uci first-year FAQ & tips || katie girl

[@nattieenatt]

thank you! this is so helpful. it was really hard to find an up to date video about uci :)

[@李秉鞑]

Yoo Katie, Bobby's here. I am an international student from China who plans to get in the university at 2020 fall. Your videos are really helpful for me! Thank you, my future alumni.

[@katieartura4310]

Thank you, this was very helpful!!

[@katiegirl]

love your name 😂👌🏻

[@simerdhesi938]

Hi! I'm going to be starting my first year this upcoming fall at UCI and I noticed how you said it is easier to change your major before the year actually starts. I've been looking into doing so but I'm not sure who to contact or if there is a designated time period to do so. If you'd be able to give some pointers I'd greatly appreciate it :) (btw ur videos have been so helpful in helping me decide where to go to school

[@katiegirl]

aww thank you!! :) CONGRATS ON BEING ADMITTED! so you should contact your major's adviser(s), if you look up your major's school you can find a "Contact Us" page and who your advisers are to email them, and then do the same to the major you're trying to switch into and find their advisers' contact page too. advisers right now are working from home 8am-5pm with a lunch around 1pm, but in terms of dates when the send the email, do it as soon as possible and ALWAYS follow up. also, end your email including your full name, your uci ID number, current major good luck!

[@dread4540]

My mom keeps bugging me on placement test wth are they and for what classes and when do we take them?

[@katiegirl]

placement tests (for uci) are the physics and writing and math placement tests, depending on your highest level of understanding in these subjects you are tested to see where you place for your first uci classes and GE’s. you can take them over summer (about an hour each test) online. you can find them by just searching “uci placement tests” you may need to take all of the test or just a couple but when you look it up, it should tell you what you need. also your portal should tell you more information too.

[@carlamartinez4781]

hey! I love ur videos🥺 but I was wondering if for housing we got an email notifying when the application is open because I heard it was first come first serve to choose which hall. & also when can we start signing up for classes?

[@katiegirl]

aww thank you 🥰 and yes! you’ll receive an email about all the opening applications you need to do 👌🏻 to know your enrollment window, google “uci webreg login,” click the first link, and you’ll see an “Access webreg,” then login using your UCI NetID and password, and you that’s where you register for classes AND you can see your enrollment window (there’s a specific button for it) when you click the “enrollment window” button you’ll see the date and time (if you can’t access it yet then try these steps later on 😊) GOOD LUCK and welcome to uci!!

[@melinamora2800]

Hi loved your video! When you talked about changing majors you mentioned spot. I was wondering what spot is? I’m trying to learn more about UCI, decision day is coming up!

[@melinamora2800]

Also do you know if UCI has capped majors?

[@katiegirl]

aww thank you! so uci's orientation is SPOP (Student Parent Orientation Program) where students who have committed to uci spend a day and a night on-campus and in the dorms where you can see the campus, meet new people, sign up for classes, meeting with advisers, etc. (a very long, fun, and memorable orientation) there are 10 sessions and the earlier sessions usually have first dibs on classes (as they enroll) but you have choices to pick which spop session works with you and your summer schedule for capped majors, i believe business admin and nursing sciences are the capped majors and there may be more. i know for a fact that the engineering majors are all quite impacted, but people switch and change majors so you can still try and get the major you want. i hope this helps you in your decision! good luck!

[@melinamora2800]

katie girl thank you!!!

[@ashleykang9433]

Hi!!! I love your vids!!! I'm going to UCI this fall and I had a question. I want to room in the middle earth towers and I already found some roommates. When we apply are we allowed to put down their names or will it still be random?

[@katiegirl]

unfortunately, nothing is guaranteed but if you have the same exact answers on your housing application of preferences and turn it in around the same time (like within the hour) and turn it in as soon as possible, you USUALLY get what you want.

[@Idoknow909]

Hey Katie, what color nail polish do you recommend I wear on my first day? I'm really self conscious about these things, and I haven't been able to see the person that does my nails recently. Thanks for the great video as always :)

[@katiegirl]

well...it can depend on what vibe you want to set out on the first day, you may want a flashy bright color to catch the eyes of others as a conversation starter...OR have all solid colors with a sparkly or different color accent nail. OR if you really wanna catch some eyes but nervous and indecisive on the color scheme, PAINT ALL TEN NAILS A DIFFERENT COLOR!! a guaranteed unique and iconic look there 😉😉 but once the person who usually does your nails is open for business go see them ASAP and they won’t disappoint! 😂👌🏻

[@Gracekim03_]

Hi I chose computer science and engineering as my major but I’m really scared because I don’t really know much about it. I was wondering if you could make a video talking about it or just give suggestions about your major.

