You've discovered the survival tips for UCI Dance majors! By this point, you have tombé pas de bourrée'd through the audition and you are now ready to piqué arabesque through the door of life as a student. This page collects tidbits of knowledge that will be especially useful for new students.
Check out the New Student Handbook to confirm that you are ready to roll here at UCI. On this page you will find a New Student Checklist, which includes information on statement of legal residence forms, housing, placement tests, and more!
View your ZOTBill which indicates your amount of fees and the financial aid currently available to pay your fees.
All new international students must check in with the International Student Center upon arrival. The International Center also provides assistance and multicultural programs during your stay at UCI.
The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) provides grants to support UCI faculty-mentored undergraduate research or creative projects. The "Calls for Proposals" for these grants are announced in the Fall and Spring Quarters of each school year. Check out this site to find funding support for your creative projects!
The UCI Education Abroad Program (EAP) offers opportunities for students to study abroad and progress toward their UCI degree while developing the academic, personal, and professional skills necessary to be well-informed, engaged members of the global society. Dance majors can study different forms of cultural or folk dance in its home country. Many UCI Dance majors have also fulfilled breadth requirements while studying abroad. Follow these links for more information:
Dance majors who wish to improve their interview skills and update resumes are encouraged to make use of the Career Center. Resources available include workshops on communication skills, interview practice sessions, and creating a professional curriculum vitae.
There are many computer labs on campus with both PC and Macintosh computers. UCI offers a free basic modem service to faculty, staff and students. It is meant to be used primarily for basic educational access to email and on-line resources.
UCI provides free email accounts to all students. When you receive your student ID number you will automatically be given an email account. University offices frequently use email to communicate information to students, so it is important to activate your UCInetID and check your email frequently.
The Anteater Recreational Center (ARC) is equipped with two different gymnasiums, an elevated running track, a rock-climbing wall, a fitness lab, and several activity rooms. Its Aquatics Plaza contains a 25 by 25 yard heated recreational lap pool and a 10,000 square foot weight and cardio room. Students can pursue their own fitness programs or participate in a full myriad of campus recreation programs. These programs include in-line skating, scuba, kickbox aerobics, Aikido, sailing and more.
The most convenient grocery store to campus is Albertson's, across Campus Drive from Verano. It is fairly large and also includes a pharmacy. In this same shopping area is a Starbucks and a cheap gas station. Trader Joe's is located across Campus Drive between Bridge and Berkeley in the University Town Center Shopping Area, for an interesting selection of foods. The UTC also has the Steelhead Brewery, Le Diplomat, Bistro, Diedrich's Coffee, Jack-in-the-box, Arriba (Mexican), Noodle house, Chinese and Pizza eateries, In-N-Out, Golden Spoon, card shops, and many more. IKEA is a short 10 minute drive. Take the 73N-405N exit Harbor. Ikea will be on your right, you won't miss it, big blue building. Fashion Island is a huge shopping mall within minutes of UCI. From Campus, turn left on MacArthur. Fashion Island will be on your right after a couple lights, before you get to Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). If you hit PCH, go right and then take the Fashion Island entrance on your right. The big discount store in town is Target, at the corner of Culver and Barranca in Irvine.
Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Chase, and the Schools First Federal Credit Union currently have ATMs in the Student Center. Wells Fargo and Schools First Federal Credit Union also have branches on campus in the Student Center.
Surf's up! You now go to school within a 15 minute drive of the beach. No excuses for not visiting the beach while you are here. Drive your car, (or hop in your fellow student's car), and take Jamboree all the way to the end. Hang ten, check out the surf report and don't wait until Spring quarter of your first year to make this trip. Watching the sunset melts away all stress and reflecting on the expansive ocean makes all things possible!
Pictured: Students warm up before class. Photo by Skye Schmidt.
