Fall Quarter Admits

You are now a Banana Slug!

We know how exciting and intimidating it can be to join a new community; that is why we created Slug Orientation.

UC Santa Cruz is one of the first universities in the nation to offer orientation for credit! Slug Orientation is designed to ensure you start off strong from day one. Completing the required online Orientation Course will help alleviate confusion, provide you with important information you will need to be a successful student, and assist you in meeting critical deadlines.

All new first-year and transfer students that start fall quarter are automatically enrolled in the required to participate and complete the one-credit Orientation Course.

We expect you to be engaged with the course throughout the summer. You will gain access to each part of the course automatically once it is available, as long as you have completed the previous part.

Plan for the following: 

• Access your UCSC email: Two to three business days after accepting your admission offer (completed your Statement of Intent to Register), you become eligible for a campus email account. Log in to email.ucsc.edu with your CruzID and Gold password. Official email correspondence from the campus is sent to your UCSC email account. Check out the Guide to Technology at UCSC for Students for more instructions and additional technology information
• Submit your ID card photo by July 3: A personalized link will be sent to your UCSC email with instructions on how to upload your student ID card photo. Follow the photo submission requirements carefully to get your photo approved.
• Understand the one-credit Orientation Course process: All new first-year and transfer students are automatically enrolled in the one-credit Orientation Course. Pass the required course by staying engaged throughout the summer. The grade you earn in the course (Pass or No Pass) will appear on your official UC Santa Cruz transcript.
• Complete the Orientation Course Parts and assignments by the course deadlines:
  • Part 1: Getting Started (available on June 25) provides information on the univeristy structure, has critical admissions deadline reminders, and includes academic and career guides.You will only have access to Part 2 if you fullly complete Part 1
  • Part 2: Advising & Enrollment (available on July 7) focuses on advising and class enrollment preparation.
  • Part 3: Understanding My University (available on August 10) provides academic and social resources to help you successfully transition to the university, move-in preparation guidance, and contains Fall Welcome Week information.
• Enroll in Classes: You must complete Parts 1 & 2 of the course, and submit your official transcripts to the Admissions Office, in order to receive a date to enroll for fall classes  (enrollment appointment).

The required one-unit Orientation Course will:

• Provide you with information in a timely manner and connect you to your Orientation Leaders (current students) who can assist you in finding answers to your important questions.
• Connect you with advising resources.
• Give you the tools necessary for choosing and enrolling in your first fall quarter classes.
• Encourage respectful engagement in your inclusive and multicultural community.
• Support your transition into a research university.
• Inspire you to get involved and be engaged with the campus. 
  
• Introduce you to vital campus resources such as Learning Support Services, safety resources, the Health Center, financial aid, the resource centers, college and university housing, student groups, and Career Success.
  
• Welcome you and your family to the UC Santa Cruz community.

You are also expected to:

• Actively participate in Fall Welcome Week.
• Fully complete the We Are Slugs! (Alcohol.edu; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Title IX requirements) program or risk a winter class enrollment hold.
• Engage with Orientation Leaders (OL) throughout the summer. OLs are current and recently graduated UCSC students that provide first-hand experience and are ready to answer your questions. Your OL Team will guide you throughout your journey, including helping you enroll in classes.
  • For academic advising support you should contact your college or major advisors.