[@cnicolesanchez2468]

Which housing options are the cheapest?? Like do the costs differ between tower and classic or doubles or quads?

[@katiegirl]

for towers, the cheapest to most expensive: Quad Tower Dorm, Triple Tower Dorm, Double Tower Dorm (not an option for next year) for classics, cheapest to more expensive: triple classic, double classic, single classic but note that you're meal plan may change the overall price you can always check at their website: housing.uci.edu/

[@cnicolesanchez2468]

wait so theres no doubles in the middle earth tower? also any tips to make sure you for sure get the roommates you request? my friend and I both got in and we wanna make sure we room together in the middle earth tower since we're both bio majors

[@katiegirl]

@@cnicolesanchez2468 next year, there are no doubles available in any of the towers. for getting the requested roommate, make sure your applications/forms made have the exact same preferences and turn it in around the same time too! good luck!

[@cnicolesanchez2468]

Cindy Martinezescamilla you’re not wrong😔 I just hadn’t seen it until now ahh this is sad are there only singles in the towers then?

[@katiegirl]

@Cindy Martinezescamilla if the website says that's the plan, i'd trust the website. this is due to covid-19 and wanting to uphold the social distancing rule. some or all classes are most likely to be remote again so there'd be less students in housing if that it's the plan. so if the official website says that, go with that! :)

[@butterflylove3112]

Hi Katie! In regards to changing your major, you said to include your classes, classes you plan to take and your gpa. Are these referring to high school senior year or college classes? Thank you!

[@katiegirl]

include the classes you're enrolled in at uci (if you already have enrolled), for high school classes (if you haven't enrolled yet) you may want to include a copy of your transcript of the classes you have already taken (AP's, SAT subject test, community college classes already taken, etc.) you want to show the advisers you have the qualifications to AT LEAST START the process of changing your major and start your schedule of classes off right. if you're already a uci student and attended classes you may want to still include the high school transcript but it would probably not carry as much weight as it did before you started classes. i hope this helps! good luck, i hope you get the major you want! :)

[@stephaniet3857]

Do you have any advice to transfer students? I am transferring from community college and I got accepted to uci for criminology, but I am still looking at my options.

[@katiegirl]

i'm sorry i don't have too much information for/about transfer students one of my old basketball friends transferred to uci from community college and she loves it here! she doesn't live far either but she's 2 years older than me (she should be graduating soon) so i didn't have too much time around her. i can only imagine how it can be nerve-wrecking and scary transferring to a new school/college but uci has so many events and opportunities where you can meet new people and join groups that that "scary" phase doesn't last long :) sorry i don't have too much more to say or information to give you, i hope you choose uci! it's a great school!!! good luck

[@JocelinFavela]

Hi!! This video was really helpful! I just had been wandering about how to pay for dorms. Is the cost for dorming included in my tuition/financial aid? Or is it separate? Thank you!

[@katiegirl]

you pay for tuition and housing through your zot account (linked to your uci net ID and also your ID number) the financial aid/loan(s) will cover the total cost that's your account's balance, it won't pick and choose what to cover. hope this helps!

[@johnm.8371]

What was your GPA? UCI is my dream school and I wish I would get accepted!

[@katiegirl]

my weighted gpa was 4.2 my unweighted gpa was 3.8 or 3.9

[@abrahamnajera8099]

When you choose which dorm you would like to live in, are you guaranteed that dorm?

[@katiegirl]

you usually get what you prefer and want, but a quoted by uci “nothing is guaranteed” i know some people who haven’t gotten what they wanted as their first choice but uci housing is quite accommodating to what students’ wants. there’s some pros and cons to getting what you want. like you can get the roommate you want but not necessarily get the forming choice you want, or you get the dorm but not the roommate or you get both! try to make sure all options are the same and matching AND turn in the applications/forms around the same time as those you want to live with! good luck

[@abrahamnajera8099]

Thank you!! This helps a lot.

