Orientation 

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the date of orientation?

Why should I attend New Student Orientation?

Do I need to register in advance for orientation?

Why is there a fee for orientation?

Why does the Admissions office need my transcripts and test scores by January 2, 2009?

What if my final transcripts are not received by the deadline?

How can I be sure my official documents will be processed on time for orientation?

What placement exams will be offered? Who must take these exams?

As a transfer student, am I required to take placement exams?

What if I miss my orientation date, need to make changes, or cancel my registration?

What if the event that I want to attend is full?

What if I cannot attend orientation?

What is the date of orientation?
Spring Orientation is a one-day event held on Wednesday, January 13, 2010.  Check in will occur between 8:00-9:00 am in the Kolligian Library Lantern 155.  Please park in the Lake Parking Lot near the main entrance of campus using your free parking pass, sent to your UCM email address after your register for orientation. 

Why should I attend New Student Orientation?
Research indicates that students who attend New Student Orientation perform better in college and are more likely to graduate than those who do not attend.  New Student Orientation provides your only opportunity, in advance of beginning classes, to connect with professors and key administrators in person, meet other students, engage in group activities, and ask questions of many different program directors and deans in a single day.  Working with advisors and getting registered for your fall classes also helps to ease your pre-college jitters.  Most importantly, New Student Orientation provides you with a memorable day that will help to motivate you to succeed in college.

Do I need to register in advance for orientation?
Seating is limited. Food needs to be ordered in advance, and advising and registration materials also need to be prepared in advance for each participating student.  Therefore, requests for walk-in registrations will not be accommodated.  It is advisable to register as early as possible, in order to reserve your seat.  It is easy to register online; please use the link on the left of this page.  Online registration for Orientation will begin in November.

Why is there a fee for Orientation?
Orientation expenses such as staffing, materials, equipment and facility rental, in addition to staff travel needs and food for events are not covered by regular operating funds.  UC Merced’s orientation fees are as much as $50-100 lower than those charged at other institutions.  The Orientation fee is $65 per student and $65 per parent or guest.

Why does the Admissions office need my transcripts and test scores by January 6, 2010?
At Orientation, advisors will help you identify courses to take during your first semester.  Transcripts and test scores are needed by Admissions in advance to assure that documents are processed in time to provide the important information they contain to your advisor.  Your advisor will use the information provided by Admissions to assess your readiness for courses most appropriate to your goals.  The information in your transcripts and test scores is particularly important to determine your readiness for courses that have prerequisites listed in the 2009-11 UC Merced general catalog.

What if my final transcripts are not received by the deadline?
It is the student’s responsibility to see to it that all final transcripts and other materials are received by January 6, 2010.  Even if your materials do not arrive, you are strongly encouraged to attend orientation.  You will be permitted to participate in the advising process so that you will understand what kinds of courses in which you might enroll.  However, you may not be permitted to register until all of your materials have been received.

How can I be sure my official documents will be processed on time for orientation?
Click on the MyAdmissions page at https://my.ucmerced.edu.  Look for “Requirements” that have not been received.  Your MyAdmissions page will be updated with receipt dates when your transcripts and test scores arrive.  Ask you schools and colleges to use the following address for Admissions Processing:

UC Merced Admissions
5200 N. Lake Road
Merced, CA 95343-5603

Be sure to use UC Merced’s institution codes as you request official score reports:
ACT code: 0450
College Board code: 4129

What placement exams will be offered? Who must take these exams?
Most new freshmen will be required to take placement exams in math and chemistry, regardless of past accomplishments in these discipline areas.  Students who plan to study French, Spanish in the spring who have already some knowledge or previous academic study of the relevant language also will need to take placement exams.  You'll need to complete your placement exams at least one week prior to your orientation date. For more information, see placement exam link on the left of this page.  

As a transfer student, am I required to take placement exams?

Some transfer students also will be required to take placement exams in math and chemistry.  If you are a transfer student unsure about whether or not you need to take placement exams, please contact your academic advisor; you will find contact information on the contact us link. 

What if I miss my orientation date, need to make changes, or cancel my registration?

Refunds cannot be made.  Spaces are limited; and all new students are encouraged to make a strong commitment to attending, once they have submitted their registration.  You may edit your registration until two weeks prior to your orientation date.  A $20 administrative fee will be assessed for any registration changes after the two week deadline has passed.  In order to plan for your arrival, please note changes are not permitted within one week of your orientation date.  If, due to an unforeseen circumstance you must miss your orientation date, please call the Orientation Office at 209-228-SALC (7252).

What if the event that I want to attend is full?
Registration for New Student Orientation is provided on a first-come, first-serve basis.  All students are encouraged to register as early as possible in order to reserve a space.  Seating at each event is limited, and therefore once an event is listed as "closed" no further registrations will be offered.

What if I cannot attend orientation?
You are urged to search for ways to rearrange your vacation dates or work obligations in order to make attendance at New Student Orientation a priority.  Most employers understand the importance of this event for college students.  This is a critical step to take on your pathway to success in college.   If you cannot attend, please click on the contact us link to find out how to reach your academic advisor to register for classes.