<p>Does anyone know if we get course books before orientation?</p>
<p>bump
anyone?</p>
<p>You probably won’t be certain exactly which courses and sections you are taking until after you meet with your advisor and take the placement tests at orientation. Some time in August you will be able to access your virtual “book bag” through the NYU Bookstore website. That link will provide you with a list of all the books/manuals the instructors have requested for the courses and sections you have signed up for. Some students purchase their books in advance of arriving at NYU, others purchase them from the bookstore during Welcome Week. Many students prefer to wait until after the first day of class so they can check the syllabus for the order in which the books will be needed, and also to make sure they aren’t going to drop the class, switch sections, etc. One negative of ordering your books in advance is that you will then have to transport them to NYU, so if you are flying that is probably not a viable option. My daughter has had good results ordering used books from Half.com, Amazon.com and other online discount book sites. The NYU bookstore also has used books, as does The Strand Bookstore near Union Square.</p>
<p>What are the placement tests? Didn’t know we have to take any tests after we’re accepted.</p>
<p>I’m not sure what the placement test requirements and options are for schools other than CAS, but for CAS you can take them to test out of Quantitative Reasoning and the foreign language requirement (even if you don’t have the appropriate AP’s) and to determine your appropriate level for calculus, chemistry and biology. Here is the advising/placement test link from the CAS Summer Orientation website. It should answer all your questions: [NYU</a> | CAS | Freshman Orientation | Important Information about Placement/Proficiency Examinations](<a href=“http://www.nyu.edu/cas/orientation/placement.html]NYU”>http://www.nyu.edu/cas/orientation/placement.html)</p>
<p>Am I required to participate in orientation program?</p>
<p>As CASmom stated, a lot of students wait till they start class before getting their books. Some professors will let you know what books you need and what books they won’t be using. Sometimes you buy a 200 dollar textbook and realize you can easily get the notes from blackboard or don’t need it. Also the NYU bookstore is overpriced. You can get books from upperclassmen or buy online.</p>
<p>Olzhas if you are a CAS student yes orientation is mandatory.</p>
<p>If you are a Stern student there is a one-day optional orientation in June, then a mandatory orientation during Welcome Week.</p>
<p>Sorry i meant a book that lists all of the possible courses that are available to take and descriptions of them, not textbooks.</p>
<p>Sorry. I misunderstood what you were asking for. Although NYU has stopped publishing a printed version of their course bulletin there are several places where you can find that information on their website. For the MAP course descriptions check out this link from the CAS Morse Academic Plan link:
[New</a> York University > College of Arts and Science > MAP](<a href=“NYU”>NYU)</p>
<p>For CAS courses specific to a major you need to click on the “Course Offerings” link for the department you are interested in. For the Chemistry department, for example, go to the “Schools” link on the top of the NYU home page and click College of Arts and Sciences"; from the right side of the page click “Departments and Programs”; under the Departments heading click “Chemistry”; from the left column of options click “Undergraduate Studies”; then click “Course Offerings” under the Core Information heading. This should bring up a description of the main courses offered by that department. Remember though, that not all courses listed there are necessarily offered every semester. To see which courses are being offered in the various CAS departments for Fall 2010 go back to the NYU homepage and click on “Registrar” under the Quick Links heading; from the left column click “Course Search”; then click, in order, Fall 2010, undergraduate and College of Arts & Sciences; select the appropriate department from the menu; click on “Get Course Listings” at the bottom. This should bring up all the courses and sections being offered in the fall for whatever department you chose. MAP courses and sections are listed under Morse Academic Plan. If you click on the course number, V55.xxxx, you should get a brief description of the course content. Don’t worry that most of the course sections say “Closed”. They aren’t really closed, they are on hold for the various summer orientation sessions. It’s my understanding that they hold a certain number of spots in each section for each of the orientation sessions so that the students attending the later sessions are not at a disadvantage. </p>
<p>It’s also a good idea to check out the CAS Bulletin which lists the main course offerings by department and all the general rules and regulations of NYU, as well as those specific to CAS. Here is that link: [NYU</a> > A & S > CAS Bulletin](<a href=“http://cas.nyu.edu/page/ug.Bulletin.0810]NYU”>http://cas.nyu.edu/page/ug.Bulletin.0810)</p>
<p>To further clarify, the various Writing the Essay course offerings/sections are listed under “Expository Writing” on the Registrar’s site. Counterintuitively, you cannot actually register using the Registrar link. All registration is done through the ALBERT system, and only after you have been cleared by your advisor. Nevertheless, the Registrar link is a great way to “window shop” courses, sections and times and to try to create a set of potential schedules that might work for you. It will help you be better prepared for summer orientation advisement.</p>