[@AnNguyen-tv5rk]

Thank you for your helpful advice ! Just a quick question, I'm thinking about taking a double major on both biochem and pharmaceutical sciences. Do you have any insight about declaring double major in freshman year ? Ty

[@katiegirl]

besides talking to your counselor(s) about this decision, i believe you can't declare a double major until your third year, but you should be taking the classes for the second major along with the other major required classes to be able to declare. good luck!

[@Lola-rw8en]

How hard is CSE itself? How hard are the major classes? How are the professors? And what's the class load like each week?

[@katiegirl]

unfortunately i'm not CSE i'm CpE but regardless of major the study load depends on you as a student and also your schedule. most uci engineering majors have a course pathway you can/should follow so you can see how each quarter's course load would be like when signing up for classes and making your schedule. professors you can look on reddit and ratemyprofessor.com or check with other students. ALL majors have their difficulties butif you have a balanced interest and skill for what you wanna study it definitely helps keep you motivated to stay in it. GOOD LUCK

[@jazmyn130]

Great Video!! I got accepted and i’m looking at housing, I was reached out to about “Open House” in Middle Earth in the building Isengard. Do you know if that’s a tower or a classic?

[@katiegirl]

congrats! Isengard is a classic hall

[@xilunwei843]

Hello Katie! Thanks for sharing! I was wondering if it's possible to take a gap year during my Junior year at UCI :/ I've sent an email to notify the counselor, we've booked an appointment next week to talk about my options. Just thought it would be nice if somebody took a gap year and are willing to share some of your experience here haha.

[@katiegirl]

i personally am not taking a gap year and have never done that so i don't know too much about that... but i know some people like out of state students are trying to because classes are online, why should they pay for an out of state tuition for online classes (especially first years since they're mostly GE classes) so i'm sorry, i don't know what to tell you :(

[@xilunwei843]

@@katiegirl NONONO don't be sorry!!! I was just wondering if I'm eligible for doing so, and I will find out next week by meeting with one of the counselors haha. Don't be sorry, you've already helped a lot :) Stay safe & healthy!!!

[@gretzkyyy5645]

incoming freshman this year :)

[@angelinaly974]

hey! i wanted to ask if i can declare a major before school starts? i applied as a bio major but i got undeclared instead , what can i do to switch/declare?

[@katiegirl]

as of right now, you can start the proceeds of switching into the major you want by emailing the academic advisers of what you’re leaving and what you’re going into, but in terms of solidifying your place in a different major, i’m not to sure if you can do that before school starts. the sooner you ask/tell someone the better

[@maverickmondala4845]

is it typically more difficult get into the towers when applying for housing? i’m applying next year and i would love to dorm in the towers but concerned it won’t be easy or likely i would be able to.

[@katiegirl]

usually there's more competition for the towers in both housing communities so it's a "yes" but with a grain of salt, UCI tends to accommodate for your requests you input but it's not guaranteed.

[@justinehorton3455]

What are the rules about cars at UCI? Especially towards incoming freshmen.

[@katiegirl]

having a car on campus is quite expensive especially if you're not a commuter... from what my friends with cars have told me and also those with on-campus and also off-campus housing, the way you can buy a car permit varies from your year at uci... the upperclassmen have top priority and first chance and dates to buy their permits and it goes down the line to freshman. being a commuter and if you're dorming also plays a part in your eligibility to get a permit. you should also know that even if you get permit, that doesn't guarantee you'll find parking too hope this helps!

[@alisonlobo622]

WHAT DO THE DORMS HAVE? IN TERMS OF FURNITURE ..

[@katiegirl]

i have a middle earth tower tour that shows that :) but dorms come with a desk, chair, twin xl bed, closet and 4-7 drawers depending if it's classic or tower style dorm

[@nxcolejean]

Hey, I know you said that you are an engineering major but do you know anyone in a theatre major that I could possibly talk to? There is not much information online and I have a few questions

[@katiegirl]

sorry i personally don't know any theater majors but if you would like to try and reach out to find some you can look on facebook thru the uci claire trevor school of arts and/or uci class of [your year] and put up a general post of you wanting to talk and find out more about theater majors. good luck! sorry i couldn't be more helpful...

[@yunuenvigil2737]

Hi :)) is the social science tower closer to mesa court or middle earth?

