Fall frosh and transfer admits: to get the most out of your orientation we suggest you follow the six steps outlined below.
Fall Program for Freshmen students: you do not need to complete these steps for CalSO. Instead, you'll be enrolling in fall classes through UC Extension using the Course Selection Form found on the FPF website: www.unex.berkeley.edu/fpf.
Spring frosh and transfer admits: specific information for students beginning your first semester in January will be posted here in September.
Six steps for success (fall students only)
- Review information sent by your school or college.
- Complete a schedule planning worksheet.
- Review University requirements.
- Math Placement Exam
- Learn how to use the Online Schedule of Classes.
- Look up course information on the Schedule of Classes.
1. Review all information sent to you from your school/college, including websites and anything mailed to you directly.
The information being sent to you is designed to prepare you to meet your adviser at CalSO. The more you do beforehand, the better your adviser can assist you.
Note: if you're having problems opening any of the pdf files below, make sure you have the most up-to-date version of Adobe Reader. Go here to download your free version: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat
/readstep2.html
Transfer students: you should also review information about your intended major. Specific departmental websites can be found by searching on the www.berkeley.edu homepage.
Business
students (Haas)
Review the Haas Undergraduate Program website for information on degree
requirements, student services, study abroad, and more.
Home: http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/Undergrad/
Chemistry
students
Review the information sent by your college available
on the myBerkeleyapp website. Freshmen-only: complete your Planned Class
Schedule.
Home: http://chemistry.berkeley.edu/student_info/undergrad_ info/current_undergrad.html
Engineering students
Review
this information: http://www.coe.berkeley.edu/students/current-undergraduates/new-students
Review the information on this website: http://www.ced.berkeley.edu/advising/newstudents
For Announcements, visit the Environmental Design website and check with your specific department.
Fall Program for Freshmen students
You will be enrolling
in fall classes through UC Extension using the Course Selection Form found on the FPF website: www.unex.berkeley.edu/fpf.
Letters
and Science students
New freshmen and transfer students must complete their online orienteering before CalSO and/or registering for classes:
http://ls-orientation.berkeley.edu
Home: http://ls-advise.berkeley.edu/
Natural
Resources students
New freshmen should complete this pre-orientation website before CalSO:
http://nature.berkeley.edu/site/admits_welcome.php
Home:http://www.cnr.berkeley.edu/site/oisa.php
Visit
the following website and click the CNR Undergraduate Handbook photo on the right:
http://cnr.berkeley.edu/site/forms/oisa/
undergraduate_handbook.pdf
2. Complete any schedule planning worksheets sent to you by your school/college.
If you haven’t received anything from your college, click here for a general worksheet and plan on coming to CalSO prepared with a list of courses you’re interested in taking.
Note: if you're having problems opening this pdf file, make sure you have the most up-to-date version of Adobe Reader. Go here to download your free version: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat
/readstep2.html
Transfer students: for students transferring from a California community college, you can visit www.assist.org to see what requirements have been satisfied by your previous coursework. Print a copy of your unofficial transcript(s) and bring to CalSO to get the best possible advising, as it can take several months before your previous coursework is officially evaluated.
3. Review the following general University requirements to see if you have satisfied them:
Analytical
Writing Exam
American History
& Institutions
American Cultures
4. Take the Math Placement Exam
Are you thinking about taking a math course during your first semester? If so, you should take the online Math Placement Exam before you come to CalSO to see what class might be the best option for you. If you have other questions about picking your first math course, read the Math Department's frequently asked questions.
5. Familiarize yourself with the Online Schedule of Classes.
Berkeley’s Schedule of Classes, which lists what courses are offered each semester and when and where they take place, is only available online. Access to computers during CalSO will be limited, so it’s important you know how to use the schedule and search for classes beforehand.
Click here for a quick tutorial on using the Online Schedule of Classes.
DeCal
You may also want to look at the DeCal listing (http://www.decal.org). DeCal classes are 1 and 2-unit classes taught by students on an array of subjects like the Poetry of Tupac, Italian Cooking, or Israeli Folk Dance.
Freshman Seminars
Think about a couple of seminars that you might be interested in as these small classes tend to fill up quickly: http://fss.berkeley.edu. (You can only sign up for one during Phase I, but you should have a few back-up choices!)
Recommended Classes
Scroll through hundreds of classes recommended by Berkeley students.
Transitional Courses List
If you'd like to meet other new students who are also in the process of getting to know Cal, you might want to enroll in a transitional course: http://nss.berkeley.edu/fye_classes.html
Transfer Transition Courses
The Transfer, Re-entry & Student Parent (TRSP) Center offers several courses to help new students feel connected to campus:
http://trsp.berkeley.edu/courses.shtml
6. Use the Online Schedule of Classes to look up the following information for each of the courses you plan to take, or are required to take, your first semester (these should be the ones you listed on your scheduling planning worksheet):
- Course Control Number (CCN)
- Date/Time of course
- Location
- Units
- Exam Group
- Lab and/or Discussion group time/location (if applicable)
Phew! That’s a lot of information. But, remember, the better prepared you are, the better your advisers will be able to assist you at CalSO. A few final tips:
- Don’t try and plan your entire college career now. Focus on your first semester at Berkeley. Get that right, and the rest will come easier.
- Do come to CalSO with your questions. That’s what we’re here for. We know it’s an exciting and anxious time for you right now, and Berkeley is a big place. We’re here to help make it a little smaller.
- Coming to Berkeley isn’t just about academics. School is important, but getting involved outside of the classroom will enrich your experience and truly make you a Cal student. Check out Resource (the online student handbook) for some of what Berkeley has to offer.
- Make sure to get some sleep the night before your CalSO program. You'll be on the go from the minute you get here until you leave!
Can’t make it to CalSO? Let us know by Sunday June 9, 2013, or we won't be able to send you the information you need to sign up for classes before Phase I registration ends. Log on and then click the "I can't attend CalSO!" link at the bottom of the page.