Apply to University Honors (Invitation Only)

If you received an email invitation in early March, applications are due by March 17. Visit honors.ucr.edu/admissions for program details and reference your email invitation for full details on applying!

If admitted to University Honors, students are also required to attend the first session of Highlander Orientation in July and, if living on campus, must reside in the living-learning community for University Honors located in the Pentland Hills Residence Hall.

 International Students - Apply for your I-20 or DS-2019

Apply for your I-20 (F-1 students) – You will find the I-20 application in an email from Undergraduate Admissions. An I-20 will be issued after you have submitted your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) and have submitted a complete I-20 application form. The form may be prefilled with some of your personal information. Please check this form carefully and complete all required fields. If you are transferring your SEVIS record from another school, your I-20 cannot be issued until the record has been successfully transferred to UCR.

Apply for your DS-2019 (J-1 students) – Please review their website for information.

 International Students – Pay for SEVIS Fee

Pay the required SEVIS-901 fee after you have received your I-20 or DS-2019. The SEVIS I-901 Fee is a separate fee to be paid from the visa application and receipt of payment is needed prior to applying for the F-1 and J-1 student visa/scheduling a visa appointment. The fee is $350 for anyone on a F-1 Visa and $220 for anyone on a J-1 Visa. 

Who needs to pay this fee?

• If you are a new incoming student with an initial attendance I-20 or DS-2019 form you are required to pay the SEVIS fee before you apply for your visa or before you enter the United States (if a visa is not required).
• If you are a SEVIS transfer student with a transfer pending I-20 form, you do not have to pay the SEVIS fee.
• If you are changing status to F1 or J1, you will be required to pay the SEVIS fee.
• If you are out-of status and re-entering the United States with an initial attendance I-20 form, you will be required to pay the fee.
• Anyone on a F-2 or J-2 Visa does not need to pay this fee.

When do new students need to pay the SEVIS fee? They must pay at least 3 days prior to going to a U.S. embassy or consulate for a visa interview, before appearing at the Port of Entry (if you do not need a visa because you are a citizen of an exempt country), or before filing a change of status form application while in the United States.

For more information, including the processes on how to pay, visit the International Students and Scholars website. After you pay, keep a receipt of your payment confirmation that you can bring with you to any visa interviews.

 Attend Highlander Day

Come to Highlander Day, UCR’s in-person open house for admitted students and their families on April 12, 2025. Learn more and register.

Highlander Day is a great way to tour the campus (if you haven’t already), meet staff and faculty, connect with other incoming Highlanders, and learn about resources and opportunities you can take advantage of!

 International Students – Schedule Your Visa Interview

Around April is when you’ll want to schedule your visa interview with a nearby United States Embassy or consulate. Every location has a different way to schedule appointments, so find the one nearest you and reach out to them about scheduling your interview. Your visa can be issued 120 days prior to when your academic program begins, so you may be able to do this step in later months.

 TIP: Gather Your Immunization and Tuberculosis (TB) Requirement Records

For fall 2025 incoming students, all UC required vaccines and TB clearance dates and records are due in the UCR patient portal (chconline.ucr.edu) by first day of quarter, September 22, 2025. A registration health hold will be placed in R'Web immediately for non compliant medical clearances in the patient portal. All UC immunization and TB compliance requirements and helpful video tutorials can be found at studenthealth.ucr.edu/immunization. 

Although COVID-specific reporting requirements on campus has concluded, students must adhere to UCR's general immunization policy, which encompasses the COVID-19 vaccination as part of health recommendations. Respiratory health best practices are encouraged, including wearing a mask when symptomatic, staying home if you're unwell, and staying informed about local testing options. Visit Student Health Services for more information.

If you need assistance with immunization/TB compliance, please send a secure message in your patient portal by clicking on messages, new message, choose immunization team, create your message, send and the team will reply in your patient portal messages.  

