International Students

Welcome

As an incoming international undergraduate student at the University of California, Irvine, you are invited to take part in the Freshman Summer Start Program, an innovative opportunity that will provide you with a rich linguistic, academic, social, and personal foundation for the next four years. The program is designed to support the special needs of students new to our country as well as to provide the opportunity to build relationships with domestic students.

Program Features

  • Acclimate to your new American environment
  • Gain confidence and fluency in using English in everyday living and in the UCI setting
  • Earn UCI academic units that will count towards your undergraduate degree
  • Make lasting friendships with other incoming international and American freshmen
  • Get comfortable with the UCI campus and its abundant resources
  • Become familiar with UCI’s academic rigor
  • Join exclusive social events with other American and international Freshman Summer Start students
  • Participate in workshops designed to prepare you to succeed in your UCI studies
  • Receive maximum support under ideal conditions

Housing

Living on campus during the Freshman Summer Start Program is an optional, though highly recommended aspect of the program. You will live in the Arroyo Vista on-campus student housing community that consists of small houses that feature 16-32 double-occupancy rooms and communal spaces including kitchens and laundry facilities. We recommend purchasing a 30, 45 or 50 meal plan depending on your desired number of weekly meals. Visit the Housing page for more information about the Arroyo Vista Housing Community. Summer meal plan information will be provided in our Welcome Guide, which is sent via e-mail after your enrollment is processed.

Events

The program features a daily calendar of academic support and social activities that range from study skills workshops to college lifestyle seminars to pizza and pool parties. Visit the Events page for more information on Freshman Summer Start Program activities.

Special Support for International students

  • Airport pick-up – When you arrive at LAX, we will have someone there to greet you.
  • Our friendly Summer Session staff members will be available to you throughout the program.
  • Contact us now with any questions about the program or the application process. We’d love to hear from you: summer-freshman@uci.edu

Visa

If you need an F-1 visa to study at UC Irvine, your I-20 documentation will be processed by the UCI International Center. The start date of your I-20 can be changed to August 3rd once your Freshman Summer Start International Enrollment Form and payment are received and processed by our office. Follow the instructions given in your UCI Admissions correspondence. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the necessary steps to obtain a visa with UC Irvine.

Academics

Early Start International students will enroll in University Studies 84 and Academic English 22. As an international student, you must remain enrolled as a full-time student (minimum 6 units in Summer Session) to satisfy the requirements of your F-1 student visa.

Take the opportunity this summer to establish a firm foundation for your success in your courses throughout your undergraduate career at UCI.

  1. University Studies 84: Bridges to University Success (4-units of academic credit)
    The course is designed to help first-year students make a successful transition to the University of California, Irvine and develop strategies that will enhance their university experience. Through lectures, discussion, course assignments, and activities, students will learn about campus resources and programs that support their transition and enhance their academic development. Writing assignments will introduce you to university-level writing expectations.

    The lecture portion of this course meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:00pm to 6:20pm, and the writing component meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:30am to 11:50am.

    You will receive official academic credits for this course that will be recorded on your UC Irvine undergraduate transcript.
  2. Academic English 22B: Reading and Vocabulary
    (2-units of academic credit)
    You will learn to speak and understand English with more confidence through extensive reading and discussion with emphasis on journal articles, textbook chapters, note-taking, and the interpretation of charts, diagrams, tables, and figures. Pass/Not Pass only.

    This course meets Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 2:00 to 3:50pm.

    This course is included in the program curriculum to give you the foundation to ensure success in your undergraduate years.

Important Dates and Enrollment

We want to hear from you as soon as possible, so please contact us at summer-freshman@uci.edu with questions about our program.

Go to the Freshman Summer Start Program Enroll page to view enrollment steps. Your I-20 documentation will be processed by the UCI International Center. The start date of your I-20 can be changed to August 3rd once your Freshman Summer Start International Enrollment Form and payment are received and processed by our office. Follow the instructions given in your UCI Admissions correspondence. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the necessary steps to obtain a visa with UC Irvine.

Enrollment Form Due Date June 3, 2013 (This is the last possible date. We recommend you register as soon as possible.)
Program Start Date August 3, 2013
Program End Date September 12, 2013




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 . . .