<p>Okay guys, so I'm a CLAS student planning on transferring into E-school by the end of the semester. I was able to get all of the same courses as a normal E-school student for the fall semester and just wanted to make sure that I haven't fallen behind on any requirement that I may not be aware of. I mean something like summer assignments or something that you may have gotten in the mail (since i only get stuff from CLAS). Just wanted to make sure. Thanks!</p>
<p>E School students had to finish reading a book this summer. I forget the name, but it has something to do with Mars.</p>
<p>The book was Packing for Mars by Mary Roach.</p>
<p>[U.Va</a>. Engineering Common Reading Experience](<a href=“http://www.seas.virginia.edu/acad/cre/]U.Va”>http://www.seas.virginia.edu/acad/cre/)</p>
<p>Does anybody actually read it?</p>
<p>It’s required. There are supposed to be discussions and the like. I think some of them are out of class, so I don’t know if this will affect the op if he isn’t already in seas.</p>
<p>The CRE works by assigning a book to students over the summer. You are supposed to read that book and attend a discussion section led by a faculty member (professor or usually Teaching Assistant). While it is a guided discussion, the direction it takes is largely guided by the students (depending on how willing they are to participate). Unless something has changed drastically in the past two years, there is only one official discussion affiliated with the CRE, and it is not a requirement for graduation.</p>
<p>With that being said, I would recommend reading the book, as you may find your peers referencing it in class discussions (this happened frequently with the CRE book my year, “Tipping Points” by Malcolm Gladwell).</p>
<p>I transferred to the e-school (did the same thing as you – registered for engineering classes first semester first year), but I didn’t know about the CRE, didn’t participate, and it wasn’t a problem. You can do it if you’d like, but don’t worry about it if you don’t</p>