Freshman Edge – Student Experience

Why Attend?

Earn UCI Units

Take a maximum of two courses and earn up to 8 units of UCI credit. Start this summer and get ahead to finish your degree in four years!

Get Access to Exclusive Opportunities

As a Freshman Edge student, you will receive exclusive support from Student Success Initiatives staff and student mentors in the form of workshops, social events, and one on one counseling throughout Summer Session II and your first academic year.

Gain Confidence & Make New Friends

Imagine making friends before the school year even begins! With a smaller starting group, Freshman Edge students are able to form cohesive friendships that will last a lifetime!

Student Experience

Students participating in Freshman Edge get the opportunity to embrace UCI and everything it has to offer at a time when the campus is more relaxed from the peak occupancy of the academic year. The student experience at Freshman Edge is designed to build your confidence in entering college level coursework, the pace of the quarter system (remember, summer is 5 weeks of instruction per session – even more accelerated than a traditional quarter) and to ultimately ensure that you have found an Institution where you know you belong.
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Unique Pathways

Students participating in Freshman Edge may notice several similarities and differences in their experience from their peers. For example – ALL Freshman Edge students regardless of pathway will participate in a section of the UNI STU 83/84 course. However, International Students, and Summer Bridge Scholarship recipients will be assigned to a second course required by their enrollment in Freshman Edge while their peers will participate in an elective of their choosing.
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Online Program for 2021

For summer 2021, our program will be held online due to public health guidelines. We utilize a combination of Zoom, Canvas, and UCI email to contact the majority of our internations while operating online.. Students can expect synchronous participation in the program with asynchronous accommodations available on request contingent on cooperation from said presenter(s). While the UCI campus is open to the general public, many buildings are not accessible at this time. Visitors should follow posted signs regarding mask wearing, hand washing, social distancing, etc. As soon as it is safe and we are permitted to do so, we look forward to meeting you in person per the guidelines established at that time.
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Freshman Edge and Summer Bridge

All Freshman Edge participants will receive access to support services, workshops, and more throughout the summer (minimum participation requirements exist within each pathway – Edge, Edge International, and Summer Bridge). Once the summer has concluded services are also offered throughout the academic year from our program team.

For Summer Bridge Scholarship recipients, participating in meetings, workshops, etc. during their first academic year  (fall, winter, and spring) is required as a condition of accepting the Bridge scholarship. Freshman Edge and Freshman Edge International students will receive access to services on an optional basis.

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Housing

At this time, no SSI programs are expected to be in person until the fall quarter of 2021. As such, we are unable to offer housing for Freshman Edge students during the summer program. Should this change, students enrolled in the Freshman Edge program will be notified.

Freshman Edge Events

All event schedules and registration for said events will be provided to students in their program CANVAS page once the program begins.

Inside UCI

A key part of Freshman Edge features a presentation series known as INSIDE UCI. These presentations by prominent UCI faculty will give you a “front row seat” to the diverse academic paths and current research of UCI faculty. You will be able to ask them questions about their academic journeys, how they became interested in research, and why they do what they do. Freshman Edge students are required to attend at least TWO of these events per the UNI STU 196 course requirements.

Collegiate Life

Collegiate Life events cover topics relating to career exploration, resume writing, study skills, health and wellness, campus opportunities, graduate school, internships and more! Freshman Edge students are required to attend at least TWO of these events per the UNI STU 196 course requirements.

Campus Events

While campus may be a bit more quiet in the summer, that doesn’t mean it is not abuzz. In addition to campus announcements, our team of mentors will make sure you get information about the different opportunities to get involved on-campus over the summer. Many academic units and services host guest lectures, performances and more during the summer months. Schedules and event content varies.

Peer Connections

In class, and certainly at our events, we will do everything we can to help you meet your fellow students. Our mentors and UNI STU discussion leaders play a key role in hosting opportunities to foster these very connections in addition to giving you the inside scoop on their experiences and knowledge of how to be successful at UCI. Mentor opportunities are typically optional unless specifically noted otherwise by your course instructor(s). UNI STU discussion sections are required per your course enrollment.

Enroll Now!

Enrolling in Freshman Edge is simple. Visit our enrollment page to complete your Freshman Edge enrollment form and view course, fee, and deadline information.

Enroll in Freshman Edge