International Student Guide
Regulations And Requirements For F-1 Visa Students
Orientation
Getting to UCLA
URSA
Courses, Exams & Grading
I-20 Transfer-Out Process
Important Dates
BruinCard
Campus Resources
Recreation
Transportation
Contact Information
REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR F-1 VISA STUDENTS
The F1 student visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued to students who are coming to study for a limited time before returning to their home country. During your stay in the U.S. it is your responsibility to understand and comply with U.S. government policies and procedures. If you have questions about the policies and procedures please stop by or telephone our office to talk to an adviser. More information regarding the F1 visa can be found here.
Full-Time Enrollment
You must be enrolled full-time in Summer Sessions courses as an F1 student. At UCLA, that means you must be enrolled in at least eight course units per session. If you drop a course and fall below 8 units, you will lose your F1 visa status and you will likely have to return home before the end of the 6 week term. Classes may be exchanged within the first two weeks of the session, if you are struggling to keep up with your course load, or feel that one of your courses is not right for you, we encourage you to come into our office and talk to one of our advisors about changing your schedule.
Required Paperwork after Arrival at UCLA
The U.S. government requires us to collect from you a photocopy of your passport biographical page, F1 visa, I-20, and I-94 card upon your arrival at UCLA. Therefore, we must require students to provide these documents no later than the Friday of the first week of class (June 28 for Session A; August 8 for Session C). We will gladly make photocopies for you, but please note that your failure to provide us with these documents will result in your F1 visa and I-20 falling out of status.
Orientation
Orientation details will be provided as the Session start date approaches.
Temporary Travel Outside of the U.S.
If you plan to travel outside of the U.S., during the course of your studies, you must have a valid passport, F1 visa, and I-20. You must also have your I-20 signed by an adviser at the UCLA’s Dashew International Center. If your visa has expired or if you were granted only one entry on your visa, you must renew your visa before you re-enter the U.S. You cannot renew your visa in the U.S. as visas can only be renewed at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside of the U.S.
It is always recommended that you consult with the Dashew Center regarding Visa regulations before traveling outside the U.S.
Continuing with a Visa Coordinator
If you plan to continue to the next session of UCLA Summer Sessions or to apply for a certificate program at UCLA Extension in the fall quarter, you must make an appointment to see an adviser at the Dashew International Office before the end date on your I-20.
Leaving the U.S.
You have a grace period of 60 days after your last class to remain in the U.S. You can use that time to prepare to return home, travel within the U.S., or transfer to another school
Contact Information
| International Education Office 1332 Murphy Hall Los Angeles, CA 90095 Tel: (310) 267-4880 E-mail: international@summer.ucla.edu Hours: 8:00 - 5:00 p.m. |
Dashew Center for International Students & Scholars |
GETTING FROM LAX TO WESTWOOD/UCLA
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the closest airport to UCLA campus (approximately 12 miles away), and there are a variety of options for transportation from LAX to Westwood:
Shuttle Services operate continuously and can take you to UCLA for approximately $16 to $25. To catch one of these, go to the outer lanes and talk to one of the shuttle dispatchers. They will usually be able to put you on a shuttle within 15-20 minutes. Super Shuttle is one of the larger companies- they have dispatchers at LAX between 08:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
Fly Away Buses provide daily nonstop bus service — one-way and roundtrip — between Westwood and LAX. The stop is next to UCLA Parking Structure 32 on Kinross Avenue, two blocks north of Wilshire Blvd., just west of Gayley Ave. Buses depart every hour on the hour from Westwood and LAX (both directions simultaneously) between 6 a.m. - 10 p.m., seven days a week. Cost is $10 each way (Credit Card payments only).
Taxis (e.g. Yellow Cab) can be picked up curbside (inside lanes), right outside baggage claim. Faresto UCLA from LAX are about $40, including a $2.50 airport tax.
Buses are the most affordable option for transportation between LAX and UCLA/Westwood, although the least direct. The bus will take about 1 hour to get to Westwood. To take the bus, you need to take the LAX Airport Shuttle bus to the Transit Center, and there catch the number 3 Big Blue Bus to campus. Cost for entire trip- only $1.00! We do not recommend this type of transportation for students staying in UCLA housing because the bus stop is far from the check-in location.
You can view routes and schedules at www.BigBlueBus.com or use the trip planner at www.metro.net.
