Drop-In Virtual Student Advising

Save time -- check the BIO website first!
BIO advising is intended for any necessary further questions and discussions with a BIO advisor only after you have already researched the topic on the BIO website. The answers to most questions international students have can be found on the BIO website, including information about program extensions, travel, applying for a visa/visa renewal, CPT (internships), OPT, and STEM OPT.

Virtual Drop-In Student Advising hours (PDT)

Virtual drop-in advising is available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.* (Pacific Time) with no appointment needed. 

*Please note that the advising sign-in sheet may close earlier (between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.) to enable our advisors to work through the advising queue before the end of our advising hours.

See the BIO Contact Us page for upcoming holiday closure dates.

There is no student advising on Wednesdays.

Services NOT available in drop-in student advising hours

How to access Drop-In Virtual Student Advising

Step 1: Sign in

Sign in for advising on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.* The sign in form is only open for sign-ins during these posted times.

*The advising sign-in sheet may close earlier (between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.) if there are long wait times to enable our advisors to work through the advising queue before the end of our advising hours. If advising sign-ins close early, we will note this in the Advising Queue sheet, in the large red box at the top. As long as you are signed in AND in the Zoom meeting waiting room, you are guaranteed to speak with an advisor. 

Step 2: Join the Zoom meeting

After signing in, join the BIO Drop-in Virtual Student Advising Zoom meeting.

You will be placed in a waiting room until it is your turn to speak with an advisor. Only students who have signed in for advising (Step 1) will be seen by an adviser. Please note that during peak advising periods, wait times may be up to an hour. We are doing our best to see students as quickly as possible. Your patience is appreciated!

  • ZOOM NAME: Make sure that your Zoom display name matches the name you have used in the sign in form.
  • NO SHOWS: If you are not present when called, an advisor will an advisor will mark you as a NO SHOW. You will need to sign in again (Step 1) and re-join the meeting (Step 2) if you would like to speak with an advisor.
  • AUDIO ISSUES/NOT RESPONDING: If an advisor cannot connect with you after multiple attempts, you will be removed from the meeting. You will need to  sign in again (Step 1) and re-join the meeting (Step 2) if you would like to speak with an advisor.

All participants are required to be signed into a Zoom account. Use your CalNet ID to sign into Zoom for signing into Zoom from your desktop application, web browser, or mobile app.) Participants who are not eligible for a UC Berkeley Zoom account can create a free, consumer Zoom account

Step 3: Check your place in the advising queue

After signing in and joining the waiting room, you can check your place in the advising queue. You can see how many students are ahead of you to calculate your wait time, and see any notes for you from the advisor. Advising sessions range from average of 5-10 minutes for General Advising and 15-20 minutes for Special Topics. 

Step 4: Check your video and audio settings

While you are waiting, test your Zoom audio and video settings to make sure that you are ready to speak with an advisor when it is your turn.

Sign in for BIO Drop-In Virtual Student Advising

OPT/STEM OPT Document Checks

Applying for OPT or STEM OPT? Attend a BIO Document Check Workshop to make sure your application is complete before mailing it to USCIS. Details can be found on our Events Calendar. 

Please note that advisors can not perform individual document checks during advising hours.