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New Graduate Student Information

New Student Information 

Please take the time to read through all of this important new student information to get you started.

New Student Set Up

  • Submitting your SIR (Statement of Intent to Register)
  • We ask you SIR as soon as possible (whether you are attending UC Davis or not) so that we can plan accordingly and you can complete all the steps to start here in the fall in a timely manner, and receive all the important emails throughout the summer. 
    Please submit your SIR by June 1.  If you SIR 'YES' after July 1, please contact Lauren Worrell (lkworrell@ucdavis.edu). 
    The official campus deadline to SIR is August 1. 

    To submit your SIR: Please click on the link in the email you received from the Office of Graduate Studies informing you about your formal admission offer.  If you lost this email, or if the link takes you to an error page, please contact Lauren Worrell and she will request the system re-send the email to you. 

    After you submit your SIR, you will want to complete all the steps in your checklist (you will see this after submitting your SIR). In early July, the program will send out (via email) the updated New Student Information Packet. This packet contains important information such as: orientations, dates and deadlines, tips on enrolling in classes, funding, and TA and reader appointments. Please be patient to wait for this packet to come out.
  • Request to defer admission
  • If you are interested in deferring your admission, please submit your SIR as a "yes" (by Aug. 1), but DO NOT enroll in fall courses yet (if you enroll, you can no longer defer). Requests can be submitted until September 1 by emailing the Graduate Program Coordinator with the following information (Please copy and paste the "email body" section into the email and answer all the questions):

    Email Subject:
    Deferral Request: [your name]
    Email Body:
    - Your full name:
    - Your SID (found on your admission letter):
    - Requested deferment term (example: Fall 2025):
    - The name of your major professor if you have already been in contact with a faculty member (Note: some MS students may or may not have a major professor yet, in which case you may state "area advisor"): 
    - A short statement as to the reason for your deferral request:
    - Have you submitted your SIR "yes" (yes/no):
    - Have you enrolled in any fall classes (yes/no):

    NOTES: Deferral requests can be for one, two or up to three quarters (one full year maximum). Our department generally only approves one deferral request, so please be sure of the term you would like to attend prior to making the request. You will not need to submit a new application. Approval of deferred admission does not automatically approve a deferral of any financial offer you might have received. If you want to request a deferral after September 1, but before the first day of the fall quarter, please email the Graduate Program Coordinator to ask for a departmental exception. 

    ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS: Most of our graduate coursework is offered once a year or once every other year.  Starting the program in a winter or spring term may impact your ability to take courses that are in a series or prerequisites for courses that are offered in the year. It is highly recommended you speak to a faculty advisor prior to requesting a deferral to a winter or spring term. Deferring for a full year (to the following fall term) is more common. 

    Deferral Requests will be automatically denied if:
    - If the request is made after UC Davis instruction starts (Requests made after Sept. 1 and before the start of instruction are considered on a case by case basis)
    - If you have enrolled in classes
    - If you submit your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) as a "no"
    - If you were admitted to the MS program, and you plan to attend a MS program elsewhere during the deferral period
  • Computer & E-mail Accounts
  • The department’s IT Support will give you information regarding your department access to the computer laboratories at the New Student Virtual Orientation. In the meantime, you should have already established your UC Davis computing and email account when you submitted your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR).

    If you have NOT set up your UCD computing account and email, you should do so immediately. Instructions can be found here. If you need assistance setting up your computing account and email, contact IT Express: http://itexpress.ucdavis.edu/.

    All university-related communications will be sent to your UCD email, so it’s important that you check it on a regular basis. You can also redirect your UCD email.
  • DUO
  • DUO is a multi-factor authentication system which will better protect your UC Davis accounts. Enroll now.
  • My UC Davis
  • My.ucdavis.edu is a portal you can use to access your email, your schedule, your bill, and has links to all sorts of resources. Once you log in, you can edit the tiles on the main screen to have easy access to the things that are important to you. I would recommend using myAccounting, mySchedule, and myQuicklinks.

    In the Finances tab, you will also see a link to myAwards – please note that these are awards through the Financial Aid office, and completely separate from any funding through the department or college. Academic appointments and departmental fellowship for example are not reflected in myAwards.
  • AggieCard - Student ID
  • All students will receive a student ID card called an AggieCard. Find out more here.
  • Final Transcripts
  • All students must submit their official transcripts to Graduate Studies. If you submitted your final transcripts before you graduated, you will need to order a final transcript with your degree posted, and resubmit your official transcript. The final transcript(s) should be sent directly to Graduate Studies. Find out more here.
  • Statement of Legal Residence Hold (Deadline July 1st)
  • The Office of the University Registrar will be contacting you regarding filling out a Statement of Legal Residence form. This form is online and the deadline to complete it is July 1. If you do not meet this deadline, you may be classified as a nonresident and assessed the Nonresident Supplemental Tuition. Find out more here.
  • UC Davis Health Requirements
  • Be sure to submit your immunization records. More information can be found here: https://shcs.ucdavis.edu/resources/new-students

International Students

  • International Student Orientation Program
  • International students are required to attend the International Student Orientation Program. 

    Please be sure to read all the information on the “Newly Admitted Students” website.

    For more information about requirements for international students, please contact SISS with the following:
    Website: http://siss.ucdavis.edu/
    Email: siss@ucdavis.edu
    Phone: (530) 752-0864

    You can find your advisor based on last name here.
  • English Language Courses for International Students
  • Many international students will need to take UWP 225 / UWP 226 during their first academic year. The policy regarding this requirement can be found here.