EARLY ARRIVALS
On-campus Housing Early Arrival and/or Stay Over
Space for students arriving prior to the scheduled move-in date is limited and there is no guarantee that rooms will be available. It is best to plan your arrival for the Sunday before your summer program begins. However, students who must arrive early to Rieber Hall or the Saxon Suites must contact the Rieber Hall Front Desk at (310) 825-2275 to discuss the possibility of an early arrival arrangement. Cost for early arrival or stay over after the last day of your Summer Sessions Housing Contract is $41.00 a day and does not include meals.
University Apartments Early Arrival and/or Stay Over
Early arrival for Session C is currently not available. For more updated details see Apartments Move-In information.
If you are not able to arrive on the check-in day and have scheduled an earlier flight, you can choose one of the hotel options nearby UCLA. Our Hotel Directory will give you quite a few choices of places to stay until the check-in day.
COURSES, EXAMS & GRADING
URSA - UNIVERSITY RECORD SYSTEM ACCESS
URSA is UCLA’s student online account system. You’ll use it to access your academic, financial, and personal records; view your study list; see your grades; and order transcripts. Below you will find information on the many functions that can be completed from your URSA account.
Course Adds/Drops
You may make changes to your schedule anytime before the end of the first week of classes. This means you may add and/or drop courses or exchange sections anytime before 5 p.m. on Friday of the first week. Keep in mind that as an international student you will need to remain enrolled in 8 untis. If you drop below 8 units, you will need to add another course to remain at UCLA.
The last day to add a course without incurring the $50 late fee is:
Session A: Friday, July 5 at 5 p.m.
Session C: Friday, August 16 at 5 p.m.
Last day to drop and receive a 100% refund of course fees, IEI fees and partial registration fees:
Session A: Friday, July 5 at 5 p.m.
Session C: Friday, August 16 at 5 p.m.
If you drop a class before the deadline, you will be refunded 100% of your course fees.
For more detailed information see the Summer Sessions Calendar.
Wait lists
If you are on the wait list for a course, you have until the end of the first week of the session to become enrolled. This may happen on its own as students drop the course and you move up the wait list. If there is space available in the class, you can ask the instructor for a PTE (Permission to Enroll) number that will allow you to enroll in the class through URSA or with a Student Update Form. Ultimately you are responsible for enrolling in the class before the wait list is dropped at the end of the first week of the session.
Impacted Courses
Impacted courses are defined by one or more of the following:
- Meet once a week and are difficult to complete if a student has not attended by the end of the second week of classes
- Have high enrollment demand that deny qualified students enrollment because of limited resources
- Have high instructor/student ratios, and/or
- Involve large commitments of other resources
Each impacted course is clearly indicated in the Class Listings section by a Y in the IM (Impacted) column. In the online Schedule of Classes, the designation is listed under "Crs Info" or the "ID Number" which links to expanded information about a course.
IMPORTANT! Students may not drop an impacted course after Friday of the first week of a term for other than exceptionally extenuating circumstances. Dropping impacted courses after the first week will require a written request by petition.
Grading Options
You have until the end of the fourth week of classes to change course grading options. Your options in most cases are to take the course for a letter grade (A, B, C, D, or F), or to take the course on a P/NP (Passed/Not Passed) basis. A grade of C or higher results in a Pass grade, and a grade of C- or lower results in a Not Passed grade.
Transcripts
You may request a transcript at the end of the term from your URSA account or in person at the Registrar's Office at 1105 Murphy Hall.
There is a $10 fee per transcript and you may order as many as you wish. Please be sure to wait until all grades are posted to avoid recieving an incomplete transcript.
It is strongly recommended that international students select the express shipping option to ensure fast and reliable delivery of their transcripts.
Textbooks
On the first day of class, your instructor will let you know what books you need to buy. Most assigned textbooks will be available for purchase at the UCLA Store in Ackerman Union.
Transferring Out of UCLA
If you are transferring to another school after you complete your studies at UCLA Summer Sessions, you must make an appointment with an adviser at the Dashew International Office. The adviser will check your courses and your status and release your SEVIS record to the new school. You must make this transfer within 60 days after the program end date on your I-20. Please complete the SEVIS Transfer Out Request before going into see an advisor.
IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES
Start Date |
End Date |
|
|---|---|---|
Session A 6-week |
24-Jun |
2-Aug |
Session A 8-week |
24-Jun |
16-Aug |
Session A 9-week |
24-Jun |
23-Aug |
Session A 10-week |
24-Jun |
30-Aug |
Session C - 6-week |
5-Aug |
13-Sep |
Session A |
Session C |
|
First day to obtain Student Parking Request forms from Parking and Commuter Services |
1-May |
1-May |
PAYMENT DEADLINES: All tuition and fees for both Session A and C must be paid by Friday May, 17 AT 5:00PM |
17-May |
17-May |
| Full payment for all students due by 5:00 p.m. For enrollments and adds after June 21, full payment is due by Friday of the week in which you enroll. Please pay on URSA. |
21-Jun |
21-Jun |
|
||
Week 1 |
||
Last week to enroll without instructor's approval or PTE number Last day to drop impacted courses |
June 24-June 28 |
August 5-9 August 9 |
Week 2 |
||
Last day to add course without $50 late fee |
July 5 (5:00 p.m.) |
August 16 (5:00 p.m.) |
Week 3 |
||
July 5 (5:00 p.m.) |
August 16 (5:00 p.m.) |
|
Week 4 Last day to change grading option: |
||
6-week session |
July 19 |
August 30 |
8-week session |
July 26 |
|
9-week session |
July 26 |
|
10 -week session |
August 2 |
|
No Classes - Independence Day |
July 4 |
|
No Classes - Labor Day |
Sep 2 |
|
*All course-work and examinations will be completed by the last day of each session. Students may plan to depart as early as Friday evening or Saturday morning.
CAMPUS RESOURCES
Bruincard
Your BruinCard serves as a:
- Registration Card
- Identification Card
- Recreation Center Card
- Library Card
- Student Ticket Discount Card
- Debit Card for purchases on and off campus
- Residence Hall Meal and Access Card
If you deposit funds into your BruinCard account, you may use your BruinCard as a debit card to make purchases at the UCLA Store, campus restaurants and bookstores, residence hall cafeterias, and other campus locations.
Many off-campus businesses, including movie theaters, offer discounts to BruinCard holders.
There are no service fees for using your BruinCard.
ATMs
There are several ATMs (automated teller machines) located throughout campus. Bank ATMs give access to the Star, Plus, or Cirrus networks, so no matter where you bank, you can often use these ATMs on a network arrangement to withdraw funds. Most banks charge fees for network access.
Post Office
The Postal Station on A level of Ackerman Union is open from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. There is also a full-service contract U.S. Post Office located in the Wilshire Center on the lobby floor.
Hair Salon
Campus Cuts, a full-service hair salon, is
located on A level of Ackerman Union,
(310) 206-4770.
Computers
Computer labs are available in the residence halls, libraries, and elsewhere on campus.
Internet Access
Wireless Internet access is available in select locations on campus for users with an eligible UCLA Logon ID and their own 802.11b-compliant wireless network interface card. Visit the Bruin OnLine site at www.bol.ucla.edu/services/wireless for more information about wireless connections.
Libraries
UCLA has several libraries but the most commonly used are Powell Library and the Young Research Library. Both are located in the
center of campus. Your BruinCard serves as a library card.
Tutoring
Free tutoring is available in Covel Commons. For more information, visit
www.college.ucla.edu/up/aitc/tutoring.html.
SAFETY
On-Campus Housing Security
Exterior doors of residence halls and suites are locked and equipped with alarms. Your BruinCard lets you in. Residence hall lobbies are staffed by trained access control personnel in the evening and early morning hours.
There are steps you can take to enhance your security:
• Don’t let anyone use your BruinCard to access secured areas.
• Report to the front desk or your resident assistant any person who doesn’t appear to have a reason to
be there.
• Always close the door to your room when you leave and carry your key with you, even if you’ll be gone only a moment.
• Don’t block your door’s automatic locking mechanism.
Police
The University of California Police Department patrols the UCLA campus and surrounding areas. They are assisted by CSOs (Community Service Officers). CSOs are student workers who patrol the campus to maintain a safe environment. For non-emergencies, the police department phone number is (310) 825-1491. In an emergency, dial 911.
Getting around Campus at Night
The Evening Van Service provides a safe means of transportation around campus in the evening. The service provides transportation between campus buildings, on-campus housing, and nearby residential areas. The service is free.
CSOs are available from dusk to 1 a.m. every day to escort you between campus buildings, local living areas, and Westwood. This service is also free. To schedule an escort, call (310) 794-WALK or 4-WALK from a campus phone.
RECREATION
Social Events in Residence Halls
The Office of Residential Life organizes evening entertainment for students staying in campus housing. Information about the events is posted around the buildings. Special events like movies, barbecues, dances, and organized trips to places of interest in Southern California are planned for residents throughout the summer.
