Step One: Register for Online Orientation with the School of Engineering
Sign up for the online academic advising session with the School of Engineering. Please check your UCI email inbox for further instructions on how to register. This is MANDATORY for all new incoming international first-year students!
Step Two: Register for the In-Person Orientation
Sign up for the International Student Parent Orientation Program, otherwise known as ISPOP. This is MANDATORY for all new incoming international first-year students! To sign up, click here
Step Three: Take Placement Exams
Placement exams are required for most new first-year students. It is IMPORTANT to complete all your placement exams BEFORE your online 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.
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 Four: 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 Five: Attend Online Orientation!
At your online orientation, you will meet your academic counselors and receive a plan of study via email before the presentation starts, based on your placement exam scores that Admissions has received. We will advise you on what courses to take and answer any questions you may have about your classes.
Step Six: Attend ISPOP!
ISPOP starts on Wednesday, September 17th, to Thursday, September 18th. For more information about ISPOP click here.
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 |