[@katiegirl]

middle earth, it's right across ring road

[@elliecrabbe]

love you videos!:) I just got accepted and I want to live in a double in middle earth, do you know how to go about that?

[@elliecrabbe]

orr is there no double?

[@katiegirl]

CONGRATS ON ACCEPTANCE! at the moment due to covid it's unsure how they'll setup the rooming for the dorms, but usually they would send out an email seying you can sign up for housing and room preferences if they have not said already, there you can put your preference of room size and layout, like double middle earth because that's what you want or if you change your mind it could be tripe middle earth towers, etc. i believe it's thru your housing portal or an email you'd do this

[@erickcastellanos6814]

Hey so just a suggestion... I think this video would be more entertaining and informative to watch if there were pictures of the UCI campus 😅

[@tonyg.482]

hi, how do i enroll in courses and where do i check that i'm enrolling into the correct courses?

[@katiegirl]

so you enroll uci webreg (found on the same page as uci's schedule of classes, the top , menu bar, www.reg.uci.edu/perl/WebSoc ) at spop you're given a pathway of graduation paper that would show what most people of that major would take through out 4 years to graduate or you can look it up in your major's school. i know engineering majors have flowcharts but i haven't really seen any other schools/majors do this, you can also check uci's degreeworks (also on the page of uci's schedule of classes page) they'll also show what categories of GE's you'll need to take and how many you have have to complete!

[@henryliu3971]

Hi I was wondering are you able to change your major before first-year actually starts?

[@geraldo904]

Yeah! You can change your major during orientation at SPOP

[@katiegirl]

so due to everything that is happening, i don't think SPOP will be happening this year, but Iif you email the major you would like to switch into's school advisers they'll help direct you and be able to answer this better than i can. most of the uci schools have their own direct chat rooms that are from 9am to 5pm and have lunch 1 to 2... they'll be able to help :) good luck!

[@katiegirl]

@@geraldo904 this is true but due to covid-19 i am unsure if that'll be happening this year

[@jadenhansen5310]

Do a lot of people go to the beach? Is it easy to get there as a freshmen?

[@katiegirl]

people do go to the beach a lot! (all ages too!) clubs and organizations hold day events there and there’s a donut shop called Seaside Donuts that literally EVERYONE goes to (at least once while at uci) and it open 24 hours right off the beach :) it’s only about a 15-20 minute drive away from campus and it’s easy to get there via uber/lyft, friends’ car, if you have a bike it’ll take longer but it’s possible to get there on a bike. plus uci campus has zip cars (rental cars by the hour via app) to use and borrow for a few hours at a reasonable price!

[@ranaewhitaker2348]

So are the 5 and 7 day meal plans like one meal per day?

[@katiegirl]

nope! they have UNLIMITED swipes on the 5 weekday or 7 days

[@ranaewhitaker2348]

@@katiegirl Ok thank you so much!

[@kelseynicole4066]

since i got in as undecided, which was my backup major, can i change my major to what I wanted to apply as originally before I start school and if I can, how do i do that?

[@katiegirl]

i am not 100% sure if you can fully change majors before school starts, but you should be able to start planning and talking about it with your academic adviser before school starts. the sooner you ask/tell your adviser the sooner you can get on track to graduate on time and plan for the classes you need

[@ayrtonteixeira6144]

I am going to be an incoming freshman for 2020-2021 and I’m currently a mathematics major but I want to switch into aerospace engineering. How exactly do I get in contact with an advisor and do you think the odds of switching in could actually happen?

[@katiegirl]

you can google "uci enigneering counseling office" and "uci mathematics counseling" and each page would have a place to find the contact information of the advisers you should email asap and to tell them you want to switch into that major. in terms of the odds of getting in, well engineering is impacted already but you'll most likely get it after your first year or second year, if you let them know asap

[@emilyarana6112]

How does UCI determine registration times for each student? If you’re an athlete or have Ap credits do u tend to get priority or how does it work?

[@katiegirl]

i am not sure how being a uci team athlete plays a part in enrolling of classes but it would make sense for them to get a bit of a priority, but yes, having more credits and a higher gpa gets you a earlier enrollment time in your year like if you have a 3.7 and you're a sophomore you'd be part of the earliest sophomores to be apply to enroll in classes, as an incoming freshman, AP credits add to your UCI starting gpa so that will allow you to get an earlier enrollment window