Frequently Asked Questions For International Students
Important Dates
Application Retrieval
Course Adds/Drops
Grading Options
URSA
Requisites
TOELF
Unit transfers and Transcripts
UCLA Housing
Typical budget
Orientation
Special campus events
Health Insurance
UCLA Summer Sessions vs. UCLA Extension
Visa
Additional questions
1. What is the Summer Sessions calendar? What are the relevant deadlines for international students?
|
|
SESSION A |
SESSION C |
|---|---|---|
| Registration open to international students |
March 3 |
March 3 |
| Deadline to apply | May 09 | June 13 |
| Enrollment before May 23: Full payment for all Non-UC students due by 5:00 p.m. Please pay on URSA. | May 23 | May 23 |
| Enrollment after May 23: Full payment for all students due by 5:00 p.m. For enrollments and adds after June 23, full payment is due by Friday of the week in which you enroll. |
June 20 |
June 20 |
| Session begins |
June 23 |
August 4 |
| Week 1 | ||
|
June 23-27 |
August 4-8 |
| Week 2 |
|
|
|
July 7 (5:00 p.m.) |
August 15 (5:00 p.m.) |
|
July 7 (5:00 p.m.) |
August 15 (5:00 p.m.) |
| Last day to change grading option: 6-week session 8-week session 9 & 10 week session |
July 18 (Week 4) July 25 (Week5) August 1 (Week 6) |
August 29 (Week 4) |
| No Classes - Independence Day |
July 4 |
|
| No Classes - Labor Day |
|
September 1 |
| Session
ends: 6-week session |
August 1 |
September 12 |
2. How do I retrieve my application and upload documents?
Visit the Retrieve Web site and enter your registration number, found in the subject line of your welcome e-mail, to retrieve your application.
3. How can I add or drop classes or change the grading option for a course?
After you register and receive your welcome packet, you can make changes to your records by using URSA (University Records System Access) or by submitting a Student Update Form in person at Murphy Hall. The calendar above lists the deadlines for each of these transactions. Some transactions will require an approval signature or a PTE (Permission to Enroll) authorization number. If you registered through one of our registration centers, please note that any changes you make prior to your arrival at UCLA must be made through your registration center. After arrival at UCLA, please make changes in person at Murphy Hall. If any additional fees are incurred, you will be required to pay them when you request the change.
4. Do I have to take my courses for a letter grade? Can I audit a course (attend a course without getting credit or a grade)?
In most cases, students have the option to take a course either for a letter grade (A,B,C, etc.) or for credit (Pass/No Pass). Some courses require that you take it for a letter grade. Please visit the Registrar's Schedule of Classes to determine if your courses have any grade option restrictions. To attend a course, you must be enrolled either for a letter grade or for credit; students are not allowed to audit courses in the summer.
5. What is URSA?
URSA (University Records System Access) is a computerized system that provides students access to their academic records. URSA is accessed through the Web at www.ursa.ucla.edu. Use URSA to check your enrollment status, grades, and course information (including day, time, and location). To use URSA, you need your UCLA logon ID and password. Step-by-step instructions for using URSA are available on the URSA Web site.
6. What are requisites?
Some courses require you to have taken specific courses or fulfilled certain
requirements before you enroll in them. Under the section of our Web site titled
"Course Information" please read the sections "Course Numbering,
Examinations, and Grading Policies" and the descriptions of courses. This
may help ensure that you have fulfilled the course requisites or their equivalents.
If you have had courses or practical experience comparable to the listed requisites,
you may enroll in the course. Transcripts are not required. If you are uncertain
about the level of difficulty of a particular course, consult either the UCLA
General Catalog or the instructor before enrolling to determine whether the
course is appropriate for you.
7. Do I have to take a TOEFL exam to attend UCLA Summer Sessions?
UCLA Summer Sessions requires proof of your proficiency in English. We require a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 550 or higher for the paper-based test or 213 or higher for the computer-based test, 79 or higher for the internet-based test and a minimum score of 6.5 for IELTS. We may also accept a transcript that shows passing grades in English language classes.