Shopping
Many shops are located in Westwood Village, within walking distance of the campus. A large shopping mall that sells electronics,
linens, and furnishings is about 15 minutes from UCLA. To get there, take the number 8 or 12 Big Blue Bus from the corner of Hilgard and Strathmore to the Westside Pavilion.
To find out how to get to any of these places, simply go to www.mta.net and enter UCLA and your destination.
Restaurants
Los Angeles is well-known for its diverse food offerings. There are some great eateries in Westwood itself. Check www.westwoodvillageonline.com for a comprehensive list.
If you are feeling more adventurous, the following Web sites are great sources for finding L.A.’s best:
- Yelp: www.yelp.com/la
- Chowhound: www.chowhound.com/boards/2
TRANSPORTATION
Campus Express
The Campus Express shuttle runs throughout the campus from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. Campus Express stops are clearly marked. The service is free. Visit www.transportation.ucla.edu for a map of Campus Express routes.
Getting Around on Public Transportation
Public transportation in Los Angeles has a bad reputation, but fortunately the system in and around the Westwood area is better than its reputation. There are three different bus operators in the Westwood/UCLA vicinity, and each have stops close to campus:
Big Blue Bus - The Big Blue Bus lines travel primarily to areas west of UCLA, and hence are the first choice if you want to go to Santa Monica, Venice, Pacific Palisades, the Getty Center etc. They also operate an express line that takes you from Santa Monica to downtown LA. You can catch the Big Blue Buses at the Hilgard and Ackerman Terminals or down in Westwood Village.
The fare on these buses is $1.00 per ride or a BruinGo Flash Pass can be purchased for $33 from the UCLA Transportation Office. Passes allow unlimited rides and transfers on all Big Blue Bus lines.
MTA - These buses go west of UCLA to Beverly Hills, Hollywood, downtown LA, Burbank, et. The regular fare is $1.50. Transfers are 50 cents. You can catch lines 2, 3, and 302 west of the campus, behind the Saxon Suites. Other lines can be caught on Wilshire and Westwood, or east of the campus on Hilgard.
Culver City Buses - These buses go south of UCLA. Routes and schedules can be found online.
Car Rentals
If you need to rent a car, check the phone book for a list of car rental agencies or visit the following sites:
www.hertz.com
www.nationalcar.com
www.enterprise.com
Many agencies have special policies and extra charges for renters younger than 25, so be sure to ask the agency about their policies. Also, be sure they accept your driver’s license.
Los Angeles is an international destination city that is a hub of creativity in the arts and business. It is filled with vibrant neighborhoods and ethnic communities—Chinatown, Korea Town and Little India among them--where you can hear sounds and taste food from around the world. In summer, there are outdoor concerts at the Hollywood Bowl and the Greek Theater. Many activities are free, including stargazing at the Griffith Observatory, hipster watching in Silver Lake and outings to the mountains and beaches.
The following are a few useful websites for general information on Los Angeles and UCLA:
happenings.ucla.edu (UCLA’s Calendar of Events)
www.lacvb.com (L.A. County Visitor’s Bureau homepage)
www.ci.la.ca.us (Official L.A. city page, includes tourist information)
losangeles.citysearch.com (L.A. city guide with reviews)
LOS ANGELES GUIDE
NEIGHBORHOODS
Westwood Village
Located just south of campus, Westwood Village is designed around student tastes and needs. It has three major grocery stores and dozens of restaurants and cafes. Among its movie theaters is the Mann Village Theatre, which hosts frequent Hollywood movie premieres. The Geffen Playhouse puts on plays that are as inventive as they are star-studded. UCLA’s own Hammer Museum showcases art and inventive programming. Not far from the village—just a few minutes by bus on the other side of the 405 Freeway--is the Getty Center.
Santa Monica
What was once a sleepy beach town is now a vibrant city between UCLA and the coast. In addition to Santa Monica’s beaches and the famed Santa Monica Pier, you can stroll down Main Street, lined with shops and art galleries, or the Third Street Promenade, a pedestrian district with restaurants, more than 200 shops, a farmers’ market, and street performers.
Beverly Hills
Just a couple of miles from UCLA you’ll find Beverly Hills and its famed Rodeo Drive. The city is home to tree-lined boulevards, carefully-kept mansions and highest-end retailers. If shopping and locating star homes isn’t your thing, you can take in a movie screening at the Museum of Television and Radio.
