Freshman FAQs
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How do I know what books I need for class?
Beginning September 17th, you can visit this site to obtain the names and titles of books for your classes: http://www.ucrcampusstore.ucr.edu/SelectTermDept.aspx

Where can I buy books?
You can purchase books from the UCR Campus Store (on campus), the University Book Exchange (off-campus at 229 W Big Springs Rd. (951) 682-3634), or your favorite online resource (www.textbook.com or www.amazon.com). Keep shipping in mind when ordering online. You want the books BEFORE classes begin.

How do I change my major before school starts?
Visit the Admissions Office before the third week of fall quarter and identify yourself as a new, incoming freshman. They will provide you with a specific form to complete and submit. After the third week of the quarter, see your advisor.

What is an academic advisor?
An academic advisor is similar to your high school counselor. The academic advisor is your first point of reference for any questions you might have about anything. If they don’t know they answer, they can connect you to the person that does.

What can an academic advisor do for me? When should I see an academic advisor?
Your academic advisor will help you navigate the University and College’s policies, as well as providing you with advice and suggestions on how to take full advantage of the resources and opportunities available to you.

See an advisor when you have questions about what courses to take, when you’re trying to plan a long-term schedule, and when you experience any difficulty that will affect your grades and academic status.

Who is my assigned academic advisor, where and how can I contact my academic advisor?
 http://www.engr.ucr.edu/studentaffairs/

Go to the website listed above. On the right side of the screen are your advisor’s hours of availability for the day. For walk-in advising, go to the Student Affairs Office for your advisor’s respective time. The Student Affairs Office is located on Bourns A159.  Walk in and follow the directions: fill out the form, get it time stamped, and drop it into your advisor’s box, have a seat in the lobby, and you will be called based on your arrival. For appointments, email your advisor and set up a time. On your appointment day, fill out the info like a walk-in and it works the same way.

My Math or Chem class has a lecture/lab and discussion. Do I have to sign up for and attend both?
Yes. The discussion/lab needs to match the appropriate lecture section.

Why can’t I use my Yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail, etc, email account at school? 
All campus communication is sent to your webmail account. You are at risk of missing important messages if you use another account. The campus will even guarantee that you’ll have enough available space to receive crucial emails and that there won’t be any delays. The other providers will not.

I have a mistake on my bill.  Who do I contact?
Contact Student Business Services (951-827-3204) or sbsofc@ucr.edu.

I still need a place to live.  Who do I contact?
Contact Housing (951-827-6350) or housinginfo@ucr.edu.

I just finished my UCR summer course, when can I change my schedule?
Once your grade is official and in your file, contact your assigned academic advisor to assist you in enrolling in the course.

I took some classes at another school.  How do I transfer the grades to UCR?
Visit the Admissions & Records, Registrar, or similar office at the school you attended. You will likely have to file paperwork to request the transcripts be sent to UCR’s Admissions Office.

My grade at the other school wasn’t very good.  Should I still transfer it?
It depends on the class. If it was at least a D- and not required for your major, you will still receive credit for having met the requirement. The bonus is that the grade won’t be calculated in your UCR GPA. However, if you haven’t mastered the subject, and it’s an important part of your degree, your advisor will recommend that you repeat the course. Contact your assigned academic advisor for a more personalized answer.

I sent my AP scores to UCR, but they haven’t been received yet. How do I register for classes?
If you have a copy of your score report, fax it to your assigned academic advisor. Then send a polite e-mail and request their assistance in registering. It is your responsibility to ensure that an official score report is received prior to registration for winter quarter. Each department reserves the right to remove you from the class is the official score report is not received.

When can I register for classes?
If you attended Bear Facts Orientation, you registered for classes at Orientation. Students who didn’t attend Bear Facts could have registered in August, during approximately the third week. When you are a continuing student, your appointment time will change each quarter. It is based on the number of units that you earn each quarter and year. You’ll receive notice of your appointment time and date around the 6th week of each quarter.

I can’t make my registration appointment time, can I reschedule?
Your appointment time is the earliest that you can register for classes. It is not an appointment with your academic advisor. You can register any time following that appointment prior to GROWL closing.

