GBDA Advising

Welcome to GBDA Advising!

The hub for all GBDA-programming information. We encourage all students to familiarize themselves with the information presented to help ensure they remain up-to-date on important GBDA and Academic policies as well as support their success in the GBDA program.

Your Academic Advisors are here to support you!

We can assist you with:

  • connecting to UWaterloo resources
  • academic programming/degree requirements
  • creating meaningful and realistic academic goals.

As a student, we ask that you remain diligent in your academics by using the Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar, and take responsibility for your learning path by being proactive in your studies, goal setting and asking for help when you need it.

We encourage you to hold yourself accountable by regularly communicating with your GBDA Advisors to ensure you stay on track academically.

If you are unable to find the answer to your question here, please contact us at gbda.advising@uwaterloo.ca. Please provide your name and student number to help us access your account faster and provide more tailored support. Thanks!

Meet and Contact Your Advising Team

Your GBDA Advising team prioritizes supporting GBDA students in a way that is authentic to them! We understand not every student is the same, nor will their time at Waterloo be the same. We aim to support each student individually to reflect their diverse needs, experiences and goals.

Your success is important to us, and we are constantly seeking innovative ways to ensure you get the most out of your time in the GBDA program.

We are available to all GBDA students to assist them with anything academic related – if we can’t help you, we will always find someone who can.

Key Resources

Summer Rashed Headshot

Summer Rashed (She/Her)

Academic Administrative Supervisor

Linda Kelly

Linda Kelly

Student Services Support Coordinator

Tabatha Dominguez Headshot

Tabatha Dominguez

Associate Director, Undergraduate Studies

How Can I Contact My Advisors?

Email or Telephone Your General Questions

Your GBDA Advisors are available Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 4:30 pm either by email and/or telephone.

Always include the following information when contacting your Advisor:

  • Name
  • UW Student ID Number
  • Question(s) you would like answered
  • If calling, always include a telephone number we can reach you at
  • Emails and telephone calls will be answered in the order in which they are received and within 24-48 business hours.
    • Response times may increase during high-volume periods. For example:
      • Course Registration
      • Drop Deadlines
Email gbda.advising@uwaterloo.ca
Telephone

519-888-4567, ext. 23016

If your call is not answered, please make sure you leave a message with the following information:

  • Name
  • Student ID Number
  • Question/Concern
  • Telephone Number to reach you

Drop-In Appointments

Drop-In Advising Appointments will be available in the Fall 2024 term!

Drop-ins will be available at the Stratford School – DMS1007:

  • Tuesday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Students can utilize drop-in appointments for the following reasons:

  • You are in need of immediate academic support
  • You need a referral to an on-campus support
  • You require 1:1 in-person support
  • You have general questions about GBDA programming, and/or courses
  • You have general questions related to your individual academic plan and/or progress
  • You have questions about Exchange Abroad
  • You have questions about your co-op

In-Person or Virtual Appointments

GBDA advisors are available to book for in-person or virtual appointments.

GBDA Advisors work mainly from the Stratford Campus and students booking in-person appointments will need to be in Stratford to have them.

In-person and Virtual Appointments will be booked Monday through Thursday between 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Beginning the Fall 2023 term, in-person appointments will also be available on Waterloo Campus – PAS2439 for select dates: 

  • Tuesdays October 31
  • Tuesdays November 14
  • Tuesdays November 28

You can request in-person via the Book an Appointment form. For more information on this type of appointment, please visit Book an Appointment with a GBDA Advisor →

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: I have a question about a course and/or minor related to a different department – who should I contact?

GBDA Advisors can only speak to GBDA-coded courses, if you have questions about the material or criteria of another programs course or minor – please contact the Advisor for that program.

If it is a department in the Faculty of Arts, see the list of all Arts Advisors.

Other Faculty Advisors can normally be found by looking at that Faculty’s website.

Q: I noticed I had a financial hold on my student account – what should I do?

