UCLA Packing List Essentials: A Comprehensive Guide for New Bruins

Moving to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a significant milestone, filled with excitement and new opportunities. Whether you're a freshman or a transfer student, arriving prepared can make your transition smoother and more enjoyable. This guide provides a comprehensive UCLA packing list, covering everything from essential items to helpful tips for navigating campus life.

Housing Options and Considerations

Before diving into the packing list, it's crucial to understand UCLA's housing options. Unlike some universities, UCLA doesn't require freshmen to live in dorms, offering both on-campus and off-campus choices.

On-Campus Living

UCLA Housing offers contracts for various durations: 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 12 weeks. Keep in mind that housing offered through UCLA Housing is not designed for high school students, and will therefore provide no residential/evening activities, no curfew, and no supervision outside of the general housing staff who are assigned to each residential hall.

Once you sign a housing contract, UCLA Housing will provide details of your check-in and check-out times, as well as roommate assignments.

Off-Campus Living

For those seeking more independence, UCLA offers furnished University Apartments near campus. To be eligible for University Apartments, students must be 18 years of age or older by June 22, 2026. If you opt for off-campus living, consider factors like parking, building access, and the potential need for movers.

Summer Housing

It's important to note that there are no residential programs or housing offered through UCLA Summer Sessions. Housing is ONLY available through UCLA Housing to students who will be 17 years of age or older by June 22, 2026. If you are 17+ and enrolled in a Summer Course, SCIP, or Summer Precollege Focus Series, you may apply for housing through the UCLA Housing application which opens in mid-May.

Essential Packing List

A well-organized checklist is essential for ensuring you have everything you need. Here's a breakdown of essential items for UCLA students:

Academic Essentials

Laptop or Tablet: Essential for taking notes, completing assignments, and accessing online resources. If you choose to bring an electronic device(s), we strongly recommend documenting the serial number to prove ownership in the event of a lost and recovered device.
Notebooks and Binders: For organizing notes and handouts.
Pens, Pencils, and Highlighters: Stock up on writing supplies for lectures and study sessions.
Textbooks and Course Materials: Obtain required textbooks and materials before classes start.
Backpack or Messenger Bag: To carry books and supplies around campus.
Calculator: For math and science courses.
Desk Lamp: Provides adequate lighting for studying in your dorm room.
Planner or Calendar: To keep track of assignments, deadlines, and extracurricular activities.

Personal Care and Hygiene

Toiletries: Shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, and other personal care items.
Towels and Washcloths: For showering and drying off.
Shower Caddy: To carry toiletries to and from the bathroom.
Flip-Flops or Shower Shoes: To wear in communal showers.
First-Aid Kit: Include bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and any personal medications.
Hand Sanitizer: To maintain hygiene on campus.
Face Masks: Especially important for navigating crowded spaces.

Clothing and Accessories

Everyday Clothing: Comfortable and versatile clothing suitable for warm weather.
Sweaters or Jackets: For cooler evenings or air-conditioned classrooms.
Formal Attire: For presentations, interviews, or special events.
Athletic Wear: If you plan to participate in sports or fitness activities.
Shoes: Comfortable walking shoes, sandals, and athletic shoes.
Socks and Underwear: Stock up on essentials.
Rain Gear: Umbrella or raincoat for unexpected showers.
Hat and Sunglasses: To protect yourself from the sun.

Bedding and Room Essentials

Bedding Set: Including sheets, comforter, pillows, and pillowcases.
Mattress Topper: For added comfort.
Blanket: For extra warmth.
Storage Containers: Maximize space in your dorm room with storage bins and organizers.
Laundry Basket or Bag: For transporting laundry.
Hangers: To hang clothes in the closet.
Trash Can: For disposing of waste.
Cleaning Supplies: To keep your room tidy.

Electronics and Entertainment

Smartphone: To stay connected and access campus resources.
Chargers: For all your electronic devices.
Headphones: For studying or listening to music.
Power Strip: To accommodate multiple devices.
Extension Cord: For reaching outlets that are far away.
Gaming Console or Entertainment Devices: For leisure time.

Miscellaneous Items

Reusable Water Bottle: To stay hydrated on campus.
Snacks: For quick energy boosts between classes.
Reusable Shopping Bags: For groceries and other purchases.
Photos or Decorations: To personalize your dorm room.
Important Documents: Driver's license, passport, insurance cards, and other essential documents.
Emergency Contact Information: Keep a list of important phone numbers and addresses.
BruinCard: Your passport to life at UCLA. It is the primary student identification used at the library, gym, dining halls, campus events, and many more. Starting June 1, you can pick up your BruinCard at the BruinCard Center in 123 Kerckhoff Hall. Note: If this is your first time applying for a BruinCard, you may submit a photo of your choice online.

UCLA-Specific Needs

UCLA’s campus is full of optimism, inspiration, and opportunity for students from a variety of backgrounds during the summer. Explore UCLA’s historic campus, a university with a tradition of academic excellence, a vibrant and diverse student body, and a vast array of resources and opportunities. UCLA’s big and beautiful campus has many buildings to explore and navigate through. This Interactive Map is a useful tool to help you familiarize yourself with campus. UCLA’s main campus is bounded by Sunset Boulevard on the north and Le Conte Avenue on the south; the east border is Hilgard Avenue and the west border is Gayley Avenue. You can locate UCLA by Zip code (90095) or by street address (405 Hilgard Avenue).