 Don’t Miss the Final SIR Deadline

If you haven’t already, the deadline to complete your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) is May 1. Say “YES” to UCR by submitting your SIR via MyUCR!

 Complete Your Statement of Legal Residence (SLR)

If you’re a resident of California and don't want to be charged out-of-state tuition, you’ll need to submit proof of residency by Aug. 1, 2025. But why wait? Once you’ve submitted your SIR, you can access the Statement of Legal Residence (SLR) at https://slr.ucr.edu. To learn more, visit registrar.ucr.edu.

 Complete UCR's Writing Placement Process (WPP)

Students who have not satisfied the UC Entry-Level Writing Requirement need to complete a timed writing assessment to see how well your writing skills have developed. Don't worry, the results won't affect your admission status, but it may affect which classes you can take during your first year.

If you didn’t satisfy the UC Entry-Level Writing Requirement (ELWR) by May 1, you should plan to complete the WPP. The WPP exam will be offered on test dates in May, June, and August. If you take the exam before July, you will be able to see your course placement before you register for fall quarter classes at your Advising Appointment (which occurs during Highlander Orientation).

 Find Your Place

Now is the time to start making connections and meeting new friends before classes begin. Lucky for you, most student organizations allow new students to attend events and meetings, even before they begin classes!

Browse HighlanderLink to learn about our 300+ student organizations and find the best way to contact them. Many of them still do virtual meetings as well, so make sure to ask about opportunities to join them!

 Military-Connected Students: Apply for the CalVet Fee Waiver!

If you’re receiving any sort of benefits or tuition assistance because you’re a dependent of a military veteran, you don’t want to forget to apply for the CalVet Fee Waiver. To learn about the requirements, forms to complete, and other details, you can visit the CalVet Website or reference their full resource guide. If you need assistance, our Veterans Resource Center assists dependents navigating these forms.

 Start Submitting Transcripts and Test Scores

While they may not be due until later this summer, why not start turning in your test scores and transcripts now? We have an entire site dedicated to what you may need and how to submit them, so hopefully that answers most of your questions!

 Submit Final Financial Aid Documents

In order to receive the maximum amount of aid that you might be eligible for, it’s vital that you turn in everything that Financial Aid requests. The priority deadline to submit any supplemental information or documents to UCR is June 1.

Visit financialaid.ucr.edu for important dates and deadlines.

 Gather Your Immunization and Tuberculosis (TB) Requirement Records

All students are required to complete their immunization dates and submit proof of their immunization records for the UC required vaccines in their patient portal. You must answer the TB Screening questions and complete any additional TB clearance requests, if needed. Failure to comply will result in a registration health hold in R'Web on 9/22/2025. If you need assistance with immunization/TB compliance, please send a secure message in your patient portal by clicking on messages, new message, choose immunization team, create your message, send and the team will reply in your patient portal messages.  

 Upload your R’Card Photo

The UCR ID Card (R’Card) is your multi-functional campus identification card that connects you to dining plans, library resources, printing services, building access (door key), free campus events, and more. Newly SIR’d students may request their R’Card online starting June 1, 2025. This action should be completed by September 7, 2025, if living on campus, to ensure Housing’s ability to program residents’ R’Cards with meal plan and door access prior to Move-In Day.

Learn how to request your R’Card and review photo submission deadlines to ensure your R’Card is ready at Orientation. A New Card fee of $36 will appear on student accounts automatically, even if no request has been made. R’Cards not collected at Orientation may be picked up in person from the Highlander Service Station.

 Waive Health Insurance (if needed)

All UCR students are required to have health insurance coverage and are automatically enrolled in our university health insurance plan UCSHIP. If you already have comparable health insurance coverage, you can waive out of UCSHIP. Visit studenthealth.ucr.edu/waiving-ship for details.

 Military-Connected Students - Apply for Your GI Bill Benefits!

