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Welcome Incoming First Year Students

First Year Checklist

  • Attending Highlander Orientation is an essential first step in your transition to campus. During this experience, you’ll learn about important campus resources, get introduced to the School of Education, and begin building meaningful connections with your peers, helping you feel prepared and supported before classes even start.

    Your Highlander Advising Support & Registration online session is just as important. In this session, you’ll receive personalized guidance for your major, connect directly with SOE Academic Advisors, and ensure you’re enrolled in the right courses for Fall 2026, setting you up for a strong and confident start to your academic journey.

    Ensure you sign up today as this is mandatory  for all incoming students. 
     

    To register for a session, or to ask any questions about Highlander Orientation, please visit https://orientation.ucr.edu/.

  • Submitting all prior college credit ensures you receive proper course placement and do not repeat coursework, helping you stay on track for your degree.


    If you have earned college credit, please complete the following before your orientation session:

    Importance:
    Completing these steps ahead of time allows your academic advisors to give you accurate guidance and helps you register for the correct courses during your advising and enrollment session.

  • Entry-Level Writing Requirement (ELWR) & Placement

    The Entry-Level Writing Requirement (ELWR) ensures you are prepared for university-level writing, which is essential for your academic success at UC Riverside. Completing your writing placement on time allows you to enroll in the appropriate writing course during your first term.


    Before or during your first year, you must satisfy the ELWR through qualifying test scores, grades, or by completing the Writing Placement Process (WPP). The School of Education strongly recommends that all first-year students take the WPP, even if you expect to earn high AP scores. In addition:

    • Ensure your AP scores are sent to UC Riverside as soon as possible.
    • Complete the WPP prior to your Highlander Orientation session.

    Importance:
    Taking the WPP ensures advisors have the necessary information to place you into the correct writing course during your advising session, especially since AP scores often arrive after orientation. The School of Education will always honor your highest placement, so there is no risk in taking the WPP.

    If your AP scores arrive later and change your placement, advisors will help you adjust your writing course accordingly. However, failing to confirm your writing placement ahead of time may prevent you from enrolling in a writing course during your Virtual Advising session, which could delay your academic progress.

    Access additional information on the ELWR and the WPP. 

     
    The following exam scores may impact your first quarter schedule:

    AP Examination 

    Minimum Score

    English Placement

    English (Language/Composition)

    3

    WRIT 020

    English (Language/Composition)

    4,5

    WRIT 030
    English (Literature/Composition) 3 WRIT 020
    English (Literature/Composition) 4,5 WRIT 030
    International Baccalaureate English Literature 5 WRIT 020
    International Baccalaureate English Literature 6,7 WRIT 030

    If you completed an English Composition Course at another college/university, please visit assist.org to verify how your English Composition course(s) will transfer to UCR.  Please ensure that  all official transcript with previous English course credit has been submitted to the UCR Undergraduate Admissions office.

    Access additional information at the Undergraduate Admissions Office website. 

  • Math Placement Process

    The Math Placement Process (MPP) ensures you are placed into the appropriate entry-level math course, which is especially important if you plan to pursue a secondary major, minor, or career pathway that requires math.


    Because AP exam scores are typically released in July, often after Highlander Orientation, the School of Education strongly encourages all incoming first-year students to consider completing the Math Placement Assessment (MPA), regardless of expected AP results. In addition:

    • Complete the MPA before your orientation session if math may be part of your academic plans.
    • Send your AP scores to UC Riverside as soon as they are available.
    • Access your AP Score Reports through the College Board website, as these may be used as temporary documentation for placement.
    • Ensure you have documentation of any qualifying math credit (AP, IB, or transferable college coursework) available during advising.

    Importance:
    Completing the MPA provides advisors with the information needed to place you into the correct math course and build your fall schedule on time, even if your AP scores have not yet arrived. The School of Education will always honor your highest placement result, so there is no disadvantage to completing the MPA.

    Failing to confirm your math placement may prevent you from enrolling in a math course during Orientation or advising, which could delay progress toward programs or career paths that require math. Students can only enroll in a math course with a valid placement score or approved transfer credit, making timely completion of this step essential.

    The following exam scores may impact your course schedule: 

    Exam

    Score(s)

    		 Math Placement
     Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus (AB) Exam 2 MATH 004 / MATH005A

    Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus (AB) Exam

    2

    		  
    Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus (AB) Exam 3, 4, 5 MATH 007B / MATH009B 

    Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus (BC) Exam

    3

    		 MATH 009C
    Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus (BC) Exam 4, 5 MATH 010A

    International Baccalaureate (IB) Mathematics Exam

    5, 6, 7

    		 MATH 009B

    If you have transferable college credit at the Pre-Calculus (Math 5 at UCR) level or higher from an accredited institution of higher education, please access the assist.org website to verify how your Math course transfers to UCR from a California Community College.  Please submit an official transcript with completed Math coursework to the UCR Undergraduate Admissions Office.

    Access additional information at the Undergraduate Admissions Office website.

  • Finding Your Placement Results

    Reviewing your placement results and exam credit in advance helps ensure a smooth and efficient registration experience. Having this information ready allows advisors to place you in the correct courses without delays.


    Before your  a day prior to your advising session, please review your placement information and exam credit in your Student Profile on R’Web:

    • Log into your R’Web account
    • Select “Student Profile” → “Prior Education and Testing”

    In your profile, you can view:

    • Math Placement Assessment (MPA) results
    • Writing Placement Process (WPP) results
    • AP exam credit
    • “Unofficial Transcript” for any transferable college coursework

    If your AP exam credit is not yet posted, you must provide a PDF copy of your Score Report to enroll in the appropriate course. Access your scores at the College Board Website.

    Once you have your PDF Score Report:

    • Log in to your eLearn Canvas portal
    • Have it ready to use when enrolling during the advising and enrollment meeting

    Importance:
    Completing these steps ahead of time ensures you can register for the correct courses during your advising session. Without verified placement results or supporting documentation, you may be unable to enroll in required classes, which could delay your academic progress.

  • If you have additional questions, you can email the the SOE Undergraduate Programs at edundergrad@ucr.edu by following these instructions: 

    1. Send the email from your UCR email account
    2. Use the subject line: First Name + Last Name + Orientation (ex: John Doe Orientation)
    3. Start your email with your 9-digit Student Identification (SID) number in the body of the email (86-------)
    4. Detail all of you questions in the first email and allow one week for a member of the team to respond 

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