#rside

How can someone get involved or write for The Highlander?

I believe The Highlander posts open positions on the UCR Handshake portal if there is any currently available! 

Can I get a B in a class and still maintain a 4.0 GPA?

Regardless of how many units you are taking, tuition each year is $15,211 to be a full time student. If you break it down per quarter, each quarter comes out to a little over $5,000 (summer is not included). So the price per class really changes depending on how many units you are taking. If you are taking 12 units/3 classes, or 20 units/5 classes, you would divide the quarter cost by how many classes you are taking. Here is the link for tuition costs at UCR. Hope that helps!

I signed up for my classes at orientation, and I realized that my lectures also have a discussion section linked to them. What exactly is the purpose of these discussion classes? Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I'm just not used to these different classes since I was homeschooled in high school

This isn’t a dumb question at all, a lot of incoming students actually have this question! So lectures normally have a lot of students (some classes can have up to 300!), which doesn’t allow a lot of one on one time with the professor to ask any questions you may have. The discussion is a smaller classroom setting, with around 20 students. Your discussion is led by a T.A., who will be able to help you with any questions, since it might be a little harder to ask your professor directly.

I'm planning to dorm in Pentland (double) and I was wondering if we're allowed to get bed risers to lift our beds? I just want to make sure that I can fit all my storage without making my room look cramped.

Here is a copy of UCR’s residence hall handbook. I believe you’re allowed to get bed risers, but the beds at Pentland are already risen really high, enough to fit storage bins and all the things you need under your bed. I even brought a step stool because my bed was so tall I couldn’t get on without help! LOL

Can incoming freshmen already start applying for jobs at UCR? And where?

Take a look at ScotJobs, it’s never too early to start applying!

Does the financial aid office have summer hours? Or is it the regular 9-5?

If you’re visiting campus, you can stop by the Highlander One Stop Shop (HOSS) on the first floor of the Student Services Building anytime between 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. If you can’t make it in, go ahead and give them a call at (951)827-1012. 

I'm really nervous about living on campus. I got guaranteed housing, but I chose Pentland as my top choice. I just got back from orientation, so I kind of got to see how the showers/bathrooms work. Is there ever an issue with the showers filling up fast and having to wait until someone gets out? What should I do to make myself feel more at home once I move-in?

Don’t be worried about living on campus! Living on campus will help you make friends and adapt to college life. When I lived at Pentland, there were never problems with the showers filling up because we all had different time schedules. To make yourself feel more at home, I would bring photos of family and friends and make sure you decorate your space so it feels comfortable to you. What worked well for me was bringing blankets from home because it didn’t feel like I was in some foreign, new space with all new furniture and decorations. 

If I apply for fall 2018, when do I need my 60 transferable credits by?

As a transfer student, plan to complete 60 transferable semester units (90 quarter units) by the end of the next spring term, or the spring of 2018. Here is a transfer admission checklist for UCR! 

I have just finished my first year here at UCR. I have to admit this past year was tough. Between family issues and getting in trouble with the school for plagiarism, I am determined to make my second year better than the last year. However, I have been talking to a friend who goes to another UC . Lately, Iv'e been thinking that maybe I should transfer there. It would be a great opportunity for me but Riverside is all I have known. What should I do ?

  Switching Majors

My freshman roommate (still one of my closest friends) came in as a Psychology major, switched to Pre-Business towards the middle of her first year, and switched over to a Sociology major at the end of her second year (AND she’s graduating a year early. My boyfriend came in as a Pre-Business major, switched to Philosophy in his first year, finished his degree requirements early and is now studying Pre-Med while also being able to have a Philosophy degree by the time he graduates from UCR. Depending on the classes you take and the people you meet, you’ll be exposed to so many different areas of study that you can be interested in. And as you spend more time at UCR, don’t worry if your area of interest or direction changes, as long as you’re using the first couple years to really explore your breadth classes, no matter how many times you explore other majors, you should have time within your couple years to finish all of your major classes and #FinishIn4 

Double Majors and Minors

Even though I came into my freshman orientation, convinced on graduating in four years as a Studio Art major and a business minor, I am now entering my third year as a double major in Studio Art AND Media & Cultural Studies. I had heard of Media & Cultural Studies as a major but had no idea how much I would love my major until after I took two or three classes in that department. I didn't begin to understand my love for the major, its diversity, its professors, and its teachings until I let myself get out of my set mindset. Don’t forget, if you find a subject you really love, you can also declare a minor; this option requires a lot less classes but you still have an opportunity to learn within that department. Although there is overwhelming pressure to know exactly what you want to do, college is a time to for you to learn, grow, and enjoy. Once you start coming here and choosing your classes, you'll find what sticks out to you most and what makes you most excited to start your future.

Finish in 4 

I strongly advise, starting with your breadth courses (our name for gen. ed) or foreign language courses to start you off in your first year or so if you are unsure about your major. If you are worried about finishing within four years, make sure you are taking at least 15 units a quarter, or 45 units a year. Although 12 units a quarter is considered full time, 15 units a quarter will insure that you will finish with the minimum of 180 units by the end of your fourth year. If you fall behind, summer school is always an option as well! So knowing you have that flexibility within your first few terms, take time to explore major, double major, or minor options while making sure you are meeting your breadth requirements. Also keep in mind, breadth requirements are different for each school of study (Pre-Business, CHASS, CNAS, BCOE), so you may have to take different breadth classes than some of your friends. You will find out more about this at your orientation, or you can click on the college above to see an updated list of courses for Fall 2017.  

Take Your Time!