Transfer Academic Timeline

The Transfer Academic Timeline outlines the weeks of the quarter system. You can use this timeline as a general road map for what each quarter looks like up close, a checklist for important dates and deadlines, and/or a place for tips on prioritizing your time and staying academically prepared each week during a quarter. There is also a breakdown of your final year as a transfer. 

These are general guidelines, so for exact dates and policies be sure to check the current quarterly calendars and the other terrific resources provided on the UCLA Registrar’s Office Website, such as the schedule of classes, course descriptions, and FAQ. The Registrar’s website also offers a downloadable iCal version of each quarterly calendar so that all important administrative dates and deadlines can be loaded right into your own personal calendar for easy access and reminders. Be sure to utilize this great tool! 

It is important that you sit down with an academic and a departmental advisor every quarter to make sure you are on track for graduation and remain informed regarding any other important matters that may arise. It is particularly essential to sit down with an academic advisor if you are in your last year at UCLA –you should do this early, preferable the first quarter of your expected last year. For more information on academic advising options, click here. 

You can keep track of your academic progression throughout the year by referencing your Degree Progress/Audit Report (DARS) through MyUCLA. The DARS lays out all of the units you have fulfilled so far (including units transferred, UC units finished, and major units) and details what you still need to graduate.

After Accepting Your Admissions Offer (Summer Before Fall Quarter)

Familiarize yourself with UCLA and attend orientation

Connect with other transfers and attend transfer events

Find out what resources are available for you at UCLA

Visit the campus

Prepare for your classes

  • Order your textbooks and download course syllabi if they are available through the course website housed at CCLE, etc.

Research and join student organizations

Secure housing and transportation

  • Commuter students: apply for a parking pass (the due dates come very early so be sure to stay on top of deadlines), and try driving to school during the week to time your commute at different times of the day.
  • Check out housing options, on and off campus.

Consider mapping out your time at UCLA

  • Browse the other Transfer Timelines to get a sense of how to hit the ground running and map out your time at UCLA.

Outlining a Typical Quarter Academically Week-by-Week

Week 0 or True Bruin Welcome Week (Fall Quarter Only)

  • Week 0 represents the beginning of the fall quarter.
  • What to expect: Week 0 only occurs during fall quarter and includes a ton of terrific True Bruin Welcome Week activities and events for new and continuing students before classes (or instruction, as it is referred to) officially begin.
    • Be sure to attend Volunteer Day, the Chancellor’s Welcome, the Transfer Welcome Reception, The Enormous Activities Fair, Common Book discussions, and more! True Bruin Welcome Week Events.
    • This is a terrific time to attend events, explore resources, meet other students, and walk the campus to get a sense of how long it will take you to get from class to class.
    • If you have not already, this is also a great time to check your class website (can be accessed through your MYUCLA account or by signing in to the UCLA Common Collaboration and Learning Environment (CCLE) site where course websites are housed), and review the course syllabus generally posted there.
    • Your MYUCLA account is a terrific resource and is your portal in to everything about UCLA. Take time to browse through this resource and familiarize yourself with the layout and information that it holds.
      • On the right hand side of the MYUCLA home page there is a list workshops and announcements. This is a terrific place to find out about upcoming transfer and student events. Be sure to check it often.
    • Visit Academic Advancement Programs (AAP) and attend one of their information sessions to see if you are eligible for this program.
    • Also see the "Summer Before Fall Quarter" tab above for more suggestions.
  • Thursday of Week 0:
    • Class/instruction begin
      • If you are enrolled in a course scheduled on Thursdays or Fridays you would start attending the course this week.
      • If a course you are enrolled in occurs on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday you would not attend that class until the following Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday (week 1).
      • You may hear from your professor or teaching assistant (TA) about when your first lecture or discussion section will take place, if you are confused certainly reach out to your professor for clarification.
  • Friday of Week 0:
    • Classes will be dropped if fee payment is not completed by 5 p.m.
  • Recap: The fall quarter begins on Monday of week 0; class instruction, however, begins on Thursday of week 0 –there are no classes Mon. thru Wed, of week 0. Attend Welcome Week activities and connect with other students. Classes will be dropped if fee payment is not completed by 5:00 p.m. on Friday of week 0.

