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Getting Organized

Applying for California Residency

U.S. citizens and permanent residents are encouraged to apply for California residency for tuition purposes as early as possible. Full details about eligibility and the residency process are published online by the UCSD Office of the Registrar. 


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Computer Orientation and Network Access

To gain access to the UCSD network, as well as IR/PS technology resources, you will have to register both yourself and your computer with the school.  You may do so by completing the following items:
  1. Complete the IR/PS Online Computer Orientation prior to your arrival at IR/PS. Upon completion, you will receive passwords for all IR/PS accounts, including email.
  2. Obtain your student identification card (required for step 3).
  3. Attend a laptop check-in session at the IR/PS Computer Lab during the IR/PS Prep laptop orientation or the general IR/PS orientation.  During your visit to the lab, your personal laptop will be certified for minimum requirements and then connected to the IR/PS network. Each laptop must receive certification before it can be connected to the IR/PS network.  Also during your visit to the lab, your student identification card will be activated to give you access to the IR/PS computer lab, student lounge, and student lockers. 
More information regarding the laptop orientation will be emailed incoming students during the summer. All sessions will be held at the IR/PS computer lab in building three of the Robinson Building Complex.
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Financial Support

Merit-based fellowship offers were made in March and April. All offers came with a specific expiration date, and aid that was declined will be redistributed until all available aid is allocated. If you are applying for need-based aid as U.S. citizen or permanent resident, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Please note that fellowship offers from IR/PS may negatively affect need-based aid offers.

During our orientation program held at the beginning of each academic year, IR/PS Student Affairs staff members present information on obtaining fellowships. In addition, our staff keeps a continually updated Fellowship Funding page, which lists available fellowships by application due date.

Students who would like to work on campus to offset their graduate education expenses are encouraged to meet with the IR/PS Student Affairs staff after they have completed one quarter of graduate study. The IR/PS Student Affairs staff assists students in their search for academic appointments, and serves as the student advocate during the hiring and employment processes.

For more information regarding the financial resources offered at IR/PS, visit the Financial Resources page.

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Getting Around

Except for the campus loop shuttle and city bus 101, most shuttle and bus stops are approximately a 10-15 minute walk from IR/PS. Some shuttles have limited summer service during the time of the PREP program. For more information on transportation see the Transportation and Parking Office website.


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Housing

On-campus housing is available for single graduate students, couples, and families. Please visit the graduate and professional student housing website for more information about on-campus housing communities and the application process.  Most IR/PS students who live in graduate student housing find an apartment through ads placed by current graduate students looking to rent out a second or third bedroom. You can find these ads in the Housing folder in FirstClass, and posts on the University Housing Service's ARCH Housing Roommate Form.

There are many options available if you choose to live off campus. Check the Commuter Student Services website for off-campus housing search advice.

Finally, here is a helpful website for international students when considering both short-term and long-term housing options.

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International Students

All international students are required to register at the UC San Diego International Center upon arrival to the United States. Detailed information about the registration processes and the documents you need to present at registration can be found at the UC San Diego International Center website.

Please note that IR/PS international students are also required to attend the mandatory "New International Student Orientation” session offered by the UC San Diego International Center, as well as the IR/PS Orientation. The session offered by the UC San Diego International Center will be held on September 14, 2010 from 9:00am to 4:00pm in room 108 of Peterson Hall.  Please visit the International Center orientation website for additional information and register for this mandatory session as soon as possible.

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International Student Financial Statement

Once an international applicant has received an offer of admission, he/she must indicate in a financial statement the amount and source of the funds he/she will use for graduate study in the United States. This form is forwarded to international applicants upon their admission. Written evidence of sufficient financial resources must be provided before visa forms will be issued. Questions regarding the international applicant financial statement should be addressed to the Office of Graduate Studies.

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Maps and Parking

Parking is available with a parking permit in the Pangea parking structure, just west of IR/PS. Click here for maps and directions to IR/PS and the Pangea parking structure.

Please note that a parking permit is required every time you park a car on campus. Hourly and one-day parking permits are available for purchase through vending machines at the top level of the Pangea parking structure. The machines accept cash or credit card payments.

There are considerable savings over the daily permit rate with pre-purchased annual permits or short-term permits, available online or at the Campus Transportation and Parking office.

IR/PS students are encouraged to find alternative means of communiting to campus to both save money and reduce the number of cars coming to campus each day. The UC San Diego Transportation and Parking Office has a list of commuting alternatives including public transportation, bike to campus club (Pedal Club), and a ride-share program. IR/PS students are also encouraged to carpool to campus with other classmates.

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Single Sign On

To register for classes (WebReg) and a variety of other TritonLink online tools, you will need a personal identification (PID) number and Single Sign-on account. Your PID is available on the application status page of the online application. Once you have your PID, you can create your Single Sign-on account.

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Student Identification Cards

Students may obtain UC San Diego student identification cards from the campus Student Business Services office, Suite 355 in the Student Services Center, anytime during normal business hours after July 15th. You will need photo identification (e.g., passport or driver’s license). IR/PS also reserves time at Student Business Services during the IR/PS Prep check-in. We will visit the office as a group and obtain student identification cards for anyone who has not yet done so. You will need photo identification to obtain your student identification card during the group session.

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Summer Prep Program

If you are required or recommended to take prep classes at IR/PS, visit the Prep Program page for class and registration information.

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Tritonlink

Tritonlink provides information for current UC San Diego students, including links to events, academic announcements and deadlines, and ways to get involved at UC San Diego. Tritonlink is also where you will enroll in courses, submit payments, view your grades, and track your degree completion. Familiarize yourself with all the TritonLink Tools.

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Last updated April 22, 2011

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