8. Will UCLA Summer Sessions courses transfer for credit at my home institution?
UCLA courses are generally accepted for transfer credit, but you should get advanced approval of your courses from your home institution. Transfer of credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution. It may help to give your home institution the syllabus and course description of the courses you plan to transfer. This will aid the institution in evaluating your courses. Course descriptions and many of the syllabi from prior years are available on our Web site at www.summer.ucla.edu.
9. What is a transcript and how can I get one?
A transcript is a permanent record of your academic work. Transcripts are maintained by the Registrar's Office. To order a transcript, visit URSA Online. Questions concerning transcript orders may be sent to transcripts@registrar.ucla.edu. Each transcript costs $6; additional fees apply for transcripts requiring special delivery services. Although fax services are available, transcripts that are faxed are not considered official. Transcript fees are subject to change, and requests are not processed if students have outstanding financial, academic, or administrative obligations. For further information, please contact the Registrar's Office at (310) 825-3801 or visit their Web site: www.registrar.ucla.edu.
10. What do I need to know about UCLA Housing?
Housing is available for students who need it. After you register for your courses and receive your UCLA logon ID and password, you may register for housing online through the Housing Office. For summer housing rates and options or if you have any questions, please visit the Housing Web site or call the Housing Office at 310-825-7011.
On-Campus Housing
Residence Halls
Residence Hall rooms are shared by either two or three students. Each room is carpeted and includes a twin bed, desk, chair, bookcase, closet and drawer space for each student. Students live on coed floors with designated male and female community restrooms with private showers located on each floor. There is also cable TV and computer network connections in each room. Upon arrival, each resident is provided with one set of bed linens, a pillow, a blanket, and a towel and wash cloth for use during their summerstay. Other things you might wish to bring include a radio, clock, fan, and additional towels. A refrigerator rental service is available to students when they arrive.
Special events and activities are planned for residents throughout the summer, including movie nights, barbecues, dances, and organized trips to places of interest in the Southern California area.
Residential SuitesRieber Hall is a student residence located on the western edge of campus and is the designated residence hall for Sessions A - six week only. It has an open market cafe featuring a wide variety of freshly prepared international entrees, self service salads, fruits, fresh pastries, and espresso coffees. Rieber Hall also offers 24 hour front desk service, computer lab, exercise room, study rooms, music practice rooms, TV lounge and has laundry facilities on each floor.
Rieber Hall Mailing Address
310 DeNeve Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Sproul Hall is located just below Rieber Hall and it is the designated hall for Session C -six-week only. Sproul offers 24 hour front desk service, study and meeting rooms, music practice rooms, TV lounge, Bruin Cafe boutique restaurant, and has laundry facilities on each floor.
Sproul Hall Mailing Address
350 DeNeve Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
The residential suites are fully furnished two-bedroom units without kitchens. Students share a living room and bathroom. Two people share a bedroom in the suite, with two bedrooms per suite. Suite bedrooms are shared by either two or three students. Each room is carpeted and includes a twin bed, desk, chair, bookcase, closet and drawer space for each student and chairs, coffee tables, and a sofa in the living room. There is also cable TV and computer network connections in every room. Upon arrival, each resident is provided with one set of bed linens, a pillow, a blanket, and a towel and wash cloth for use during their summerstay. Other things you might wish to bring include a radio, clock, fan, and additional towels.
Saxon Suites, located across from Rieber Hall, are the designated residences for Session A -eight week, -nine week, and -ten week only. Saxon Suites offers a community living experience with the advantage of private units in a garden setting. Amenities include a sand volleyball court, vending machines and a central laundry facility. Additionally, Saxon Suites residents are encouraged to participate in all the activities and excursions offered to Rieber Hall residents.
Check-inSaxon Suites Mailing Address
310 DeNeve Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Rieber Hall and Saxon Suites residents check in at the Rieber Hall front desk. Sproul Hall residents check in at the Sproul Hall front desk. You can check in between 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on the day before the beginning of your session (June 22nd for Session A students and August 3rd for Session C students).