Can I meet with someone to plan my schedule?
Yes. Email your advisor ahead of time to determine the best time for you to come in and meet.

I already went to Bear Facts Orientation, so why do I need to attend the Mandatory Dean’s Orientation?
Mandatory Dean’s Orientation provides a more in depth explanation of what to expect the upcoming year academically and socially. You’ll also get to meet faculty and students who will share their experiences with you.

When is the Mandatory Dean’s Orientation for the Bourns College of Engineering (BCOE)?
Tuesday, September 25th at 11:30 a.m. Check the News page of the Student Affairs website and your campus webmail account for details.

I gave my contact info to a BCOE student chapter of a professional organization, but they haven’t contacted me. Now what?
Student organizations are usually inactive during the summer. Some members will be available at the Mandatory Dean’s Orientation to give out information about their first general meeting. Go to the meeting and join the club then.

I know that I will need help with Chemistry.  Where can I get assistance?
There are many resources available on campus that will help you get through Chemistry and almost every class on campus. Visit the Learning Center, your TAs, your Professor, and also make use of your classmates. Working together is what works best. Also, most of Engineering students have Supplemental Instruction built into their schedules. BCOE also offers study jams with the assistance of the student chapters of professional organizations, through Success Counselors, and Academic Excellence Workshop Facilitators.

What is a detailed email message?
A detailed email message includes your name, student ID, a polite request, and a recap of any previous correspondence. We cannot identify you from your email address alone. Please allow 24 hours for a response.

How do I know when important dates/events occur?
 http://www.engr.ucr.edu/studentaffairs/

See dates of interest in the top right hand corner of the page. Also check out the News page on the Student Affairs site, the Academic Calendar (accessible through the Schedule of Classes), the main UCR web page, and keep checking your email.

I still need to take placement exams.  What should I do?
Check with your advisor first. You may not need to take all of the exams you are considering. BCOE only requires the Math Advisory and Analytical Writing Placement Exams. The Chemistry and Language placement exams are unnecessary. To register for the Math Advisory Exam, go to this site:  www.placementtest.ucr.edu.   

All the classes I want are closed and I need 12 units for financial aid.  Can I just take any class in order to be a full-time student?
Consult your advisor first. There may be some options that you haven’t considered that will allow you to take courses that will fulfill requirements and continue making progress toward your degree.

I want to be a part-time student in the fall. Will my bill be automatically reduced?
No. You need to see your advisor and request part-time status. If you are enrolled in less than 10 units, you are eligible for a 50% reduction of the educational fee. This fee reduction must be done before the end of the third week of classes.

I want a double major or a minor. How do I arrange this?
First, give yourself at least a quarter to adjust to university life. After that, you may petition to declare a second major within the College, or in another undergraduate college. A declaration of a second major must be approved by the Associate Dean(s) and filed with the Office of Student Academic Affairs.

You may only graduate with a double major when all requirements for both majors are complete. Should you opt to drop a second major, you must then complete all requirements related to the remaining major in order to graduate.

Contact your advisor to discuss in further detail.

I have a registration hold. What do I do?
Each registration hold is different for every student. Read the hold carefully and follow the directions given to clear the hold. If you have any questions, then is the time to contact your advisor.

I have a registration hold that says to contact Tara Brown. What do I do?
Read the message carefully. Most likely it is the Learning Community hold designed to prevent you from making changes to your schedule without contacting me first. If you do not have to make changes, then disregard the hold.  It only prevents you from changing your schedule. You are able to conduct any other kinds of business.

I think I’m going to drop this course and enroll in a different one. What are my options?
See your advisor immediately! You also need to be aware of important deadlines. Registration Deadlines:

Add Classes..............................end of 3rd week

Drop (without a "W")................ end of 2nd week

Drop (with a "W")..................... end of 6th week

Grading Basis Change............. end of 8th week

What does it mean to take a course S/NC?
You are allowed to change the grading basis from a letter grade to Satisfactory/No Credit (S/NC ) for courses in the Humanities and Social Science sections of the breadth requirements. You cannot S/NC English or any course required for your major (Math, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, etc). In order to earn an “S,” you must earn at least a C in the course. Any grade that is C- or lower results in “NC.” See your advisor for details.