<p>I guess I'll go ahead and start this year's obligatory CTOPS thread. Does anyone have any advice, helpful hints, or otherwise hilarious or frustrating stories to tell? I'm sure all future students will be grateful. Thanks!</p>
<p>This doesn’t exactly answer your question, but when is everyone going? :] I’m scheduled for June 28th and 29th.</p>
<p>im going June 3rd and 4th</p>
<p>tarheel151 – Me too! I wanted to go the first one available.</p>
<p>Does anyone know if you need your final transcript at CTOPs? How is class sign up work? I know they reserve class space for each ctops but I don’t quite understand the whole thing…</p>
<p>i signed up for the first one for the outside possibility of having more classes to choose from.</p>
<p>Sorry to disappoint…going to an earlier CTOPS doesn’t give you any extra chance of getting into classes. All classes have a specific number of openings for each CTOPS session.</p>
<p>Well, my bubble is burst. lol ;)</p>
<p>So, CTOPS is your first step into Carolina. As mentioned above, you do not have any advantage going in earlier. In fact, the best time to go in may be after you have received your AP scores. Don’t stress about getting into classes because there is a lot of movement in the first couple of days. And although some of the sessions are fun, don’t be afraid to skip on some of the basic ones. </p>
<p>Take advantage of the chance you have to meet new people. I didn’t really make any friends at CTOPS because I was kind of anti-social. My fault completely. So go ahead and put yourself out there and try to make friends. Don’t be worried about it because everyone there is eager to meet new people.</p>
<p>My “S” is doing CTOPS 1st session only because he is traveling abroad and wanted to get it done. Orientation did agree there are a “certain amount of sections” kept open for each CTOPS sessions. However, my “D” found that her friends had trouble with later sessions with the more “popular” courses full.</p>
<p>AP scores are usually available by mid-July by mail. You can “call” on July 1st and get a verbal result (you have to pay extra), but I don’t hink UNC will allow a verbal for course credit/placement. That’s the reason UNC requires a “language placement test” and the SAT II Math test before you come to CTOPS - too many AP scores are not available for most of the CTOPS sessions.</p>
<p>Agree not to “sweat it” about the CTOPS/AP issue - I’m sure you be able to get a “workable” schedule your 1st semester. I’m sure if you sign up for a course which you end up getting credit for with AP scores, you can drop and add something else as stated above in the first few days.</p>
<p>We’re just 'hoping" the advising system improves compared to the last few years - UNC’s curriculum requirements are very complex.</p>
<p>There is a general negative feeling about advising at UNC, but I think things are going to get better starting this year. The new curriculum will finally effect all students. Part of the problem has been hiring new advisors who had to learn two systems, the requirements before and after 2006. Everyone at Carolina starting with the class of 2014 will have the same requirements.</p>
<p>I’ve never had a problem with advising though. My advisor is actually one of my favorite people at Carolina. Although I think a lot of people do not know/take advantage of departmental advisors. They are usually a lot better to talk to in terms of course planning for your major.</p>