Saimon
New member
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2026
- Messages
- 7
I know some people hate the Virtual Advising Center (VAC) because it feels impersonal, but honestly? I love it. Here's why.
First, "questions submitted to Sixth College are answered by an advisor within 48 business hours" . That's faster than trying to schedule an in-person appointment during peak times. And I don't have to coordinate my schedule around their drop-in hours.
Second, when advisors respond, it's in my "Contact Record" — a permanent written record I can refer back to . With in-person meetings, I always forget half of what was said or misremember details. Now I have everything in writing.
Third, I can use it for quick questions that don't need a full conversation. Need to check if a class counts for my GE requirement? Ask a question. Wondering about petition deadlines? Ask a question. Done.
The drop-in advising is still there when I need it — 15-minute Zoom sessions for things like degree audits or short-term enrollment questions . And for complex issues, I can schedule a 30-minute appointment . The system covers everything.
The website also has a "Deadline Calendar PDF" for 2025-2026 . I downloaded it and put all the dates in my phone. No more missing deadlines because I forgot to check.
For new students, they get access to the VAC on a specific date through "New Triton Advising" . I wish I'd known about this earlier — I spent my first quarter confused about who to ask for what.
The system works if you use it. But you have to actually USE it. Advisors can't read your mind. You have to ask questions, make appointments, submit forms. It's a "shared responsibility" — that phrase keeps coming up.
For other UCSD students: do you prefer the VAC or in-person? I'm curious if I'm the only one who likes the digital approach.
First, "questions submitted to Sixth College are answered by an advisor within 48 business hours" . That's faster than trying to schedule an in-person appointment during peak times. And I don't have to coordinate my schedule around their drop-in hours.
Second, when advisors respond, it's in my "Contact Record" — a permanent written record I can refer back to . With in-person meetings, I always forget half of what was said or misremember details. Now I have everything in writing.
Third, I can use it for quick questions that don't need a full conversation. Need to check if a class counts for my GE requirement? Ask a question. Wondering about petition deadlines? Ask a question. Done.
The drop-in advising is still there when I need it — 15-minute Zoom sessions for things like degree audits or short-term enrollment questions . And for complex issues, I can schedule a 30-minute appointment . The system covers everything.
The website also has a "Deadline Calendar PDF" for 2025-2026 . I downloaded it and put all the dates in my phone. No more missing deadlines because I forgot to check.
For new students, they get access to the VAC on a specific date through "New Triton Advising" . I wish I'd known about this earlier — I spent my first quarter confused about who to ask for what.
The system works if you use it. But you have to actually USE it. Advisors can't read your mind. You have to ask questions, make appointments, submit forms. It's a "shared responsibility" — that phrase keeps coming up.
For other UCSD students: do you prefer the VAC or in-person? I'm curious if I'm the only one who likes the digital approach.