Week 1

  • Monday of Week 1:
    • Usually the first day of class (during winter and spring quarters), but may vary from term to term, so be sure to check the current quarter calendar.
  • Academic and Time Management Tips:
    • You may decide to add or change a course during week 1 and 2, but keep in mind that because of the speed of the quarter system it is easy to get behind. It is best to make any changes this week and not wait until week 2 if it can be helped.
    • Plan ahead: Go to workshops, information sessions, and other events to meet others and interact with students in and outside of class this week.
      • Ask many questions, and explore some of the many academic resources available to you as a transfer.
        • The quarter will move fast, prioritizing your time will be necessary. It is also worth taking the time to anticipate some academic obstacles that may come up as the quarter continues and to purposefully search out a few resources that you may find useful or need –week 1 and 2 are good times to do this.
      • Whether this is your first quarter or not, week 1 is a great time to thoroughly review your course syllabi and enter all assignment dates and deadlines into a planner, your phone calendar with alerts, a spreadsheet, or any organizational/time management tool that works best for you.
        • Many transfers find it helpful to breakdown their planner more specifically, entering professor office hours, teaching assistant office hours, and review sessions into their schedule as mandatory class time, so they are not temped to miss these opportunities.
      • While you may not do this during week 1, going to office hours is something that cannot be encouraged enough. Office hours are a terrific way to not only get the opportunity to go more in-depth on specific course material and get help understanding complex lecture topics, but they also provide a chance to connect with professors one-on-one.
        • It is important to realize that as a transfer you do have limited time to connect with professors and TAs and create good working relationships with them for future research opportunities, quality letters of recommendation, and opportune mentoring prospects.
        • If you connect with a professor and/or are interested in their research make sure to take the time to meet with them, ask them questions, do not remain anonymous –professors at UCLA want you to succeed and love curiosity and enthusiasm. So, never hesitate to reach out, you never know where it might lead.
        • You don’t need to have a question about course work to go to office hours! Read about a professor’s research and go in to talk with them about that topic, ask questions about career options in the field and graduate school, pick their brain about their career and research path and have an ‘informational meeting’. You may find a terrific mentor in the process!
      • Students may find it useful to create deliberate/self-imposed outline and draft deadlines to keep them on track when assigned a paper to write or an exam to study for, the Powell Library, the Research Project Calculator, and the Undergraduate Writing Center are great resources if you are looking for guidance with this.
      • Start your reading if you have not already: the workload will add up and you will want to stay on top of your reading especially for those classes with weekly quizzes!
  • Recap: Week 1 is the first full week of classes. This is a good time to map out assignments and readings dues dates in a planner, connect with other students in your class, attend workshops and information sessions, and explore academic and other resources.

Week 2

  • Academic and Time Management Tips:
    • See suggestions under week 1.
    • Visit the Undergraduate Writing Center, the libraries, the test bank, attend Transfer Program workshops at the Bruin Resource Center, Wellness Skills Program and workshops at the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), and any other academic resources you anticipate you may need to utilize.
    • Continue to do your reading and assignments.
    • Go over lecture notes, start preparing flash cards and other study guides that may help you prep for any upcoming midterms.
    • Many students find it useful to view or print out professors lecture notes to use as reference in class –these are generally available through CCLE if your professor shares them.
    • Connect with students in class, start a study group if you learn well this way, and/or trade contact information with another student in case you have to miss class or borrow notes.
    • Keep in mind that ‘midterm season’ is broadly defined as week 3 through week 6, prepare accordingly.
    • Parking pass applications generally come out around week 2 for the following quarter. If you are commuter student, be sure to stay on top of the application dues dates.
  • Friday of week 2, last day to:
    • DROP impacted courses.
    • Change Study List (add, drop courses) without fee through MyUCLA.
    • Enroll in courses for credit without late Study List fee through MyUCLA.
    • Check wait lists for courses through MyUCLA.
    • File undergraduate request for tuition reduction with your college or school.
    • Declare bachelor’s degree candidacy for current term (with fee depending on units completed—see “Degree Policies” in the Academic Policies section for details).
    • Receive full refund on textbooks with UCLA Store receipt (exception made with proof of drop or withdrawal up to eighth week).
    • Turn in contract-course paper work to your departmental advising office.
  • Recap: Last week to drop impacted courses. By week 2 you should have finalized what courses you will be taking for the quarter. Connect with other students in your class and form study groups, attend workshops and information sessions, and continue to explore resources. Start attending office hours.

Week 3

  • Attend Bruin Transfer Pride Week Events:
    • Bruin Transfer Pride Week, a week of celebrating all things transfer!
      • Events include: Networking Social, Navigating the University and Adjusting to the Quarter System Workshops, opportunities to connect with others, Transfer Timeline Work Sessions, and information sessions on discovering ways to get involve, maximize your time at UCLA, and hit the ground running as a transfer.
    • During week 3 of every quarter, there will be a Bruin Transfer Pride week events. So, keep an eye out every week 3 for transfer specific programming.
  • Academic and Time Management Tips:
      Week 3 to week 6 is considered midterm season; you may have midterms, papers, or larger assignments due during this time.
    • Utilize academic resources.
    • Attend office hours.
  • Friday of week 3, last day to:
    • ADD courses with $5 per-course fee through MyUCLA.
    • File late Study List with fee.
    • Be audited for approval for reduced tuition (must be enrolled in 10 units or less to be eligible for reduction) as of this date.
    • Have enrolled units verified to determine financial aid eligibility for the term.
  • Recap: Attend Bruin Transfer Pride Events! Week 3 to week 6 is considered midterm season. Utilize academic resources!

