Some common questions about Orientation are answered below. More in-depth information is available
by clicking on many of the questions and links.
Freshman Orientation: You must check in at Manzanita Village from 7:30-9:15am.
Transfer Orientation: You must check in at Campbell Hall from 8:30-9:45am.
It takes approximately 10 minutes to walk from the parking lot to the check-in area.
Please allow extra time for parking and walking to check-in.
Freshmen who are declared Dance, Theater, or Music majors must check in by 8:15am
in order to attend an advising meeting with their department at 8:45am.
Freshmen:
- Your UCSBnetID and password -
see What to Bring for instructions
- Money - for parking ($8 per weekday; parking fees are subject to change)
and for Access student ID card ($25)
- Unofficial copies of transcripts from coursework at other colleges or universities
- Casual, comfortable clothes; walking shoes; jacket for evening
- For those who are staying overnight in an on-campus residence hall
- alarm clock, personal toiletries, bathrobe (restrooms are not adjoined to bedrooms)
Sheets, blankets, towels, and pillow are provided for those who are staying
overnight in an on-campus residence hall during the freshman program.
Transfers:
- You MUST bring several copies of transcripts from all colleges and universities you've attended;
unofficial copies of transcripts are acceptable
- Your New Student Profile if it has been prepared; check online at
GOLD - Gaucho On-Line Data
- Money - for parking ($8 per weekday; parking fees are subject to change)
and for Access Student ID card ($25)
- Walking shoes
Yes. You will need to purchase a visitor parking permit from the dispenser in the parking lot upon arrival.
Display the permit on your dashboard. Parking fees are $8 per day on weekdays and $4 per day on weekends.
Follow the signs to Orientation parking when you arrive on campus.
Be sure to purchase a visitor parking permit from the dispenser in the parking lot and
display it on your dashboard. See Parking & Directions to UCSB
for parking location, fees, maps, and directions.
- In order to park on campus, you must purchase a parking permit
- You may not park in spaces marked Enforced At All Times, Reserved, or Restricted
- Please observe all parking signage; parking violations are subject to citation
Is Orientation mandatory?
Orientation is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended.
Freshmen: Approximately 95% of the incoming freshman class attends Orientation.
At Freshman Orientation, you will participate in small groups for extensive academic advising and
register for fall classes appropriate for your first quarter. You'll also learn about campus life,
student services, and get a chance to meet some of your new classmates.
Transfers: Approximately 84% of the incoming transfer class attends Orientation.
At Transfer Orientation, you will meet with an advisor in your major and obtain information about course
selection and graduation requirements. Your attendance at Transfer Orientation will enable you to
register early for fall classes after the conclusion of all of the Orientation sessions in mid-August.
We recommend it! Parents attend a separate but concurrent program that addresses
their unique needs, and introduces them to campus resources and academic life at UCSB.
Which Orientation session should I attend if I am in the College of Creative Studies?
Students who are admitted to the College of Creative Studies should select one of the following session dates
to attend Freshman Orientation: July 1-2, July 11-12, July 15-16, July 25-26, August 1-2, or August 5-6.
These sessions will have specific advising and programming for CCS students and their parents.
Which Orientation session should I attend if I am in the Freshman Summer Start Program?
Students enrolled in the Freshmen Summer Start Program (FSSP) are encouraged to attend an
Orientation session before arriving on campus for the start of FSSP.
The sessions beginning June 27-28 through July 29-30 all take place before FSSP begins.
Will I register for my fall classes at Orientation?
Freshmen will register at Orientation for fall classes that are appropriate for their
first quarter at UCSB.
Transfer students who attend Transfer Orientation will have the opportunity to register early
for fall classes after the conclusion of all of the Orientation sessions in mid-August.
Will I have a better chance of getting my preferred classes if I attend an early session?
Each Freshman Orientation session provides the same in-depth academic advising and fair access
to course enrollments. Orientation Programs distributes available class space in appropriate freshman courses
equally throughout the Orientation sessions.
Should I wait to attend Orientation until my pending AP and/or IB scores are in?
It is not necessary to wait to come to Orientation. Students with pending AP or IB scores will be
able to register for a full set of courses appropriate for their first quarter at UCSB.
The AP Math test score is the only exception. See
AP Exam Results on this website for more information on AP Math test scores.
Math: The Calculus Placement Test is not a requirement
for most students at UCSB. However, for certain majors the exam is necessary
to place you in a math class. See the Placement Exams
section of this website to determine whether you need to take the exam.
Students who intend to take Calculus in the fall must either complete the Calculus Placement Test online
prior to coming to Orientation or have scored a 2 or higher on the AP Calculus AB or BC exam.
The Calculus Placement Test is available online
at http://hw.math.ucsb.edu/placementtest/.
See the Math Department website for
details on math placement.
Please note: Students with college level coursework in Calculus do not need
to take the Calculus Placement Test, but do need to bring copies of the
transcripts from the Calculus course to Orientation.
Writing: The Analytical Writing Placement Exam (AWPE) is not administered
during Orientation. For students who did not take the AWPE when it was offered in May,
and who have not satisfied the Entry Level Writing Requirement in any other way,
the exam will be offered at UCSB prior to the beginning of classes in September.
Advisors at Orientation will let students
know whether or not they have already met this requirement. Please see the UC website at
http://www.ucop.edu/elwr/
for detailed information about the AWPE.
For those who choose the Program With Accommodations option, overnight accommodations
are provided in an on-campus residence hall, double occupancy, with students and parents roomed separately.
Students are roomed with another student. The parents of a student are roomed together;
parents attending alone will be placed with another same-sex parent roommate. The overnight is between the
two full days of the session (Monday night or Thursday night).
Sheets, blankets, towels, and pillow are provided. Space in campus accommodations is limited.
Those who choose the Program Only option will need to arrange their own overnight accommodations.
Local accommodations are listed on this website.
Can I change my session date or other details of my reservation?
Any change to your reservation is subject to availability and it is preferred that
changes be made well in advance of your session date. You can make changes
to your reservation through the online system up to 10 days in advance of your session.
Within 10 days, please call Orientation Reservations at 805-893-2197 for assistance.
You must call us directly if you need to cancel your entire reservation,
as this cannot be done online.
See the Freshman or
Transfer Reserve Your Space section
of this website to access the online reservation system.
Why do I have to pay for Orientation?
Orientation Programs is self-supported and non-profit. We receive no state money
to offset the costs of the program.
Is there a fee reduction available for the cost of Orientation?
Yes. A limited number of fee reductions are available to eligible students from families with an annual income
of $35,000 or less. If you qualify, you may apply for a fee reduction by completing and mailing the
Freshman or
Transfer
Application for a Fee Reduction on this website. Fee reductions are allocated based on need and in the
order we receive applications until funds are depleted. Fee reductions are not available for parent program fees.
When will I be billed for Orientation?
All Orientation charges, including program fees for parents, will be billed at the end of summer to the student’s
UCSB billing account known as the BARC Billing Statement. Fee payment deadlines will be noted on the statement.
Can I pay by credit card?
All Orientation fees are billed to the student’s UCSB BARC Billing Statement.
The Billing Office does not accept credit card payments.