iSTART @UCLA

Mandatory iSTART @UCLA:

ISTART @UCLA is a a two-part virtual on-boarding process that includes the following steps: (1) Create a Dashew Account (2) Complete the iSTART Orientation and (3) The Post-Arrival Status Check-In.

This is a mandatory requirement for ALL F-1 and J-1 Students at UCLA, and it is divided in two parts:

(A) iSTART Online Orientation has been created to help you get familiar with important visa regulations, academic integrity, Los Angeles and UCLA campus life. It is mandatory that you complete all sections of the orientation. Each section contains a video and a quiz. You must get a completion certificate in the conclusion of the iSTART Orientation. To complete the iSTART Orientation, please create your Dashew Account and Register for iSTART.
Note:This is separate from the UCLA orientation for First-Year Students, Transfer Students and Graduate Students.

(B) Online Post-Arrival Status Check-In is designed to verify your status and documentation upon your arrival in the U.S. - Dashew Center will email students with instructions on how to complete this step.

You must complete iSTART @UCLA no later than week 2 of your first term at UCLA (refer to UCLA Annual Calendar):

• iSTART Online Orientation: Will be available to you 30 days before your first term start date & it should be completed by the second week of your first term at UCLA.
• Online Post-Arrival Status Check-In: Should be completed from upon your arrival in the U.S. and no later than the second week of your first term at UCLA.

If one of the above are NOT completed by the second week of your first UCLA term, a hold will be placed on your UCLA student record, which will prevent you from using certain UCLA services.

Note: The dates of your first term at UCLA can be different from the regular (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer) term dates. The iSTART Orientation will be available based on the UCLA Calendar dates and an email reminding you to complete iSTART @UCLA will also be sent to you.

iSTART Orientation is a mandatory requirement to:

• Newly admitted​​ degree seeking and registered students only who received an I-20 or DS-2019 from UCLA.
• Continuing UCLA students who previously studied under a different visa category are also required to complete iSTART, (the $59 Orientation Fee will be waived in this case).

Note:​​​​​This is separate from the UCLA orientation for First-Year Students, Transfer Students and Graduate Students.

Exceptions:

• Fulbright students do not need to complete iSTART.
• Returning/Readmit F-1 degree seeking students are not required to complete iSTART again.
• Continuing F-1 students with a change of education level I-20.
• If you are a Visiting Graduate Researcher, scholar or faculty member, you are not required to complete iSTART. You will complete jPATH instead.
• U.S. citizens are not required to complete iSTART.

The Summer Sessions Office will be notifying you with more information on how to complete iSTART.

(Note: iSTART is also mandatory for Summer Session students)