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Educational Opportunity Program Contact E-mail: eop@sa.ucsb.edu

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Freshman

Opportunities for Freshman Students


Starting off this new phase of life brings you to a new level of academic expectations and a new academic community and culture that is UCSB. Making friends and getting connected will help you feel like UCSB is where you belong. The first year is a time to soak it all in and learn how the University operates. As you find your way around, the goal is to also find your niche, and of course, your friends and mentors at UCSB. The people that you meet will connect you to resources and opportunities that can enhance your learning experience. The more you connect, the more they will know about you and the better they can fine tune information that is relevant and of interest to you. It is the activities that you participated in at your prior school that helped get you into UCSB and it will then be your UCSB activities that will help get you into graduate/professional school or the job market. Here are a few suggestions to get you started on building a UCSB academic and personal community and also on the path to leadership development and participation in extracurricular activities.

  • Student Organizations: Student clubs are a great way to meet people. Being a leader in your high school is what helped you in your admission to UCSB. Continue to be active in issues, causes or groups that are of interest to you. Visit the Office of Student Life webpage for a listing of UCSB registered student organizations. www.sa.ucsb.edu/osl. Another option is being active in Associated Students through student government or volunteerism. www.as.ucsb.edu.

  • Searching for a Major or Trying to Decide if you Like the One you Have: Visit your undergraduate advisor or a faculty member. Ask what students do in that major after graduation. Don’t forget to inquire about research opportunities! Your Department Advisor is where you go for questions regarding your major requirements.


    • Visit the College of Letters & Science website at www.advising.ltsc.ucsb.edu. Look under Academic Advising/Choice of major. Your College is also the place to go for information regarding General Education and Academic Residence requirements.

    General Education courses are a great way to “try on a major” to see if you like it. If you do or do not like the class as a potential major, you still get requirements out of the way.

    To help with your major search, you can also visit MyRoad at http://apps.collegeboard.com/myroad/navigator.jsp?t=351&i=homepage.
    Career Services also has a number of assessment tests and drop-in counseling hours to help you decide which major path to take (see below).
  • Career Services: This is an excellent location to begin your career research. Whether it is a temporary job from GauchoLink or a dream career in your future, it can all start here. Career Services has career web links, printed material and professional experts to help you explore majors and careers. Be sure to visit http://career.ucsb.edu and complete the registration process for GauchoLink, UCSB's Employment Connection, for access to UCSB's Internship database and for email updates on events and opportunities related to your career interests. You can visit Career Services on campus in Building 599 or online at http://career.ucsb.edu.

  • Alternative Learning Opportunities: Consider studying at the UC Center in Washington, DC or participating in research here at UCSB. Visit the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities office 2105 North Hall. Ask about extracurricular activities that can take your learning experience out of the classroom and diversify your resume. Graduate schools and employers look favorably on students who participate in extracurricular activities. www.ltsc.ucsb.edu/urca/index.php

  • Interesting Courses: Get a jumpstart on your career development and immersion in UCSB academic life. See your College for a listing of Frosh Seminars. They change every quarter and are a great way to work with a faculty member in a small class environment on a topic of mutual interest. Consider taking Interdisciplinary Studies 20, UCSB’s Frosh Seminar. See the Schedule of Classes for enrollment information.

  • Honors Programs: Visit your College and ask about honors programs and/or honor societies. The advantages of participation may include early registration, access to computer labs, smaller courses with greater faculty access and of course, more depth to your studies.

  • Study Abroad: The world is waiting for you! Visit the Education Abroad Program at 2431 South Hall. www.eap.ucsb.edu

  • Housing search: When it is time to move from the residence halls to a private apartment, review Housing & Residential Services’ Survival Guide for everything from signing a contract to choosing a roommate. www.housing.ucsb.edu/hchoices/cho-survival-guide.htm.