Advantages
Start Earning UCI Units
Take a maximum of two courses and earn up to 8 units of UCI credit. Start early and get on track to finish your degree in four years! Even if you are not taking courses for your major, you can still take courses that fulfill general education requirements. General education requirements are graduation requirements that each student must complete, and general education courses are often good choices for students just getting started at UCI.
Bridge Scholarship students will complete a specific set of courses.
Explore Campus Resources
Become familiar with the layout of campus and learn what resources are available. More importantly, you will learn how to use these resources before the fall rush. You’ll have exclusive early access and orientation to places like the Career Center, the Anteater Recreation Center, the Learning and Academic Resource Center and more!
Become Involved in Research
By taking part in the Freshman Summer Start Program, you will be introduced to the UCI Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), which assists undergraduates in ANY discipline to find research and creative on-campus opportunities with faculty or off-campus opportunities with industrial partners, national labs, and other universities. Through this collaboration, you will have the distinct advantage of understanding how to become involved in research opportunities at UCI before most Freshman Students even step foot on campus!
98% of the 2009 Freshman Summer Start participants who completed a post program survey indicated they now feel more confident about their ability to transition socially to UCI.
Gain Confidence
& Make New Friends
Freshman Summer Start students have the unique opportunity to be part of a special group of incoming Freshmen. Imagine having a community of friends before the school year even begins! With a smaller starting group, Freshman Summer Start students are able to form cohesive friendships that will last a lifetime!
I am very thankful for this experience. I feel like I now have the upper hand...I learned a lot over a small amount of time, not to mention I made great friends. I loved this program! 2012 Freshman Summer Start Student
" I am very thankful for this experience. I feel like I now have the upper hand...I learned a lot over a small amount of time, not to mention I made great friends. I loved this program!" - 2012 Freshman Summer Start Participant
Join in Extracurricular Activities
As a Freshman Summer Start student, you will be invited to exclusive extracurricular events such as the Summer Session Sunset Festival, sporting activities, movie nights, special dinners, house and community activities with the Freshman Summer Start Staff, academic preparation workshops, and much more (specific activities may vary)!
Specially Designed Workshops
Participate in specially designed workshops that cover areas such as time management, study skills, college composition, studying abroad, and career planning, designed to help you be successful at UCI.
International Students
As an international student, you will have the opportunity to be acculturated to your new American environment, and gain confidence and fluency using English in everyday living and in the UCI setting. You will have a special team of UCI staff members ready to help you transition to UCI and a group of like-minded students to help support you in your new surroundings. Special English Reading and Vocabulary, Writing, and University Transition coursework will prepare you for your UCI fall classes.
Freshman Summer Start Program is for all new students who will be entering UCI as Freshmen in fall 2013. There are three pathways within Freshman Summer Start; see which of them is best for you . . .