Given UCLA's expansive campus and sunny climate, consider these UCLA-specific needs:

Bike, Skateboard, or Scooter: UCLA, like Los Angeles itself, is a big, sprawling campus. As we mentioned earlier, bikes and skateboards are must-haves for quickly getting round. But for larger commutes, we recommend acquiring a Transit Pass. This is available to students without a vehicle, and gives access to all the bus a rail lines that go through L.A.
Sunscreen: Protect your skin from the California sun.
Comfortable Walking Shoes: You'll be doing a lot of walking on campus.
Swimsuit: For enjoying the campus pools or nearby beaches.

Packing and Moving Tips

Start Early: Begin packing well in advance to avoid last-minute stress.
Make a List: Use a checklist to ensure you don't forget anything.
Pack Strategically: Maximize space by rolling clothes and using vacuum-sealed bags.
Label Everything: Clearly label boxes with their contents and destination.
Coordinate with Roommates: Communicate with your roommates to avoid duplicates.
Consider Collegeboxes: Collegeboxes takes the stress out of moving by offering packing kits, shipping services, and convenient storage options, making the entire process easier for both students and families. Collegeboxes by U-Haul is a great way to save money.

Navigating Campus Life

Familiarizing yourself with UCLA's campus layout is crucial for a smooth transition. With its expansive grounds and numerous buildings, getting to know the campus will help you navigate more easily.

Read also: Navigating Tech Breadth at UCLA

Campus Resources

UCLA has allocated several resources for your success while you are studying with us over the summer.

UCLA Police Department (UCPD): Offers evening walking escort on campus (310-794-WALK). Students can report safety concerns or any suspicious activities/behavior to UCPD at 310-825-1491. Residential participants will be assigned to residential halls with 24-hour front desk service, surveillance cameras, and key-access entry.
Ackerman Student Union: Located in the heart of campus, Ackerman Student Union is the center of student life.
UCLA Recreation: UCLA Recreation is committed to providing high-quality recreational experiences that benefit the campus community. Recreation provides extensive access to a broad range of recreational activities and services at various facilities across campus. The Wooden Center is the UCLA campus gym.
Cultural Attractions: A tour of all the UCLA museums and art galleries will take you from the corner of Wilshire and Westwood Boulevards to the northeast corner of the campus. The Fowler Museum is ranked among the top non-western art museums worldwide. The Mildred E. The seven-acre Mathias Botanical Garden is located in the southeast corner of the campus and contains five thousand species of native and exotic plants. Tickets for all UCLA cultural events are available at the Central Ticket Office (CTO).

Dining Options

UCLA is home to a variety of dining halls and on-campus restaurants. Many of which are highly rated. For example, the Hill is home to a handful of options for a quick bite to eat, such as Epicuria, Bruin Café, the Spice Kitchen at Feast, and more. There are also dining options at De Neve Plaza, LuValle Commons, and Hendrick Hall.

Campus Events

One of the best ways to get acquainted with life at UCLA is to take part in the numerous events taking place after move-in day. “True Bruin Welcome” in particular hosts dozens of events specifically geared toward helping new Bruins get familiar with UCLA and help make friends.

Transportation

If arriving to UCLA by plane, you will need to arrange your own transportation to campus. LAX is the closest airport to UCLA, approximately 13 miles away. For a list of ground transportation options to/from LAX and campus, visit the LAX Ground Transportation webpage.

Summer Sessions parking permits will be available beginning May 30 on a first-come, first-served basis. Students have the option to purchase a summer term permit or a daily permit. Please review the Transportation and Parking Services web page and read the “Summer Quarter Parking (All Students)” section for more information on all permit types, including cost.

Read also: Understanding UCLA Counselors

Health and Insurance

The UC Student Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) is available to registered UC students only. If you are a continuing UCLA student and have purchased UC SHIP for Spring 2024, your UC SHIP coverage continues through September 2024 (End date TBD); if you have purchased BruinCare for Spring 2024, your BruinCare coverage ends on June 2024 (End date TBD). If you are a visiting international student receiving an I-20 from UCLA for participation in Summer Sessions, you will be enrolled in a two-part health insurance plan. Prior to your arrival to UCLA, you are expected to have consulted with your healthcare providers with regard to any individual medical, physical, or mental health needs.

Important Reminders

Lost Items: Your sole responsibility is to keep track of all your belongings; we are not responsible for lost items.
Program Attendance: SCIP and Precollege Summer Focus Series attendance for academic programming, co-curricular events, and team-building extracurricular activities, unless otherwise specified, is mandatory.
Off-Campus Trips: Off-campus trips that are not part of either official programming or part of residential activities are only permitted when they do not interfere with scheduled activities and are done safely. Any requests to leave campus or the program at any time for precollege high school students must be made well in advance of any planned absence by parents/guardians, and are subject to university approval as described in the Supervision and Curfew section on this page.

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