Freshman Summer Start Program (FSSP) and Orientation

Students enrolled in the Freshman Summer Start Program (FSSP) may attend any Orientation session before the start of FSSP. The 2024 FSSP start date is Friday, August 2. Submit your reservation promptly! Space in each Orientation session is limited and session dates will close when they are full. See the Reserve Your Space section of this website to access the online reservation system.

FAQ

Attending Orientation is highly recommended for all incoming students. It provides an important and valuable head start for new students, whether beginning UCSB in summer or fall quarter. While it is not mandatory, Orientation provides extensive academic advising, in addition to information from UCSB faculty, staff, and current students on how to be successful in the first year at college.

Students who attend Orientation will register for their fall courses during the two-day program.

During Orientation, you will enroll in your fall courses. Planning for fall courses is easier when you have already selected the courses you will take while in FSSP during summer. To select your summer FSSP courses, if you haven't already done so, please see the FSSP Academics & Course Enrollment information prior to attending your Orientation session.
Freshman Summer Start Program

There is a Parent Orientation program during each Orientation session. If your FSSP student is attending the session on August 1-2, you have the same option to attend the Parent Orientation as with any other session.

If you choose not to attend the Parent Orientation during the August 1-2 session, please note that students will be in Orientation programming from Thursday morning through Friday afternoon, and will then go to their FSSP residence hall to participate in FSSP activities.

FSSP students will not have access to the FSSP residence hall until the program begins on Friday, August 2. Students will need to keep their move-in items in their Orientation residence hall room (if they choose to stay on campus for Orientation), or in their alternative overnight accommodations (local lodging) until Friday.


See the Program Overnight section of this website for program fee information for all freshman sessions.