FAQs
Success or Academic Advisor: What's the difference?
Your Success Advisor can help you enhance your academic skills, connect you to campus resources, increase your self-confidence, and help you discover new skills and motivation to assist you along the path to graduation. We will help you reflect on your strengths and challenges, goals and encourage self-awareness. Your meetings with a Success Advisor are part of an interactive and supportive relationship where you can discuss academic success strategies and resources relating to time management, test anxiety, note-taking, stress management, goal-setting and academic success!
How do I make or change an appointment?
If you need to make an appointment, the fastest and easiest way to do it is on your CSUMB Dashboard through the Advising shortcut. You will be directed to schedule an appointment online. You can also call our front desk at 831-582-3937, leave your name, student ID # and phone number and they will call you back to schedule an appointment at your convenience. You will need to schedule your appointment at least 24 hours in advance.
Does the Student Success Center work with all students?
Yes! We work with all students, which may include students on academic probation or in good academic standing. We encourage you to be proactive and seek assistance before you get into academic trouble!
Questions on academic probation (Back On Track)
An undergraduate student is placed on academic probation anytime their CSUMB or All College GPA falls below a 2.00. Even if you get a 3.50 semester GPA, you can still be on academic probation if your CSUMB or All College GPA is below a 2.00. For more information on academic probation, visit https://csumb.edu/policy/matriculation-policy-undergraduate-students
An Advising Hold can be placed on your account preventing you from registering for the following term until you complete the Back on Track process. Academic Probation is a warning, letting you know that you need to improve your GPA or run the risk of getting Academically Disqualified (involuntarily dis-enrolled from CSUMB) if there is no improvement.
The Back on Track process was put in place to ensure you connect to resources on campus to help you succeed at CSUMB. When you meet with a Success Advisor, you will discuss your academic and personal strengths, challenges and goals. The Success Advisor will also help you formulate some goals that you want to accomplish and we will track your progress to help you ensure you have a successful semester. Think of us as your personal academic coach and cheerleader!
It depends on your personal circumstances (hours working and/or other responsibilities, etc) but usually it is advised that students take a maximum of 12 units in order to do well in those courses. You should consult with your Academic Advisor to make sure you have the best for you class schedule. You should plan to spend 2 hours studying outside of class for every hour spent in class! 12 units = 24 hours of studying per week. Taking more units doesn't mean you will graduate sooner unless you can pass all of the classes.
Under federal privacy laws, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), we do not disclose academic information to your parents/guardian unless you, the student provides written consent. The student will need to fill out the "Student Consent for Release of Information" form located on the Registar's "Forms" page.
No, Financial Aid warning/probation is a completely different process from the academic probation process. Financial Aid warning/probation affects only your financial aid disbursement. If your GPA is not above a 2.0 that can affect your eligibility for Financial Aid. If you do not attend and complete the On Track program there will be a hold on your CSUMB account that will prevent you from registering for the next semester courses. Depending on your GPA and if you have Financial Aid, you may be required to do both workshops. Please contact your Financial Aid Advisor at 582-5100 or call the Center for Student Success about the Back On Track program at 582-3937.
Yes, in fact, this is the quickest way to improve your GPA. When repeating courses, the original grade will remain on the transcript, but only the higher CSUMB grade will be used in the GPA calculation. You should meet with your Academic Advisor to discuss specific course requirements. You can repeat only 16 units for grade forgiveness and 12 units for grade averaged.
*This policy does not apply to graduate students
No. Academic probation is a warning, but if you don’t improve your grades the next semester to above a 2.0 CSUMB cumulative GPA, you could be Academically Disqualified (dis-enrolled from CSUMB for at least a year, take and pass 12 college units at another college/university and then have to re-apply to CSUMB). The Center for Advising, Career and Student Success is here to support you in taking the right classes to degree, improving your grades if needed to stay enrolled and in pursuing and achieving your academic and career goals.
Cooperative Learning Center - tutoring and academic support in class subjects Cooperative Learning Center
Personal Growth and Counseling Center
Center for Advising, Career and Student Success
Student Disability and Accessibility Center (SDAC)
For additional resources, please review the CSUMB website here: https://csumb.edu/academics/academic-support-services