If you’re a student veteran or dependent, you may have GI Bill benefits that would likely cover many of the financial expenses of attending UCR but that’s all reliant on the right forms and processes being done. If you haven’t already, read their basic overview and then feel free to reach out to the campus Veterans Affairs School Certifying Official (VASCO) at vasco@ucr.edu with any specific questions or if you want to meet with them.

 Submit Official Academic Documents

Official, final high school and college transcripts are due by July 1. Official test scores including any AP (Advanced Placement), IB (International Baccalaureate), and TOEFL or IELTS scores are all due by July 15. Make sure to turn everything in on-time or risk not meeting pre-requisites for courses or even putting your enrollment in jeopardy. Reference our test scores and transcripts page for what you might need and how to submit!

 Attend Highlander Orientation

Highlander Orientation dates run through July and August for incoming first years. Make sure you’ve signed up and make sure you show up. Orientation is a required step to enroll at UCR, so make sure you’re not missing it. Missing your date may delay your class registration and may even jeopardize your admission. Sign up for dates and see the FAQs about Orientation at https://orientation.ucr.edu.

 Log Into Your Student Health Portal

Finish completing all mandatory non-compliant immunization and TB screening/clearance items. Class registration will be held if all medical clearance requirements are not compliant so make sure you’re responding quickly to any secure messaging from the immunization team in your patient portal at chconline.ucr.edu. If you need assistance with immunization/TB compliance, please send a secure message in your patient portal by clicking on messages, new message, choose immunization team, create your message, send and the team will reply in your patient portal messages.  

 Deadline: Submit your Statement of Legal Residency!

If you’re a resident of California and don't want to be charged out-of-state tuition, you’ll need to submit proof of residency by August 1, 2025. Once you’ve submitted your SIR, you can access the Statement of Legal Residence (SLR) on slr.ucr.edu. To learn more, visit registrar.ucr.edu.

 Student Veterans and Beneficiaries – Attend an Onboarding Session

In addition to the mandatory Highlander Orientation, you’ll also have a specialized onboarding hosted by the Veterans Resource Center, typically right before classes begin. This session will cover financial benefits, disability benefits, career preparation opportunities, research tips, and other topics that incoming student veterans may want to know about. This onboarding is optional but may help you get some questions answered prior to classes beginning! Contact the Veterans Resource Center (VRC) with questions!

 Purchase Your Parking Permit

Prior to classes beginning, you'll want to purchase your parking permit for the year. This may be a commuter parking permit, if you'll be driving to campus, or a residential parking permit, if you'll be living on-campus. These become available in late August, check the Transportation and Parking Services website for updates!

 Fall fees due!

Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, by 4 p.m. is the deadline to pay fall fees without a $45 administration processing fee and potential loss of class enrollment. All in-person payments are due by 3 p.m. on Monday, September 15, 2025. Online and drop-box payments (check/money order) are due by 4 p.m. Please be advised postmarks are NOT accepted.

The grace period for final payment will end on September 22, 2025. Please refer to the academic calendar.

 International Students - Arrival to the U.S. and Check-In

Students in initial F-1 or J-1 status can enter the U.S. up to 30 days prior to the "program start date" on the I-20 or DS-2019. If you hold a "transfer-pending" I-20, you may return to the U.S. at any time between your programs without a travel signature.

Once you arrive in the United States, you will need to submit your check-in documents to the International Students and Scholars (ISS) Office to verify your entry documents and activate your I-20/DS-2019 in SEVIS. Visit their website for more information and to see which documents to submit.

 International Student Orientation

Now that international students are hopefully all moved in and ready for fall, join us for the mandatory International Student Orientation. It’s typically held right before classes begin and you can visit their website for dates and registration information.

 Classes Begin!

You’ve made it! Have a great quarter and enjoy being a Highlander!

During this first quarter, consider looking for an on-campus job, stopping in to meet your faculty members and TAs one to one during their office hours, and explore if any study abroad options fit your academic schedule.