What is Transfer Orientation?
Whether you join us in-person at UCSB or complete the online module, Orientation is your first step toward becoming a Gaucho!
Get Started with Academics
Get to know UCSB's academic expectations and requirements while understanding how your transfer credit fits into your academic plan and prepare to register for Fall classes with confidence!
Discover What Makes UCSB Special
You've done the groundwork; now make it official. Dive into the UCSB experience by touring campus, learning about transfer-specific resources, and feeling our vibrant campus culture.
Connect and Get Involved
Meet other new students and learn the many ways to make the most of your time at UCSB! Our staff and student leaders are here to answer all of your questions and help you feel right at home.
Special note: Course registration will not take place at Transfer Orientation. You will register separately during your Pass Time listed in GOLD.
Parents & Families: We offer a Parent & Family Orientation Program that runs alongside our student program where they will learn more about UCSB, meet campus staff, and discover ways to continue supporting you throughout your college journey.
Transfer Orientation Program Overview
Transfer Orientation is a comprehensive, two-part program consisting of an initial online module followed by an in-person session on the UCSB campus. While attendance is not mandatory, completing both components is highly recommended to facilitate a smooth transition.
1. The Transfer Orientation Online Module
This foundational online module provides a targeted overview of the UCSB academic landscape through the lens of a transfer student. It moves beyond general requirements to offer major-specific guidance, with special welcome messages from your major department with important information.
In addition to academic planning, the module serves as a digital directory for specialized campus resources, such as the Transfer Student Center and Career Services, ensuring you have the logistical knowledge needed to navigate the university efficiently from day one.
By completing the Transfer Orientation Online Module, you will be able to register early for your Fall classes. In order to receive an earlier registration pass time, you must spend at least 45 minutes completing the online module. You do not need to complete the Transfer Student Module in one sitting; if you exit, then log in at a later time, the module will save your progress. The deadline to complete the module to receive an earlier registration time is Monday, August 4, 2025.
Note: The Transfer Orientation Online Module is an official part of the comprehensive Transfer Orientation Program for which there is a fee. See Fees & Billing for more details.
2. In-Person Transfer Orientation Program
The following is an unofficial program overview for Transfer Orientation. Your official Orientation schedule will be provided at Check-In.
Program Schedule:
- 8:00 - 9:15am Check-In +
- Receive program materials.
- Experience campus tours including a Library Tour and General Campus Tours that depart at varying times.
- 9:15 - 9:45am Welcome Assembly & Dean's Address +
- 10:00 - 10:50am Breakout Sessions +
- Sessions held relating to multiple campus resources: College Meetings, Campus Learning Assistance Services, Education Abroad Program, Basic Needs.
- 11:00 - 11:50am Breakout Sessions +
- Sessions held relating to multiple campus resources: College of Letters and Science, Recreation, Career Services.
- 12:00 - 1:20pm Resource Fair & Lunch on Your Own +
- Connected with over 25 campus departments at the resource fair while you enjoy lunch from one of the many eateries at UCSB or in Isla Vista
- 1:20 - 3:30pm Academic Department Meetings
- Meet with your major academic department to learn more about specific major requirements and suggestions for Fall quarter courses. Meeting ending times vary by department.
- 2:00 - 4:00pm Transfer Student Center Open House +
- Tour the Transfer Student Center and learn about the services offered and see the cozy space dedicated to transfer students.
- 2:30 - 4:00pm How to Use GOLD Workshops ▩
- Prepare for registration by learning the basics of GOLD and how to navigate through the system with ease. Workshops will be offered at multiple times throughout this time block.
- 3:30 - 4:30pm Education Opportunity Program Meeting +
- All EOP participants and their families are encouraged to learn more about EOP resources and services designed to help ease the transition to UCSB and promote success.
Reminder: These times are approximations. Always refer to your official program schedule or email communication from Orientation Programs for exact times.
+ Activities where students and parents are together. See Parent Orientation on this website for Parent Program Overview.
▩ Activities which require laptops.
Major Department Meeting Information
Transfer students who attend the in-person orientation will meet with their major department during the session for an academic meeting and/or academic advising. Please note that the academic meeting format varies by department.
If you choose not to attend in-person Transfer Orientation, you may not be able to receive direct guidance from your major academic department until after all Transfer Orientation sessions have completed. Before making an appointment to speak with your major academic department advisor, you should complete the Transfer Orientation Online Module.
Transfer Orientation Session Dates
Summer 2026 Program Dates will be updated in April 2026
2025 Transfer Orientation Session Dates
- Monday, August 11
- Tuesday, August 12
- Wednesday, August 13
- Thursday, August 14
- Friday, August 15
The Transfer Edge Program is run through Summer Sessions and is separate from Transfer Orientation. If you are participating in the Transfer Edge Program and are unable to attend a full day of Transfer Orientation, we welcome and encourage you to attend the portions of the program that work with your summer schedule. You can even return to the program on different days to attend the pieces that you missed.
Overnight Options for Transfer Orientation
You may choose to stay on-campus during Transfer Orientation
Transfer students and transfer student families can reserve space before or after their Orientation session through university-owned or independent lodging options.
San Joaquin Villages, the Summer Inn, and The Club And Guest House offer overnight reservations open to the public. All locations are conveniently located near UCSB!
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.
Fees & Billing
Summer 2026 Program Fees will be updated in April 2026
Note: No payment is due when you reserve your Orientation session.
2025 Transfer Orientation Program Fees
Because Transfer Orientation is a two-part program with an online module and an in-person program, the Transfer Orientation fee covers both parts of the comprehensive orientation. We highly recommend for incoming transfer students to complete both parts of the orientation program for a smooth transition. There is not a separate fee for only completing one part of the orientation process.
Comprehensive Transfer Orientation Fee: $78 (includes both the online module and the in-person program)
- You will be charged the full fee amount even if you only complete one step of the process.
Transfer Orientation Parent & Family Program Fee: $29
Orientation Programs is a self-supported department funded 100% by program fees; no state or campus funding is provided to offset the costs of the program. In addition to covering staff salaries and programmatic expenses, the orientation fee covers the cost of all new student education requirements and courses designed to introduce new students to the University.
Billing Information
Program fees for all participants will be billed in the Fall on the student's UCSB BARC billing statement. Students are required to pay the full amount of fees for all participants, including parents and family, who attended UCSB's Orientation Program. Fee payment deadlines will be noted on the BARC statement. Fees are assessed per person.
Orientation fees are ONLY billed through a student's UCSB BARC statement for Fall quarter. We do not accept check, credit or debit card payments directly to our department.
Financial Assistance
If financial concerns are keeping you from participating in Orientation, please consider the following:
- No payment is due when you make a reservation, you won't be charged until late August through your Fall BARC billing statement along with all other UCSB tuition and fees.
- UCSB offers a payment plan for quarterly fees and charges. See the UCSB Billing website for information about whether a payment plan would be helpful to you.
- UCSB Orientation Programs offers a limited number of fee reductions. Fee reductions are available to eligible students from families with an annual income of $45,000 or less. These are awarded based on need and in the order we receive applications under funds and depleted.
- Fee reduction applications will not be processed if it is not connected to an Orientation reservation. You must reserve your space in an Orientation session for your fee reduction application to be considered. There is no payment due when you make a reservation.