This page has been updated for Spring 2025 and covers basic policies for the Golden Bear Experience, which includes Golden Bear Advising, Golden Bear Prep, and Golden Bear Orientation. Updates will be made here and communicated via email as plans are solidified for GBO programming.
Updated October 28, 2024 to reflect UCEAP student expectations
Participation Requirements
- Participation for all newly admitted undergraduate students is required for Golden Bear Advising, Golden Bear Prep, and Golden Bear Orientation. There are elements of each which are mandatory for each student; that is, not completing them can adversely affect your enrollment at UC Berkeley. Note: Any event that is tied to your enrollment will be clearly identified.
- Spring 2025 Golden Bear Orientation will occur in person. See below for details on how the program will be adapted to meet unique needs, accommodations, and the exemption process.
- See the GBO Sample Schedule for details about the overall schedule, including a breakdown of virtual and in person events.
- Each component of Golden Bear Orientation is designed to help your transition to Berkeley.
Student Needs for Spring 2025 Golden Bear Orientation
Participation in GBO is integral to your successful transition to UC Berkeley. However, there are circumstances that could be a barrier to your successful participation — not only in GBO but also in engagement with classes and community building throughout the year. We have identified a variety of barriers but this is not an exhaustive list:
- dependent/child care
- illness (yours or others in your household)
- COVID-19 isolation or quarantine order
- unexpected family emergencies
- active military duty
- financial hardship, if there is a need to take time away from full-time employment
- accessibility (physical, religious, alternate media, etc.)
- access to technology
- international visa concerns
- COVID-19 vaccine policy compliance
Important Note: Please reach out to our office if you have any questions about what constitutes a barrier to your participation.
Spring 2025 GBO Student Needs Questionnaire: Accommodations, Exemptions and Unique Experiences
Please fill out the Golden Bear Orientation Spring 2025: Exemption and Accommodations Form if you have extenuating circumstances preventing you from engaging during GBO in person. Our goal is to help you navigate not only GBO, but also all of Berkeley. We ask that you use this form to notify New Student Services as soon as possible so our team has time to find the best solutions to meet your needs.
Key Deadline: In order to be approved for an exemption from in person GBO programming, you must submit the above form by Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
Exceptions: There may be exceptional circumstances that arise after that date. If this is the case, please reach out to New Student Services via email (nss@berkeley.edu).
Once you’ve submitted the form, our team will work with you individually to work on possible solutions. We recognize that, if there are barriers to your participation in GBO, these barriers will likely impact your entire Berkeley experience.
We often find that UC Berkeley students, while advocates of those around them, do not always advocate for themselves, feel like they can ask for support, and/or know what support may be available. We encourage you to share what you are experiencing (if you feel comfortable), even if other environments have not made adjustments for your circumstances because we are committed to your transition to UC Berkeley.
Fees & Payments
The New Student Programming Fee (NSPF) covers expenses related to Golden Bear Advising, Golden Bear Prep, Golden Bear Orientation, and Getting your Bearings. You will be assessed a fee on your first semester CalCentral bill. The New Student Programming Fee is $475 for incoming Fall 2024 undergraduates ($320 for UCEAP students) and $300 for incoming Spring 2025 undergraduates ($200 for UCEAP students). Those who receive a full exemption will have the New Student Programming Fee removed.
As orientation is mandatory for all new undergraduate students, so is the fee. If applicable, look to your financial aid package to see if this fee will be covered by financial aid in the form of the “New Student Grant.” If you have financial concerns related to the New Student Programming Fee, please complete the Golden Bear Orientation Spring 2025: Exemption and Accommodations form. The programming fee covers:
- Golden Bear Advising and Golden Bear Prep pre-arrival modules
- Golden Bear Orientation programming (no additional funds will be needed to participate in any part of the GBO program)
- Getting Your Bearings programming
- Please refer to our Office of the Registrar Tuition & Fees page for more details on student fees.
UCEAP Student Participation
UCEAP students are no longer required to attend Golden Bear Orientation (GBO) but are invited to opt into participation in the two day, in person GBO January 16-17, 2025. This change was made to reflect the unique needs of UCEAP students studying at Berkeley.
UCEAP students can opt into attending Golden Bear Orientation (GBO) in person by completing the Spring 2025 UCEAP GBO Opt-In Form by the deadline of December 17, 2024. Note that this form requires you to be logged into your UC Berkeley email account (bMail). See the EAP GBO Sample Schedule to learn more about the program. Submission of the Spring 2025 UCEAP GBO Opt-In Form will provide full access to the two-day program and require payment of the EAP New Student Programming Fee of $200.
Requests to opt into the program after December 17, 2024 will be reviewed on a case by case basis and will require participants to pay the EAP New Student Programming Fee of $200.
UCEAP students will still receive Golden Bear Prep International, an online module meant to introduce students to life outside the classroom prior to arriving on campus and will be invited to attend the Virtual EAP Orientation with Berkeley International Office (BIO) on Friday, January 17, 2025 from 9:30am-12:30pm PST regardless of if they choose to opt into attending GBO in person.
Questions? Reach out to New Student Services via email (nss@berkeley.edu) and our team will help your transition to UC Berkeley.