New Students

• SIR Deadline is May 1st
   
• Once you SIR, view all messages in your new R’Mail account.  All email correspondence will be sent to your R’Mail account instead of your personal email address.  Be sure to check your account regularly and use it for all university email communications.

• To successfully become a Highlander, all incoming students must attend both Highlander Orientation and Highlander Advising Support and Registration sessions this summer! These two unique programs are designed to introduce you to important aspects of being a UCR student and are required for fall class registration.

• What to Expect at Highlander Orientation
  UC Riverside offers 12 in-person orientation sessions for incoming first-year students. These fun-filled, high-impact sessions are offered twice a week throughout July and August.
  
   
• Course registration will be separate from your orientation session and will occur during Highlander Advising Support and Registration. Please make sure to sign-up for Highlander Orientation AND the Highlander Advising Support and Registration sessions when they become available in early May.
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• During the two-day Orientation program, you will learn about UCR’s campus and traditions, connect with other first-year students, discover ways to get involved, and learn about campus resources that will support you in your transition to university life.
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• You will also learn about how to navigate UCR's opportunities for student engagement, learn how to be a responsible member of the UCR community, and connect with peer leaders who can support your transition to campus.
  
   
• What to Expect at Highlander Advising Support and Registration
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  Highlander Advising Support and Registration is an additional, required program for incoming students, hosted by your academic advisors. Highlander Advising Support and Registration will occur from July 20th through August 7th, 2026, and will be held virtually from 9:00 AM-12:30 PM. 
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  During the Highlander Advising Support and Registration session you register for in July or August, your academic advisors will meet with you via a group advising session. The advising session will be hosted on Zoom. You will meet your advising team and receive information about your major and graduation requirements. You will also register for your fall quarter classes with assistance from your academic advising team. 
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• To sign-up for both Highlander Orientation and Highlander Advising Support and Registration please visit your MyUCR portal in early May. Highlander Advising Support and Registrations sessions are available on multiple days, depending on your major. To ensure you are signing up for the correct session, please view the schedule below.
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• Final official high school transcripts are due by July 1st.
   
• If you have AP/IB test scores or community college transcripts, you should submit them by July 15th.  This will make advising and registration for your fall quarter classes much easier.
   
• How to submit

Your Highlander Foundations course is designed to prepare you for Highlander Orientation and Highlander Advising Support and Registration. This online course must be completed before attending Highlander Orientation and Highlander Advising Support and Registration.  

The Highlander Foundations course will be available in early May. You will receive detailed information on how to access the course via your UCR email. 

If you have any questions, please contact our Peer Advisors at chasspeers@ucr.edu. Our team of Peer Advisors would be happy to answer any questions as you prepare to become a new Highlander.

• The Entry-Level Writing Requirement (ELWR) is a University of California reading and writing proficiency requirement that all first-year students must satisfy. This requirement is not an admissions requirement. The ELWR must be satisfied either before beginning courses on a UC campus or during the first year of enrollment. 
   
• UCR's Writing Placement Process (WPP) determines if entering students can read and write at the level expected to satisfy the UC Entry-Level Writing Requirement (ELWR).  The WPP diagnostic essay exam will be administered to new incoming UCR freshmen who have not yet satisfied the ELWR.  The exam is only available to students who have completed their Statement of Intent to Register (SIR).
   
• Students who have not officially satisfied the ELWR in one of the UC approved methods must complete the WPP diagnostic exam.  Completing the online WPP exam on one of the test dates in May or June will ensure that students have placement information before registering for fall quarter classes when attending their Highlander Advising Support and Registration session in July or August.  
   
• To register to take the Writing Placement Process (WPP) diagnostic essay exam, please go here.
   
• More information about the UC ELWR can be found here.

• The MPA is used by UCR to assess student readiness in mathematics for university work and to determine the appropriate placement.
   
• Not all CHASS students will be required to complete a math course to graduate.  Students admitted to the majors below, and undeclared students considering one of these majors (or a STEM major outside of CHASS) must have math placement.  Students must either complete the MPA or use transfer credit (qualifying AP/IB scores or college transfer credit).
   
• Math-based majors in CHASS include:
• Pre-Business
• Economics
• Business Economics
• Economics/Administrative Studies
• Economics/Law & Society
• Psychology
• Psychology/Law & Society
• Neuroscience
• Liberal Studies
• Political Science/Administrative Studies
• Art History/Administrative Studies
• History/Administrative Studies
• Sociology/Administrative Studies
   
• To register for the MPA, please visit the ARC website
   
• Make sure to take the exam no later than July 10th!  The earlier you complete the exam, the more prepared you will be for Highlander Advising Support and Registration 
   
• If you are an Undeclared student and are considering any of the majors above and do not have transfer credit, then it is strongly recommended that you take the MPA.