New Graduate Students
Congratulations and welcome to Baskin Engineering at UC Santa Cruz! We’re here to support you throughout your first year as a graduate student.
Important dates upon arrival
International students who will be physically present in the U.S. must complete the mandatory Visa Check-in online.
Visit the Division of Graduate Studies for information on the mandatory international student, campus-wide new graduate student, and TA orientations.
TA/GSR payroll signups: You will receive payroll signup instructions once your first employment position at UCSC is set up. If you are working as a TA or GSR in the fall quarter, your payroll signup will take place during that time. For students on fellowship, payroll signups will occur in later quarters.
Check the UCSC Academic and Administrative Calendar for class start dates.
Navigating UCSC
ID card services
This should be your first stop as a BE graduate student. ID Card Services is located on the second floor of the Bay Tree Campus Store.
Building access
Once you obtain your UCSC student ID card, you will need to submit a request for any buildings or rooms you will need access to.
Computer support
The ITS Service Desk is your single point of contact for all issues, problems, or questions related to technology services and computing at UCSC.
Computer usage policies
All BE computer users need to be familiar with the computer usage policies of UCSC.
Academic calendar
Important graduate student-related dates and deadlines.
Graduate Division
Graduate student handbook, forms, resources, and upcoming events.
Enrollment
MyUCSC
Online registration will be done through the MyUCSC student portal. The first time you access this registration process you will be asked for your student ID number and password.
Enrollment FAQs
For help enrolling in a class, visit the enrollment FAQs on the registrar’s website.
Graduate student advising
For questions or help with course selections, speak with your faculty advisor or contact your departmental graduate student advisor.
Independent study
Unless otherwise instructed by your department, all students planning to enroll in an independent studies/thesis research course must submit a petition signed by your faculty advisor to the BE Grad Advising Office in order to receive a course number by email.
Online schedule of classes
Information about courses, registration, enrollment information, and more.
Payroll
BE academic payroll
Payroll-related questions, office hours, and payroll contact information.
Acceptable documents (PDF)
If you are a Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) or a Teaching Assistant (TA), you must fill out important payroll paperwork with a BE payroll analyst. Review the list of acceptable documents that you must bring with you to your payroll sign-up appointment.
SSN information
If you are an international student, you must obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) to complete the payroll sign-up. However, you do not need to have your SSN prior to your appointment with the BE payroll analyst. This step can be completed after your initial sign-up.
UCPath
Enroll in direct deposit through the UCPath dashboard. Resources for navigating UCPath can be at the UCPATH @ UCSC.
Housing and transportation
Housing services
Housing services provides general housing information, including resources for off-campus housing and family student housing.
TAPS
Information regarding parking permits can be obtained from Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS). There are alternative transportation services available including campus shuttles, carpools, vanpools, and Zipcar.
Out-of-state and international students
Establishing residency
Domestic students from out-of-state must establish California residency at the end of the first year (or before fall quarter of the second year) in order to avoid out-of-state tuition assessment in subsequent years in the program. If you do not establish California residency, you will be responsible to pay the non-resident tuition if your funding source does not cover this.
International student services and programming
Find all the resources you need as a new or returning international student, including Visas, I-20/DS-2019 requests, what to do upon arrival in the U.S., and more.
International student handbook
Use this handbook during your arrival and transition to UCSC. Find information on entering the U.S., health services and immunization requirements, transportation, housing, driver’s licenses, local events and activities, and more.
SSN information
If you are an international student, you must obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) to complete the payroll sign-up. However, you do not need to have your SSN prior to your appointment with the BE payroll analyst. This step can be completed after your initial sign-up.