Building Access
Rieber Hall and Sproul Hall are equipped with a 24-hour access control system. Residents will gain access to the residence halls and the dining rooms with their BruinCard. In the evening, the entrances are monitored for additional security.
Dining Services
The fees for Residence Halls and Residence Suites include meals at Rieber Hall which begin with dinner on the Sunday evening before classes start and end with breakfast on the last Saturday of check-out. Meal service includes twenty-one meals per week, breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. Sack meals are also available. See the front desk for details.
Telephones
Telephones are provided in each room and suite and include free campus calls. Telephone debit cards can be purchased at the front desk for local, long distance, and international calls.
Prohibited Items in the Residence Halls and Residential Suites
Campus regulations prohibit these items in the halls or suites: halogen lamps, toasters, toaster ovens, microwaves, or any appliance with open coils; flammable materials, such as candles, gas stoves, and barbecues; animals or pets of any kind, including fish.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted inside the buildings. You must be twenty (20) feet away from buildings to smoke. All outdoor smioking must be confined to designated smoking areas. Please see the Front Desk staff for designated smoking areas.
Other Amenities
A refrigerator rental service is available to students when they arrive; one small refrigerator no larger than 2 cu. ft. is allowed in each room. Coin-operated laundry facilities are located on each floor of the halls. If you choose to bring a television, basic cable television service is provided to all rooms.
Off-Campus Housing
University Apartments
Apartments are located within walking distance of campus. Most apartments are air conditioned; all are fully furnished and include utilities (electricity, water, and trash removal). Please note that linens, pillows, blankets, pots and pans, and kitchen utensils are not included in the apartments. Coin-operated washers and dryers are available in each building. Each apartment has its own private mailboxes located on the premises.
All apartment complexes have Apartment Coordinators who live in each building, and are available at any time to take care of maintenance requests. If you have other problems or questions, full-time staff members are available to help you at the University Apartment Rental Office, 925 Weyburn Terrace #116.
Westwood Chateau, Westwood Palm, Glenrock West, Landfair and Margan Apartments
Residents who select a one- or - two- bedroom apartment will be housed in either the Westwood Chateau, Westwood Palm, Glenrock West, Landfair and Margan Apartments. All kitchens are equipped with stoves, microwave ovens, and refrigerators for students to prepare meals.
Glenrock, Landfair, and Margan Apartments
Residents who select a one-person studio will be housed in either the Glenrock, Landfair, or Margan Apartments. Some units in these apartments are not air-conditioned.
University Apartment Mailing Address:
625 Landfair Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Check-in
For all University Apartment assignments, please check in at 945 Weyburn Terrace #116 between 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m on the Sunday before your session starts (Sunday, June 22nd for Session A students ans Sunday, August 3rd for Session C students). Please check the Housing Office Web site periodically for updates to check-in locations.
University Apartment Staff
The Apartment Complexes all have Apartment Coordinators who live in the building and are available to respond to maintenance requests. If you have other problems or questions, staff is available to help you at the University Apartment Main Office at 625 Landfair Ave.
Meal Options
The fees for off-campus apartments do not include a meal plan. If you want to eat in the cafeteria, the BruinCard (see below), a debit-card program, is available for on-campus dining.
Other Benefits
Parking is available on a space-available basis for an additional charge. Payment is due upon receipt of parking and residents are required to contract for parking for the same period of time as their summer contract. Coin-operated laundry machines can be found on every floor. Each apartment has its own private mailbox, located in the lobby.
For additional housing information, you may visit their Web site .
11. Will there be an orientation meeting after I arrive?
There will be an orientation meeting from 7-8 p.m. outside in the Courtyard at Rieber Hall on Sunday, June 22nd for Session A students and Sunday, August 3rd for Session C students. Before then, please remember to consult the orientation guide you will receive with your welcome packet.