Unfortunately, GBDA Advisors are unable to assist you with Financial Holds. It is recommended that you contact the Centre to inquire about what the Financial Hold is for and how to remove it.

The Centre: https://uwaterloo.ca/the-centre/contact-us

Q: I have missed the course selection period – what should I do?

Do not worry if you have missed it – students have multiple opportunities to add courses.

Please see the Course Help Webpage for more information.

Q: I would like to overload to take 6 courses in my upcoming term- what is the process for requesting a course overload?

Students wishing to overload to 6 courses in a term are required to have a minimum 75% cumulative (overall) average. And have completed a minimum of 10 courses.

Students wishing to overload can make this request to their advisor via gbda.advising@uwaterloo.ca . Please note that your advisor can only increase your course limit and may not be able to help you with specific course enrollment.

Q: I am struggling in one or more of my courses and I am not sure who to turn to. Where should I start?

The best two resources:

  1. Your Course Instructor and/or TA

On each course syllabus there is a contact information section that includes your Instructor and/or Teaching Assistants office hours and contact information.

Advisor Tip: Make sure to include your name, student id, and course number on any written communications.

  1. Your Academic Advisor

We are here to help! Fill out the GBDA Advising Appointment Request form or email gbda.advising@uwaterloo.ca 

We can help you navigate through your options, available supports, services, and resources.

Q: My preferred course section is full, can you help?

If it is a GBDA course:

For all GBDA course override requests, please email gbda.advising@uwaterloo.ca   and include your name, student ID number, and requested course and section number.

In most cases, we will not provide an override for class limits unless a student requires academic accommodations from AccessAbility Services or if a student is facing extenuating circumstances (e.g. having failed a previous course)

Email is the fastest method to request an override, advising appointments will not be booked for override requests.

Notes:

  1. All GBDA courses are strictly reserved for students in the GBDA program.
  2. GBDA does not currently provide a waiting list for any course. Students are encouraged to utilize the add/drop period to swap into preferred sections when available.
  3. Only GBDA advisors (gbda.advising@uwaterloo.ca) are able to provide course overrides at this time. Please do not contact GBDA instructors with override requests.

If it is a course outside the GBDA program

GBDA advisors are only permitted to provide overrides for courses within the GBDA program.

If you are seeking assistance with an enrollment error or course override please see the AUO enrollment help page:https://uwaterloo.ca/arts/undergraduate/student-support/course-selection/enrolment-problems-and-course-overrides

Q: Which term can I go on an International exchange?

Students the GBDA Honors internship program (enrollment prior to 2022) can go abroad in their 3A and 4A Fall terms.

Students in the GBDA Honors Co-op Program can go abroad in their 4A Fall term only.

International Exchange terms outside of these parameters will not be approved.

Q: My first co-op term is around the corner, and I am unsure of where to start with the job search.

Students that are about to enter in their first work term:

The study term prior to your first co-op term, you will be given access to Waterloo Works (the co-op job search board) and PD 1 – Career Fundamentals (a mandatory professional development course that helps students navigate Waterloo Works system and works through resume writing, interview prep and job search skills).

If you are requiring further help, on Waterloo Works you can direct message your co-op advisor and attend a same-day drop-in advising session. 

Q: I don’t have an internship/co-op term for another 2+ terms but I am wanting to get a head start. Where should I look for further support?

Students won’t receive access to Waterloo Works or their Co-op advisor until the study term prior to their first work term (in GBDA this is after your 3B classes).

Students can utilize the Centre for Career Development.

Q – I was unable to secure a job for my co-op. What should I do?

Don’t panic! There are several opportunities students can pursue to complete their co-op credit.

Please contact your GBDA Advisor for assistance: gbda.advising@uwaterloo.ca

Q: I am participating in Varsity Athletics, are there any supports in place for GBDA student athletes?

Yes! Students participating in Varsity Athletics are encouraged to request an appointment with their GBDA advisor to connect about program specific supports

It is best to connect with your GBDA advisor prior to each individual term to plan ahead (ie. Scheduling, Exams).