<p>$295 plus a round-trip plane ticket from Chicago to New York is a lot of money for a three day venture, so I don't know if I will be able to attend any of the orientation sessions during the summer. My parents wanted me to consider taking Session F, the one that occurs during Welcome Week. So, to anyone who has participated in this session or just has some input: what are the disadvantages of participating in Session F during Welcome Week? Thanks.</p>
<p>Orientation, honestly, was a lot of fun. I know that sounds like a really stupid reason to shell out that kind of money, but they UOL's really do a great job of getting you adjusted to the school, meeting other people, and getting to know the school more academically.. all without cheesiness. You're allowed to go out at night (I know Steinhardt isn't.. which was weird), and you get to stay in the dorms.</p>
<p>You meet people at orientation that everyone tends to meet up with Welcome Week. Now that doesn't mean you would be friendless or anything at all.. it's just that some people feel a little more comfortable coming into a place as daunting as NYC with at least a few familiar faces.</p>
<p>However, the most important part is scheduling. Yes - they do reserve spots for freshman in every section - so you will most likely get every class you want. MAP classes are mostly what you'd take anyway, plus WTE and maybe an elective. But.. a lot of poeple in section F got screwed for times. No, 9:30 is not horrible, but if you're an afternoon person, or are just looking for an ideal schedule.. it is much better to go to a summer session. Also, and I was the first orientation plus a trustee scholar, my first choice Freshman Honors Seminar closed (first day!) So, if you were interested in taking an honors seminar, many of the good ones won't be left by F.</p>
<p>All in all, you will not be screwed, or even heavily disadvantaged by F. I know the money burden, and its a huge factor. But if you value making a few friends, really getting to know the city the way you will know it for the next four years, and getting ideal class times... I would try and go to an earlier one.</p>
<p>I figured that much about the classes--I just hope that can be reason enough to get my parents to pay the fee. Also, I was also thinking: do the orientation activities that I would have to take in Session F get in the way of any Welcome Week activities? I would think that some of the testing/registering takes time, time that is probably used for academic/social activities that I probably don't want to miss out on.</p>
<p>I went to the first orientation last year, and regret it. It seriously doesn't matter that much, so I probably would've done F if I had to do orientation again. Welcome Week activities aren't really that big of a deal. I know as a freshman, you feel like you can't miss out on ANYTHING or you'll be screwd, but they really tend to make you feel like that over things that really don't matter. I'd say go to F</p>