12. What special activities are available for Summer Sessions students who live on campus?
One of the benefits of residing in UCLA Housing is that the Office of Residential Life organizes several optional trips and activities for Summer Sessions students on weekends and evenings. Some examples are trips to Disneyland, Magic Mountain, Universal Studios, Catalina Island, and outlet mall shopping excursions on the weekends. There are also trips to local attractions such as the beach, movie nights, baseball games, and bowling alleys. There are often trips scheduled for outside the LA area. Past trips have included Las Vegas, San Francisco, and the Grand Canyon. Sign-up sheets and tickets will be available in Rieber Hall, and all Summer Sessions students are welcome to participate. There are extra fees for these trips, and transportation is typically included in those costs.
13. What do I need to know about my health insurance policy?
International students holding F-1 visas must purchase a health insurance policy through UCLA Summer Sessions. Please be aware that many U.S. medical institutions do not accept health insurance policies from other countries. In addition, the cost of health care in the U.S. can be extremely high.
UCLA's health insurance is provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield. The provider network for this policy is Beech Street Corporation. Your HealthCare Plus policy entitles you to use outpatient and emergency room services at the UCLA Medical Center, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, and the Santa Monica Medical Center. A full list of participating doctors is provided on the Blue Cross Web site at www.beechstreet.com. THE UCLA STUDENT HEALTH CENTER IS AVAILABLE ON A FEE-FOR-SERVICE BASIS ONLY. The policy is effective at 12:01 a.m. on June 18, 2008 and expires at 12:01 a.m. on September 18, 2008. After you purchase health insurance, you will be issued a health insurance card as proof that you are covered. We will mail the card to you. You may also contact the Summer Sessions Office after your arrival to arrange to pick up your card.
If you withdraw from Summer Sessions, your health insurance premium is fully refundable if we receive a written request prior to the start date of the policy.
14. What is the difference between UCLA Summer Sessions and UCLA Extension?
UCLA Summer Sessions offers regular university-level courses, the same courses taken by UCLA students during the regular academic year. These courses are typically taught by UCLA faculty and are usually transferable for credit to other universities.
UCLA Extension courses are geared toward adult continuing education and professional development. The majority of Extension courses are in the evening. UCLA Extension courses do not appear on the official UCLA transcript. UCLA Extension issues its own transcripts and some of their courses will transfer for credit. UCLA Extension offers various certificate programs and ESL programs: Academic Intensive English Program Plus (AIEP-Plus) Practical English Program, and several other English as a Second Language courses. (AIEP-Plus students do receive UCLA credit for the Summer Sessions course associated with AIEP-Plus.) For further information about AIEP-Plus, see www.uclaextension.org/alc. For further information about UCLA Extension Certificate programs, see www.uclaextension.edu/iso.
15. I have been admitted to UCLA for the fall -- how do I get my I-20 to attend Summer Sessions?
Please consult with the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) to see if your I-20 for fall will cover your summer courses. If not, you will get your I-20 from UCLA Summer Sessions first to cover your summer study. During the last week of summer classes, you will make an appointment with UCLA Extension's International Student Office (ISO) to transfer your I-20 to UCLA proper.
16. I already have an I-20 and student visa through another school in the U.S. Am I considered an International Student?
If you are returning to your home institution in the fall and your I-20 and student visa is valid, you will not be considered an International Student. Please indicate on your registration form that you are attending another school in the United States; do not answer "yes" when it asks if you are an International Student. You will pay the Non-UC registration fee.
17. Can I work if I have a student visa?
As an F-1 student, you are eligible to work on campus for up to 20 hours per week, provided that you are in good academic standing with grades of "C" or better. To apply for on-campus employment, go to 219 Kerkhoff Hall. If a department is hiring and is interested in you, a representative will contact you for an interview. Please understand that employment opportunities are limited and you should not rely on a job to support yourself while you are a student here.
18. Who can I contact at UCLA if I have questions?
UCLA Summer Sessions
310 825-4101
Fax: 310 825-1528
Web site: www.summer.ucla.edu
E-mail: international@summer.ucla.edu