

In addition to CAC, the College of Letters and Science offers specialized advising through several other units:

Academic Advancement Program (AAP): AAP provides support and resources to students from historically underrepresented backgrounds.
Honors Programs: Dedicated counseling is available for students enrolled in specific Honors Programs at UCLA.
Student Athletics Academic Advising: This unit caters to the unique academic needs of student-athletes.

Advising Units Outside the College of Letters and Science

Students pursuing degrees in other schools within UCLA have access to advising tailored to their specific fields of study:

Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
School of Arts and Architecture
Herb Alpert School of Music
School of Nursing
School of Theater, Film, and Television

College Academic Mentors (CAMs)

College Academic Mentors (CAMs) are graduate students from diverse academic departments who offer peer advising to undergraduates. CAMs provide guidance in the following areas:

GE Program Planning (freshmen and sophomores)
Choosing a Major (freshmen and sophomores)
Preparing for Graduate/Professional School (juniors and seniors)

CAMs are available for both same-day and advance appointments. Students can schedule appointments at A-316 Murphy Hall, Window 1. CAMs are also accessible on the Hill, providing convenient academic advice, assistance with majors/minors, class planning support, and graduate school preparation.

Honors Programs Counseling

Students enrolled in one of UCLA’s Honors Programs have access to specialized academic counseling tailored to the unique requirements and opportunities within their programs. This counseling provides guidance on honors coursework, research opportunities, and other program-specific requirements. More information on Honors Programs counseling can be found by contacting the specific program.

AAP Counseling and Peer Learning

The Academic Advancement Program (AAP) offers both in-person and virtual counseling options to its students. Drop-in hours are available Monday through Friday from 10 am to 3 pm. AAP also provides Peer Learning opportunities, open to any student within AAP who is interested in strengthening their academic skills. Furthermore, AAP offers two academic summer programs for incoming students: the Freshman Summer Program and the Transfer Summer Program.

Scholarship Resource Center

The Scholarship Resource Center, located at 233 Covel Commons on the Hill, provides comprehensive support for students seeking scholarships. Services include scholarship essay writing assistance, proofreading, individual counseling, quarterly workshops, scholarship books, and drop-in scholarship counseling. These services are available to all students, regardless of their financial aid eligibility. The center is open Monday through Friday from 11 am to 6 pm and can be reached at (310) 206-2875.

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Undergraduate Writing Center (UWC)

The Undergraduate Writing Center (UWC) offers one-on-one assistance with any type of paper for any class, at any stage of the writing process. The UWC can assist with identifying a topic, formulating a thesis, organizing ideas, incorporating and citing sources, and learning effective proofreading techniques. Students can drop in during regular hours or make an appointment.

Appointment availability:

A61 Kaplan - Available if a Peer Learning Facilitator's (PLF) appointment cancels or is unbooked.
Rieber 162 - Available if a PLF’s appointment cancels or is unbooked.

The Center for Academic Advising in the College (CAAC)

The Center for Academic Advising in the College (CAAC) provides academic counseling to students enrolled in programs within the College of Letters and Sciences. College academic counseling strives to offer resources and foster an active partnership with students to help them navigate academics at UCLA.

Read also: Understanding UCLA Counselors

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