Venice
The developer Abbot Kinney was inspired by New York’s Coney Island when he designed Venice as a beach resort, complete with a casino, a saltwater pool, and a pier full of restaurants and other amusements. He dug huge canals to imitate the Italian city and built a beachfront boardwalk (home to Muscle Beach and some of the most colorful characters in town). Venice remains a great place for playing and people watching; the restaurants that line Abbot Kinney Boulevard are among the most highly rated in Los Angeles.
Downtown
Many tourists don’t make the trip, but Downtown LA has recently emerged as a hub of Los Angeles nightlife with scores of new clubs, restaurants and museums. The south end of Downtown is anchored by LA Live, the Nokia Theatre (home to the Annual Grammy Awards ceremony) and Staples Center (home of the Lakers and Clippers basketball teams). On the north end you’ll find the Frank Gehry-designed Disney Concert Hall (home to the LA Phil), MOCA, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (home to the LA Opera), and the Ahmanson and Taper theaters. Nearby are such architectural classics as the Bradbury Building, the Central Public Library, and Union Station. Two new architectural standouts—the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels and the School of Visual and Performing Arts—face each from either side of Highway 101.
Beyond Los Angeles
When you are at UCLA, you don’t have far to go to explore rest of California. To the east is the desert, with Palm Springs and its retro vibe, and the climbing rocks of Joshua Tree National Park. To the south, the surfing beaches of Orange and San Diego counties unfold one after another. Drive north on coast-hugging Highway 1 for unforgettable ocean views, lunch in Santa Barbara and tour Hearst Castle. Farther north, you can explore the streets and bridges of San Francisco, the Napa Valley vineyards and breathtaking Yosemite National Park.
The Office of Residential Life will help you book inexpensive, popular tours of interesting places around the southwestern U.S., including San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Yosemite National Park.
ATTRACTIONS
Rodeo Drive:
The internationally known shopping destination anchored by Tiffany, Bulgari, Armani, and other high-end retailers.
Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica:
A charming pedestrian district in beachside Santa Monica, complete with many shops, restaurants, and street performers.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the La Brea Tar Pits:
The county museum of art has an extensive collection, special exhibits, and frequent cultural events, including free jazz on Friday evenings. Next door, visit the La Brea Tar Pits, where stone-age animals became entrapped in pools of asphalt!
Venice Beach:
A beautiful stretch of beach and ocean with a boardwalk that is home to an eclectic group of artists, performers, and other L.A. personalities.
Dodger Stadium:
Home to Los Angeles’ professional baseball team, the Dodgers. Look for tickets online at www.dodgers.com, then go to the stadium, eat popcorn and hot dogs, and cheer on Big Blue!
Universal City Walk:
A collection of shops, cinemas, restaurants, and music clubs located within Universal Studios.
The Getty Center:
A nearby museum that is admired for its art collection, architecture, and commanding view of the Los Angeles area. Admission is free and visitors will enjoy the plaza-like layout and small cafés.
Griffith Park:
The largest city park in the United States with many attractions, including an observatory, a pony ride, and a train museum.
Hollywood and Highland:
At this famous corner you’ll find several famous Hollywood landmarks: Grauman’s Chinese Theater, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the Kodak Theater among them. At Grauman’s Chinese Theater, look down and you’ll see the famous hand and footprints of celebrities along the sidewalks.
Food Trucks
Taco trucks have always been a staple in Los Angeles, but when Kogi BBQ opened its first window (in November 2008) to serve chef-designed fusion Korean-Mexican tacos and used Twitter to announce its locations, a movement was born. Today, designer food trucks are everywhere in LA (including on the UCLA campus) and you can enjoy dosas, banh-mi, Chinese-Mexican fusion tamales, deluxe cupcakes, vegan fare and scores of other tastes. For food truck locations and tweets, visit www.foodtrucksmap.com.
Disneyland
Disneyland—Walt Disney’s original theme park in nearby Anaheim—is a favorite destination of students and winning sports teams. The residential halls organize visits to Disneyland for students in the summer. Individual and group tickets can be purchased at a discounted rate with a Bruin Card at the UCLA ticketing office.
Who can I contact at UCLA if I have questions?
UCLA Summer Sessions
310 267-4880
Fax: 310 825-1528
www.summer.ucla.edu
Magdalena Barragan, Associate Director
mbarragan@international.ucla.edu
310 206-8062
Wilsi Lieux, Coordinator,
International Student Programs
wlieux@international.ucla.edu
310 825-7707
Marriell Marquette, Coordinator,
International Student Programs
mmarquette@international.ucla.edu
310 206-4401