New Student Programs
New Student & Transition Programs
New Student & Transition Programs serves the educational planning, academic advising, and adjustment needs of all entering UCLA undergraduates. The program aims to provide a well-rounded onboarding experience that supports UCLA students and their families as the new students begin their undergraduate education. This includes assisting students in discovering pathways to degree completion, personalizing their on-campus experience to make the most of their time at UCLA, and providing families with the tools to provide a strong foundation for their students.
New Student Orientation
NSTP hosts academic orientations each summer for first-year students, transfer students, and parents and families. Each New Student Orientation is an extensive introduction to UCLA’s academic and campus life. New Student Orientation for first-year students is two days. Orientation for transfer students (those coming to UCLA directly from another institution) is one day.
New Student Advisors
New Student Advisors work throughout the school year to assist with events and help students transition to UCLA. During the summer, responsibilities are divided between the Blue Team and the Gold Team. Blue Team advisors work within the NSTP office to run administrative aspects of the department and serve as advisors for family members at the New Parent and Family Orientation. The Gold Team are peer advisors who provide both academic counseling and firsthand knowledge of the campus to students during first-year and transfer New Student Orientation sessions.
Learn more about signing up for an orientation session or becoming a New Student Advisor.
Freshman and Transfer Student Program for Academic Advancement Program Students
The Freshman and Transfer Student Programs at UCLA, operated by the Academic Advancement Program (AAP), are seven-week residential academic summer programs designed to ensure that first-generation, low-income, historically underrepresented students have a smooth and successful transition to university life.
For freshmen, the program offers an array of orientation sessions, workshops, and social events to help them acclimate to campus culture, navigate academic requirements, and build connections with peers and faculty. Through engaging activities and informative resources, freshmen gain valuable insights into academic advising, campus resources, and student life, setting a strong foundation for their college journey.
Similarly, transfer students are provided with tailored support and resources to ease their transition into UCLA. The Transfer Student Program is designed to meet the unique needs of transfer students, including credit transfer, academic planning, and campus involvement opportunities. By participating in these programs, transfer students can quickly integrate into the UCLA community, access essential resources, and make meaningful connections with fellow transfer students and campus support networks.
Visit the AAP New Student Programs page to apply and find more information on the program.
Planning Your Degree Path
Creating an effective degree program requires individual planning – but thankfully there are a variety of resources and support available for students on campus to help them plan their path to degree.
Time to Tassel Planning: Degree Paths for Three- and Four-Year Degrees
It’s possible to complete your degree in less than three years. In most cases, students who can expedite their degree completion tend to stick with the major they selected during their fall quarter as a freshman. This list highlights majors that offer degree completion with three- and four-year options.
Generally speaking, highly structured majors that are dependent upon many prerequisites and sequenced courses are far more difficult to complete in three years than less rigid ones.