Welcome to UC Santa Cruz!
Photo by Casey Weiss.
About Summer Orientation
It is an expectation that all new students attend Orientation. UC Santa Cruz Orientation is a great way to begin your university experience as you enter a new community, a community of scholars. Orientation is designed to welcome new students and families to the university, and to promote scholarly and social opportunities for students’ academic and personal success at UC Santa Cruz. Sessions fill on a first-come, first-served basis.
While at Orientation, you will have the opportunity to enroll in fall quarter classes. You will also receive advising, tour the campus, learn about campus resources such as learning support services, safety resources, the Health Center, financial aid, the Ethnic Resource Centers, college and university housing, student groups, career services, take your student ID picture, and develop connections with students and staff who will assist in your academic and personal endeavors.
Transfer Students participate in the on-campus transfer orientation one-day program.
Frosh Students have two options to participate in an on-campus orientation:
- One-day program: This program runs from 8:00am to 5:00pm. A concurrent, but separate, family program also runs at the same time.
- Overnight program: This three-day, two-night program is full of sessions and activities to help you (the student) become more acquainted with the campus and its resources. Overnight accommodations are provided for the students as part of the program. Family members can join this program on the third day.
To register, go to your MyUCSC portal.
Right to Privacy
In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), UC Santa Cruz Orientation Office protects the confidentiality of any student’s records. Access to a student’s Orientation records will be given to the student only.
