Incoming Transfer Students
Welcome to the Department of Political Science and to UC San Diego!
We are excited for you to be part of our growing Department and the university, and want to make sure you make the most out of your time as a college student.
Review the sections below to see how you can have a successful junior year and beyond!
Now
- Accept your admission to UC San Diego!
- Review UCSD's New Triton website
- Familiarize yourself with the Department of Political Science website
- Consider whether taking Summer Session classes is the right choice for you
- Watch our Department's Virtual Transfer Triton Day video, led by the Department's Undergraduate Advisor, Natalie Ikker:
This Summer (July/August/Early September)
- Set up your new Triton Advising (NTA) site, review enrollment recommendations, and ask clarifying questions
- Register for any Placement Exams that you may need to complete.
- Register for your College Orientation
- Register for the Department of Political Science Transfer Orientation. Invites are sent vis email in early July; the Orientation is almost always held early-mid August.
- Enroll in Fall classes; this usually occurs beginning late August through early September.
- Think about your next steps as a Political Science student:
- What internships opportunities do you want to partake in?
- Are you interested in research?
- Do you want to partake in opportunities on campus, off-campus, or both?
- Is Study Abroad, UCDC, UCCS, and other programs on your to-do list as a student?
Fall Quarter
- Attend Fall classes and Office Hours for your faculty and TAs
- Get involved on campus (Political Science Student Association meetings are a great place to start!)
- Meet with your advising team (Department and college)
- Attend and Department Undergraduate Professional Development Workshops you may find interesting
- Connect with the Triton Transfer Hub for continous peer and programmatic support throughout your time at UCSD as a transfer student
- Take initiative to move forward with the opportunities you want to take part in, such as:
- Study Abroad
- UC Center Sacramento or UCDC Programs
- Research Apprenticeship Program and/or Independent Study
- Preparing for the Senior Honors Program
- Securing an internship opportunity listed by the department, related to law and politics, or through the Academic Internship Program
- And more!
Winter & Spring Quarter
- Work toward completing any remaining lower division coursework for your major and continue enrolling in upper division coursework for your major requirements.
- Continue moving forward with the opportunities you want to take part in the upcoming academic years.
- Keep your eye out for Department and campus workshops you might find value in attending
- Explore minoring or double majoring in an area of interest to you
- Continue meeting with your Department and College advisor to make sure you are staying on track.
- Start visiting the Career Services Center to begin your college-to-career exploration and journey.
- Continue staying connected to the Triton Transfer Hub support system
Senior Year & Beyond
- Don't be afraid to ask for help from advisors, faculty, TAs, and campus services
- Continue meeting with your Department and College advisor to make sure you are staying on track.
- Continue meeting with Career Service Center advisors to help you navigate career resources and tools to prepare you for the workforce or graduate programs
- Continue staying connected to the Triton Transfer Hub support system
- Find extracurricular activities that bring you joy and a sense of community
- Plan ahead, plan accurately, but still be flexible to changes in plans and interests
- Continue finding and taking part in opportunities that develop you personally, academically, and professionally
Transfer Tips from Academic Advisors - 2020
The Triton Transfer Hub was joined by advisors from Computer Science & Engineering, International Studies Program, and Political Science for an advising Q&A. Questions pertaining to double majoring, minoring, and reaching out to advisors, and transfer connection were just some of the topics addressed in this session.