    For more information about the English Course Requirement, please visit this website.

    This course will NOT count toward your degree requirements, or units needed for the degree, but it will count towards the 12 units needed to be a full time student in any given quarter.

    It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to take this course in the fall, as it will help you be successful in the graduate program at UC Davis.
  • Qualify as a Teaching Assistant
  • The Office of Graduate Studies requires all graduate students, except those with an undergraduate degree from an institution where English is the sole language of instruction (according to the World Higher Education Database or the Office of Graduate Studies), to demonstrate oral English proficiency before they are appointed to Teaching Assistant (TA) or Associate Instructor (AI) positions. Review the university policy.

    NOTE: If you were eligible to waive the admission English Language Examination based on a graduate degree in English, this will not meet the eligibility requirement to be a TA.

    More information about the eligibility and a overview chart can be found on the Global Studies Qualify as a Teaching Assistant (TA) website.

Domestic Non-Residents

  • Establishing California Residency for Tuition Purposes
  • If you are classified as a domestic non-resident, after one year, you can establish California Residency for Tuition Purposes, and not be charged the Non-Resident Supplemental Tuition. While it takes a year to establish residency, it is important to begin the process early (in the first month of arriving in California, and definitely before December/ the end of your first quarter) with steps such as:
    • Getting a CA driver’s license
    • Registering to vote in California
    • Registering your vehicle in California (if you have one)

    Please take the time now to understand the steps required so you can start early. More information can be found here.  Also, view our checklist on how to establish residency here.

    **Failure to take these steps EARLY can result in a denial of your in-state residence. 

    Students denied residence will continue to be charged (and responsible for paying) the Non-Resident Supplemental Tuition. 

Insurance and Health Services

If this is an emergency, Dial: 911

Other Important Information

  • UC Davis Calendars and Important Dates
  • Take a moment to review the Registrar's Calendars and put important dates on your personal calendar.

    Please make sure to look at the “Fees and Billing”, “Quarter Dates and Deadlines”, and “Graduate Student Deadlines” calendars, all linked on the left hand side of this page. 

    For example, there are important deadlines on the 10th, 12th, 20th, and 25th days of instruction you should become familiar with.
  • Fee Payment Deadline
  • The "student fee payment deadline" is relevant for our Undergraduate Students.  As a Graduate Student, please pay attention to the "Graduate Student Final Fee Payment Deadline" each quarter, and make sure you have a zero balance on your account by this later graduate student deadline. For these dates, check out the Graduate Studies Calendar! Even if you are fully funded, it is your responsibility to make sure your fees are paid by the deadline.
  • Housing Information Web Sites
  • Here are a few housing resources/websites to help you get started.  Most leases in Davis will be for the full academic year, so be sure to do your research before signing a lease.
    • Student Housing Office (Official UC Davis information)
    • Community Housing Listing, operated by Associated Students of UCD. This site is especially helpful if you are interested in renting a room in a larger house.
    • Graduate Studies Resource Page: Lots of links and helpful information here!
    • Graduate Studies student facebook page: This page is managed by Graduate Studies, and invites all incoming students to join. Students frequently post housing info, roommate opportunities, and upcoming vacancies
    • Graduate/Profession Housing Facebook Group: This page is managed by students, and can be tricky to join. See instructions here.
    • Davis Enterprise annual Housing Day insert (not affiliated with UC Davis): Features individual listings and contact information for local rental management companies
    • The California Aggie: The campus student-run newspaper often carries classifieds and ads for housing.
    • Craigslist.org (not affiliated with UC Davis). Some apartments, and room leases will be listed here.
    • Uloop.com (not affiliated with UC Davis). Like craigslist, has individual postings
    • Yelp.com (not affiliated with UC Davis). Includes reviews of apartments near Davis.
    • Note: Always be cautious of scams or misleading information when searching for housing online.
  • Campus Map and Transportation
  • The online Campus Map available via this link.
    Please note that the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering is housed in Ghausi Hall. TAPS is the UC Davis Transportation Services. Parking permits (yes – campus does ticket!), driving, and bicycling information can be found on their website.
    Graduate Studies also has some transportation information as well.
    The UC Davis Bus System is called Unitrans. It has routes throughout Davis, and cost $1.25 for a one ride fare. Discounted passes are available.
  • Get a Free Bike Helmet!
  • You are in graduate school and investing a lot of time, money, and energy into your brain.  Protect it!  Take a short training and sign a pledge with Helmet Hair Don't Care! and get a FREE helmet

Funding

Visit our Student Funding Page

Campus Resources

Still have questions?

  • First point of contact - Graduate Program Coordinator

  • Please contact the Graduate Program Coordinator for CEE, Lauren Worrell

    Lauren Worrell's contact information:
    Email: lkworrell@ucdavis.edu
    Office phone: 530-752-1441
    Office: 2007 Ghausi Hall (in office/remote days will vary)
    Walk-ins also available if door is open.

    If the direct link for the appointments doesn’t work, you can visit: https://appointments.ucdavis.edu/default.aspx then select “Civil and Environmental Engineering” from “All Offices” Then click on "Graduate Civil and Env. Eng. Advising"

  • Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • Find information about your other CEE support on our Current Student Page
  • Specialized Information
  • There are many offices on campus that have expert knowledge in their respective area. You are always welcome to start with the Graduate Program Coordinator, but if you have a specific question you might be referred to a different campus office.