Incoming Students
Congratulations on being admitted to UCSD! Whether you are still undecided or fully committed to being a Triton, this page should give you the resources to start your UCSD journey!
HDS Major Orientation
Officially declared an HDS major? Thinking about switching from your current choice?Please enroll in our HDS canvas course !
Canvas is the system your UCSD instructors will use to build your class webpages, so this orientation is a great opportunity to get familiar with it if you aren't already. In this course, we cover things like...
- How advising is organized at UCSD
- Advising Resources for HDS
- How to find information relevant to your HDS major
- How to pick your classes for fall – with a sneak preview of classes offered!
- How to begin to create a long term plan
NOTE: Since this will include activities like planning your fall coursework and starting a long-term plan, you should complete this course – particularly the sections on class planning – ON A COMPUTER, not your phone, so it's easier to have a few windows open.
Hoping for some general Info about HDS?
- Triton Day Info Session Slides
- Overview of the HDS Curriculum
- Career Options in HDS
- HDS Instagram: @hdsciences.ucsd
- HD Student Association Instagram: @hdsaucsd
Accepted your offer? See what's next!
ADVISING FOR INCOMING STUDENTS
New students receive guidance from academic advisors first through via online modules and pre-enrollment webinars. Advisors are also available online to answer questions all summer as student records are updated by the Office of Admissions. New students will enroll for Fall classes in late-August.
Steps for Advising
General College Advising
Beginning June 22, 2026 all new students must complete New Triton Advising through the Virtual Advising Center. Log on at VAC.ucsd.edu to review the modules and submit your academic background questionnaire.
Students can submit questions to their advisors via the Virtual Advising Center (VAC) after completing New Triton Advising.
HDS Major Advising
Step 1: Please enroll in and complete our HDS canvas course !
Step 2: Schedule your advising appointment here
Longer-term customized Academic plans are generally created once a student begins their first term at UCSD, ideally during an in-person advsing session so that advsiors can ask questions
See more here:
https://advising.ucsd.edu/students/new-students.html
Important Quarterly Advising Dates
Most deadlines for students occur in the same week every quarter. As you progress through your time at UC San Diego, you will want to familiarize yourself with the following deadlines for Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters. Summer Sessions have different deadlines!
- Automatic waitlists close - Week 2, Thursday
- Deadline to add classes - Week 2, Friday
- Financial Aid freeze day (when full-time or part-time aid is locked in) - Week 2, Friday
- Deadline to apply for part-time status to pay part-time fees - Week 2, Friday
- Deadline to drop a course without a W grade - Week 4, Friday
- Deadline to change the grading option or the number of variable units for a course - Week 6, Friday
- Deadline to drop a course with a W grade - Week 6, Friday
- Deadline to request an Incomplete grade for a course - Monday after Finals Week
- Grades post - Week after finals, usually by Thursday
Tip: Bookmark the Enrollment and Registration Calendar
To Do List: By month
Updated on April 20, 2026. The information presented is subject to change without notice. Please check back frequently as new updates may be added.
April
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Start in April Deadline: June 1 |
MATH PLACEMENT is required for students whose major, College, and/or pre-health path require calculus, and have not met a math prerequisite (see Math Placement Criteria). You must take the MPE by June 1. Tip: It’s free during these dates: -for incoming first-year students: April 15-June 1 Visit mathtesting.ucsd.edu for details. |
May
New Incoming Students - Key Dates 2026
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Start in May |
WRITING PLACEMENT PROCESS (WPP) for incoming first-year students. Take the ELWR survey! The Writing Placement Progress is required for students who have not met the Entry Level Writing Requirement. Watch your email for options and visit the Analytical Writing Program website. |
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Start in May |
SEND TRANSCRIPTS AND TEST SCORES - Missing documents prevent enrollment in certain courses. Send all final high school transcripts, final college transcripts from every institution attended, and AP/IB scores to the Office of Admissions. Transcripts must be sent by July 1. Test scores must be sent by July 15. |
June
New Incoming Students - Key Dates 2026
Important
Beginning June 22, 2026 all new students must complete New Triton Advising through the Virtual Advising Center. Log on at VAC.ucsd.edu to review the modules and submit your academic background questionnaire.
Students can submit questions to their advisors via the Virtual Advising Center (VAC) after completing New Triton Advising.
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June 22 |
NEW TRITON ADVISING (NTA) OPENS Submit your academic background information on New Triton Advising (NTA) on the Virtual Advising Center (VAC). Please submit this by July 1 and be sure to tell us if you have a proposed major different from your incoming major. ADVISORS AVAILABLE VIA VAC Once you complete NTA, you can contact academic advisors directly via the VAC. |
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June 22 |
COLLEGE ORIENTATION REGISTRATION OPENS Register for your College orientation at cor.ucsd.edu. Due July 24. Those who do not register may receive a hold on their account which will prevent them from registering for classes in the future. |
July
New Incoming Students - Key Dates 2026
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July 15 |
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT STUDENT HEALTH DOCUMENTS - Missing documents will prevent all enrollment for Fall! Submit the TB Risk Screening Questionnaire and your immunization records. |
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mid July - TBD |
VIEW YOUR ENROLLMENT/BOOKING TIMES - View your assigned course booking times. |
August
New Incoming Students - Key Dates 2026
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August (ongoing) |
CONFIRM TRANSFER COURSEWORK Check your Academic History to verify that your college transcripts and AP/IB scores are listed, as long as your transcripts were submitted by the July deadline. |
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August 12 |
1st PASS FALL QUARTER ENROLLMENT - Book up to 11.5 units at your assigned time. |
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August 17 |
2nd PASS FALL QUARTER ENROLLMENT OPENS - Book up to 19.5 units at your assigned time. |
September
New Incoming Students - Key Dates 2026
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September - TBD |
REGISTRATION FEE PAYMENT DEADLINE Registration fees due. Late fees will apply after this date. See the Enrollment and Registration Calendar. |
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September 24 |
FALL QUARTER - 1st Day of Instruction/Classes Begin |
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September - TBD |
Classes will be dropped if registration fees weren't paid |