Week 4

  • Academic and Time Management Tips:
    • Week 3 to week 6 is considered midterm season; you may have midterms, papers, or larger assignments due during this time.
    • Utilize academic resources.
    • Attend office hours. Utilize your TAs!
    • Your enrollment dates for winter quarter will be posted in the next couple of weeks (you can see your enrollment dates and times on your MYUCLA account, and more information about enrollment can be found here (hyperlink to enrollment Q).
      • To stay on top of enrollment (and so you are not having to do it right in the middle of midterms) it is a good idea to start exploring possible courses you want to take for winter quarter.
      • Your MYUCLA account has a terrific tool called Class Planner, it gives you the opportunity to create multiple schedule options, color code your schedule, browse courses, and request courses that you would like to take during upcoming quarters.
      • You can check your enrollment dates through your MYUCLA account.
      • Review professor bios on your department website, talk to other students, ask about professors on Facebook groups, and browse Bruinwalk.com to research professors for the courses you are interested in (always take this with a grain of salt, reviews of professors are very subjective!).
  • Friday of week 4, last day to:
    • DROP non-impacted courses without a transcript notation (with per-transaction fee through MyUCLA)
  • Recap: Week 3 to week 6 is considered midterm season. Check your enrollment date and prepare ahead of time so you are ready to sign up for classes for next term. Last week to drop non-impacted courses without a transcript notation.

Week 5

  • Academic and Time Management Tips:
    • Week 3 to week 6 is considered midterm season; you may have midterms, papers, or larger assignments due during this time.
    • You may have a paper due during week 5 or 6, check out the Undergraduate Writing Center and the Writing Success Program.
    • Utilize academic resources.
    • Attend office hours.
    • If you are feeling stressed about midterms, assignments, and/or feeling connected academically and socially, you are not the only one! Everyone is feeling the pressure of midterms and the speed of the quarter system.
      • It is 100% normal to feel stressed out at this point in the quarter, especially if this is your first quarter! Be sure to utilize the resources available to you if you are feeling overwhelmed. Come to the Transfer Student Program at the BRC to chat with staff, visit CAPS, learn how to meditate through the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC), or visit any academic resources that may be of great use to you and provide ease to the pressure you may be feeling.

Week 6

  • Academic and Time Management Tips:
    • Week 3 to week 6 is considered midterm season; you may have midterms, papers, or larger assignments due during this time.
    • You may have a paper due during week 5 or 6, check out the Undergraduate Writing Center and the Writing Success Program.
    • Utilize academic resources.
    • Attend office hours.
    • If you are feeling stressed about midterms, assignments, and/or feeling connected academically and socially, you are not the only one! Everyone is feeling the pressure of midterms and the speed of the quarter system.
      • It is 100% normal to feel stressed out at this point in the quarter, especially if this is your first quarter! Be sure to utilize the resources available to you if you are feeling overwhelmed. Come to the Transfer Student Program at the BRC to chat with staff, visit CAPS, learn how to meditate through the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC), or visit any academic resources that may be of great use to you and provide ease to the pressure you may be feeling.
  • Friday of week 6, last day to:
    • Change grading basis (P/NP to letter grade or vice versa).

Week 7

  • Academic and Time Management Tips:
    • Generally, midterms are finished by week 7 and you may have time for a little bit of relaxation and evaluation regarding how midterms went and if there are any study tactics you need to shift to prepare for upcoming finals/final papers.
    • Did your study skills work for you? Did you manage your time well? If you want to shift the way you approached your academics or even if you just want to continue to stay ahead of the game, be sure to utilize the resources that can help with this.
    • Go to office hours to review your midterms.
    • Attend any workshops or events that may be offered –check workshops on your MYUCLA homepage.
  • Friday of week 7, last day to:
    • DROP non-impacted courses with transcript notation and $20 per-course fee through MyUCLA.

Week 8

  • Begin preparing and studying for finals.
  • Go to office hours.
  • Use the test bank.
  • Be sure to utilize the resources available to you if you are feeling overwhelmed. Come to the Transfer Student Program at the BRC to chat with staff, visit CAPS, or academic resources that may be of great use to you and provide ease to any pressure you may be feeling.
  • Attend any workshops or events that may be offered.

Week 9

  • Prepare and study for finals.
  • Go to office hours and review sessions!
  • Use the test bank.
  • Be sure to utilize the resources available to you if you are feeling overwhelmed. Come to the Transfer Student Program at the BRC to chat with staff, visit CAPS, or academic resources that may be of great use to you and provide ease to any pressure you may be feeling.
  • Attend any workshops or events that may be offered.

Week 10

Finals Week

  • Although some professors may hold finals during tenth week, generally finals are given during this last week of the quarter. There are no traditional classes held during finals week so you will not be attend class during this week, although there may be review sessions and/or office hours held.
  • Friday of finals week is generally the last official day of the quarter.