The University of California system considers you a first-year applicant if you are still in high school or have graduated from high school but have not enrolled in a regular session at any college or university. If you attend a summer session immediately after graduating from high school, you are still considered a first-year applicant.
If you've completed all or some high school or secondary school at an institution where English was not the language of instruction, you will be required to demonstrate English proficiency if you have had less than 3 years of instruction in English by time of graduation.
Interested in becoming a Triton? As a first-year applicant, you must earn a high school diploma (or equivalent) and satisfy UC minimum admission requirements. UC San Diego reviews both academic and non-academic factors in consideration for admission. Competitive applicants present an academic profile stronger than the minimum requirements detailed below.
To be eligible for admission to UC San Diego, you must complete UC College preparatory courses (A-G courses) in the subjects below and earn a "C" grade or better. Complete at least 11 of the 15 courses before your senior year of high school.
If you are applying to a selective major, we strongly recommend that you indicate an alternate non-selective major on your UC application. If you are not admitted to your first-choice selective major, you may be admitted to your alternate major if space is available.
First-Year applicants completing California Community College coursework, please note: Neither IGETC certification nor partial-IGETC completion may apply toward the fulfillment of UC San Diego college general education requirements for incoming first-year students.
You have four years to explore a range of academic subjects and interests. Think about those areas that most interest you. Read Explore Majors to consider the range of subjects you might study. Take the time also to learn about other fields that interest you or that will broaden your horizons.
All first-year engineering students pursue a common academic program consisting of mathematics, chemistry, physics, humanities/social science electives, and two specially designed first year engineering courses. These courses provide each student with an overview of the fields and methods of engineering; introduce certain skills basic to engineering; and acquaint students with the interaction of skills, techniques, logic, and creativity in engineering problem formulation and solving. Although the curriculum is common, the actual schedule for each student is based on their incoming background and their anticipated major. Upon completion of the first-year curriculum, students with a 2.00 (or higher) on a 4.00 scale choose their major from any of the ten departments or programs.
First year students also participate in an engineering seminar, facilitated by their Academic Advisor and an Engineering Peer Mentor. These seminars provide general information on the transition to college, study skills, co-curricular opportunities, and provide an overview of the various engineering fields. First Year Engineering Seminar (ENGR 0082) is a group Advising experience that provides weekly contact with advisors and peer mentors.
Entering first-year students who meet eligibility requirements may opt to take honors courses. Students may take University Honors College courses that substitute for regular required course offerings. Students may enroll in all honors courses or a combination of courses, but students are encouraged to be conservative in opting into Honors college classes.
* Engineering students must take six humanities/social science courses from an approved list before they graduate; two will be composition courses (ENGCMP 0210 and 0412) in the first year. More information on humanities/social science electives.
First Year Seminar (UCO 1200) introduces first-year Appalachian students (freshmen and transfers*) to a liberal arts education at Appalachian through interdisciplinary engagement with a broad topic or question. Experienced faculty engage First Year Seminar students in a shared process of inquiry in small (with an average class size of 22) seminar-style classes. Students in First Year Seminar practice thinking critically and creatively, communicating effectively, developing intercultural competence, and developing information literacy competence. Students in First Year Seminar also engage with the common reading book, and are exposed to university resources and activities, explicit expectations for college-level work, and the purpose of a liberal arts education. In addition to examining distinct topics from multiple perspectives, all classes equip students with a common set of transferable skills. In particular, First Year Seminar facilitates student engagement with fellow students, the university, and the community, and the development of the habits of rigorous study, intellectual growth, and lifelong learning.
Every First Year Seminar course is designed by an individual faculty member on a topic of their choice that integrates the aforementioned common learning goals. Prospective First Year Seminar instructors propose their course and describe how it will meet the common learning goals to an elected faculty committee, who review proposals about a year in advance, and whose approval is required before a course can be taught.
*Effective Fall 2023, the First Year Seminar requirement in General Education (which is satisfied by UCO 1200, HON 1515, or WRC 1103) can be waived by students who (1) graduated from high school at least one year prior to entering Appalachian, (2) are classified as transfer students by Admissions, AND (3) have earned at least 24 transferable semester credit hours at postsecondary institutions prior to entering Appalachian. Credit by exam or for military or life experience is excluded from the 24 semester credit hours. Students whose First Year Seminar requirement in General Education is waived might have three fewer semester credit hours of General Education.
The First Year Seminar Core Faculty are dedicated Lecturers in First Year Seminar. They are award-winning faculty members who are innovative in their teaching methods and deeply committed to Appalachian's first-year students.
The subjects covered in this exam are: Contracts, Criminal Law, and Torts. An answer based upon legal theories and principles of general applicability is sufficient; detailed knowledge of California law is not required. The following provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) should be used where pertinent:
Torts
180.01
An analysis of liability for personal injuries and injuries to property. The law of negligence occupies a central place in the course content, but this course also considers other aspects of tort liability, such as strict liability, liability of producers and sellers of products, nuisance, liability for defamation and invasion of privacy, and commercial torts. The subjects of causation, damages, insurance (including automobile no-fault compensation systems), and workers' compensation are also included. 4.5 credits
In the spring, first-year JD students will choose one elective from the following courses. Because Property remains a required course and degree requirement, students who opt to take a different course in the spring will instead take Property in the fall of their 2L year.
One great way to begin exploring your options is to choose a department, any department, and use the information in the "First-Year Focus" section of their websites to get a sense of what majoring in that department would mean, whether or not you could apply any AP or IB credit you have earned toward the major, the best classes for you to take first, and even what kinds of careers students with that major tend to follow. You will also find the name and email address of someone to whom you can write with questions about courses in that department or program. Quick links to departmental First-Year Focus pages.
Students who are considering a pre-health path have a little less flexibility when filling their two additional classes, as they generally take both Calculus and Chemistry starting in their first quarter. Learn more about the first year of a pre-health curriculum.
Most colleges are on a semester-based calendar, which means each academic year is split in half and you have a set number of credits in each of the two semesters. Other schools may have more than two terms, which means you may take fewer credit hours each term than you would at a school on semesters.
College is a time of discovery and experimentation. Your plans may change several times during your undergrad years, but you should always be looking to graduation and what you need to do to get there.
Enrolling less than full time can have consequences. It can affect your tuition, any scholarships, loans, or financial aid you are getting, and of course, make you take longer than four years to graduate. So think carefully before you make this kind of request and make sure you have a logical reason to do so.
Freshman year is your introduction to college. That means every part, not just classes: living away from home (possibly with roommates), feeding and clothing yourself, having more free time and more social freedom, balancing classes with jobs, activities, athletics, and so on. Colleges are aware of this, and the expectations for freshman year are a little different.
With gen eds to cover and plenty to adjust to, most would argue you should take somewhere between the minimum and maximum required number of credits during both your first semester and spring semester of your freshman year. Again, at most colleges that means 15 credits or five classes, but it will depend on your school. It will keep you on track to graduate on time without overwhelming you too fast.
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