<p>So today my friend (who's attending dartmouth in the fall) was telling me about how 1/2 of their incoming class will be doing pre-orientation programs and that if they didn't, they'd regret it b/c it's great way to start socializing earlier... apparently, it's a huge thing at dartmouth.</p>
<p>Are pre-orientation programs @ columbia as big a deal? How many people typically attend? I'd be up for doing one, but I'm on the west coast, and it's complicated enough as it is to move and have my parents stay for orientation, etc.. thanks!</p>
<p>at columbia 50-60 kids do cue and 200-400 do coop, so it’s not 50% but it’s ~20-30%. You absolutely should do one of them both are phenomenal in their own way. If you want to get a crash course in social issues, learn a little about the community and go around the city cue is the way to go. If you want to go on rowing/hiking/biking trip and bond with fellow freshman (great bonding opportunity and really fun) then go for coop. COOP doesn’t have a cap on how many can do it, applying to cue doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get in. But either is an awesome way to start columbia.</p>
<p>I’ve heard from current students, WikiCU, Spec, and even Bwog, that you’ll miss out if you don’t go on COOP (or presumably, CUE). I’m dying to meet Columbians, so I’ll probably do COBOP. But obviously there will be a ton of people who don’t do it either. Will it be a great experience you’ll never forget that will probably ease your transition to college? Absolutely. But will you be a social pariah if you choose not to do it? Of course not.</p>