Congratulations on your admission to UCI and the Samueli School of Engineering! Before starting in the fall, you must do some things to ensure a smooth transition.
First-year students are those who have graduated from high school but have not enrolled in a regular session at any college or university. If you attend a summer session immediately after graduating from high school, you are still considered a first-year applicant.
If you are an incoming international student, please visit our international students page for more information about your orientation requirements.
Step One: Register for Orientation
Sign up for the Student Parent Orientation Program, otherwise known as SPOP. This is MANDATORY for all new incoming first-year students! To sign up, click here.
Step Two: Take Placement Exams
Placement exams are required for most new first-year students. It is IMPORTANT to complete all your placement exams BEFORE your orientation date. Failure to do so will result in you being unable to enroll in your Fall courses.
Students without a qualifying score (SAT/ACT/AP Calculus) or college course credit are strongly encouraged to complete the Calculus Placement Test prior to their SPOP date.
Chemistry
Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering students have the option to enroll in either ENGR 1A or Chem 1A. Please refer to the details below.
Biomedical and Biomedical Engineering Premedical Students MUST enroll in Chem 1A
Computer Engineering and Computer Science Engineering majors do not need to take Chemistry 1A or Engineering 1A
ENGR 1A: General Chemistry for Engineers
Students are required to complete 85% of the ALEKS Refresher Course to enroll in ENGR 1A in the fall. Students are exempt from the ALEKS Refresher Course if they have AP Chemistry with a minimum score of 3 or SAT Subject Chemistry with minimum score of 600 or SAT Math with a minimum score of 600 or ACT Math with a minimum score of 27 or have completed or will be enrolled in Math 2A (or equivalent) in the fall.
CHEM 1A: General Chemistry
Students are strongly encouraged to take the placement test, if needed, prior to their SPOP date.
Optional (but strongly encouraged) self-assessment for Physics 7C
To register for placement exams, please visit the UCI Testing Center.
Please submit all test scores (AP, IB, A-Levels, SAT, ACT, etc.) by July 15th.
Delaying submission of your test scores will impact your course enrollment!
Step Three: Complete Canvas Modules
You will be emailed a link to complete your Academic Advising Canvas module one week before your orientation. You must complete TWO Canvas modules before SPOP. One Canvas module will be sent from our Student Life and Leadership Office and the other from Engineering Undergraduate Student Affairs.
Step Four: Attend SPOP!
At SPOP, you will meet your academic counselors and receive a plan of study based on your placement exam scores. We will advise you on what courses to take and answer any questions you may have about your classes.
Please bring your laptop for class enrollment!
Step Five: Enjoy the Rest of Summer!
Classes start on September 25th. If you have any questions, the best way to contact our office is via email at ugengr@uci.edu.
Important Dates and Deadlines
| Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) Statement of Legal Residence (SLR) | May 1, 2025 |
| Submit Transcripts | July 1, 2025 |
| Submit Test Scores | July 15, 2025 |
| Submit Summer Transcripts | September 15, 2025 |
| Fee Payment | September 15, 2025 |
| Instruction Begins | September 25, 2025 |
SPOP Presentation Documents