Review the following frequently asked questions for more information about Freshman Orientation.
Orientation is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended. Approximately 95% of the incoming freshman class attends Orientation. At Freshman Orientation, you will participate in small groups for academic guidance, one-on-one advising, and registration 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.
Freshman Orientation: Orientation check-in runs from 7:30 AM - 9:10 AM on the first day of your session (either Monday or Thursday). Every program participant (students, parents, and guests) must check in individually. This is how you will receive your essential program schedule and important materials. We recommend arriving early so you have time to participate in the morning tours before the Welcome Assembly begins. Coffee and tea will be provided at check-in!
Declared Dance, Music and Theater majors must check in by 8:15am in order to attend an advising meeting with your department.
Review the Before Your Session section for a packing list and additional tasks to complete prior to Orientation including important instructions about your UCSB Net ID and a laptop or tablet for course registration.
Follow the signs to Orientation parking (Lot 22) when you arrive on campus. Parking fees are $8 per day.
You will need to purchase a visitor parking permit from one of the pay stations which accept credit cards or cash ($1 and $5 bills only - no change is given) or use the Park Mobile app.
See Directions to UCSB and Parking for Freshman Orientation for parking location, 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, Restricted, or Coastal Access
- Please observe all parking signage; parking violations are subject to citation
Students who are admitted to the College of Creative Studies should select one of the following two-day sessions to attend the 2025 Freshman Orientation:
- Session 4: Thursday-Friday, July 10-11
- Session 5: Monday-Tuesday, July 14 & 15
- Session 8: Thursday-Friday, July 24 & 25
- Session 9: Monday-Tuesday, July 28 & 29
- Session 10: Thursday-Friday, July 31 & August 1
- Session 12: Thursday-Friday, August 7 & 8 (online program)
All sessions will have specific advising and programming for CCS students and their parents.
2026 dates will be updated in April.
If you are enrolled in the Freshman Summer Start Program (FSSP), plan to attend any Orientation session before FSSP begins. To make travel easier, we recommend reserving a spot in the final in-person Orientation session (Session 10) as you will be able to transition directly to FSSP at the conclusion of the Orientation program.
Course registration will take place during each session, both in-person and online. Course seats are distributed evenly across all sessions. The same amount of course seats will be available for each class regardless of when your Orientation session is.
It is not necessary to wait to attend Orientation if you have pending AP or IB scores. You will still be able to register for a full set of courses appropriate for their first quarter at UCSB. Come prepared by reviewing the Academic Information & Course Registration section of our website.
We recommend it! Parents and guests attend a separate but concurrent program that addresses their unique needs, and introduces them to campus resources and academic life at UCSB.
Math: Depending on your major, you may need to complete the Math Placement Process prior to your Orientation session. You could be placed in a math course based on your AP, IB, or A-Level exam scores or if you are coming in with college credit. See more information about the Math Placement Process on the Placement Exam section of our Academic Information & Course Registration page of our website.
Writing: UCSB’s Collaborative Writing Placement assessment places students in the appropriate writing course to satisfy the Entry Level Writing Requirement. The Entry Level Writing Requirement is a University of California requirement that all students must fulfill during their first year. This writing requirement can also be satisfied through SAT, ACT, AP, or IB scores or through college credit. See more information about the Writing Placement Process on the Placement Exam section (below the Math Placement Process area) of our Academic Information & Course Registration page of our website.
If you choose the Program With Accommodations option, you will stay overnight in an on-campus residence hall. The overnight is between the two full days of the session (Monday night or Thursday night). Sheets, blankets, towels, and pillow are provided. Please note that the residence hall does not have air conditioning. Most students choose to stay overnight in the on-campus residence hall.
If you choose the Program Only option, you will need to arrange your own overnight accommodations.
Students must attend both days of the two-day Orientation program. Parents and guests must arrange their own accommodations.
Review the Overnight Options for Students on the Program Overview page of our website.
Parents who are attending the Parent Orientation program must make their own overnight arrangements separately.
For UCSB-hosted accommodations, San Joaquin Villages, the Summer Inn, and the Club And Guest House offer overnight reservations open to the public.
The Hotels and Lodging section of our website contains a list of hotels in the surrounding areas of Goleta and Santa Barbara. Quick disclaimer: UCSB does not specifically endorse or have any formal affiliation with any of the hotels listed.
Parents must make their reservation and payment for overnight accommodations separately from the Orientation reservation.
You can make changes yourself through the reservation system up to 7 days before your session starts. If you need to make changes within 7 days of your Orientation session or if you need to complete cancel your reservation, email us at orientation@sa.ucsb.edu with your change/cancellation request.
Orientation Programs is a fully self-supported UCSB department. We do not receive state money or campus funding to offset the costs of the program. Program fees cover the logistical costs of the program (space rentals, food, student lodging, catering, etc.), staff salaries, new student transitions programming.
All Orientation charges, including program fees for parents, will be billed in late August to the your UCSB billing account known as the BARC Billing Statement. Fee payment deadlines will be noted on the statement.
Payment by credit card or check is not accepted by Orientation Programs.
Review the Fees and Billing section of our Program Overview page for more information.
A limited number of fee reductions are available to eligible students from families with an annual income of $45,000 or less. If you qualify, you may apply by completing the Application for a Fee Reduction which is available through a link on the bottom of our Fees and Billing section of our Program Overview page. 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.
Our campus dining commons can accommodate many diets with a variety of food options available. Dining commons menus will be posted online for the current day, plus six days in advance, and guests may use this Food Facts Tool to identify common allergens and determine safe foods to consume.
Additionally, for guests with medically required gluten-free diets, there is a secured, Gluten-Free Cabinet in each dining commons that can be accessed with advance notice and coordination with our Dietitian. Any guests following a medically required gluten-free diet should contact sa-orientation@ucsb.edu at least ten days prior to their Orientation session.
All family members are welcome to join the Parent and Family Orientation Program. All guests must be registered on your online reservation. Please note that Orientation does not have a separate program or activities for younger siblings or children.