<p>My daughter will be attending Maryland in the fall. We are struggling with picking a date for her freshmen orientation. New Jersey schools dont end until mid June. Is it true that registration for the fall semester is done during origination and the earlier the session the better selection of classes?</p>
<p>My daughter is in the same position. We signed up for the July 25 and 26th orientation. I inquired about class availablilty etc. due to the late date. Admissions said core and freshman classes are “time released” throughout the summer. So, hopefully that is true…</p>
<p>I live in San Diego and I am going to the orientation at the end of June. Admissions told me the same about classes and registration.</p>
<p>Additional sections of many core and “freshman” courses are opened as needed throughout the semester. However, the times may not be as optimal as would be preferred. Registration is done at orientation, and students must attend orientation. If for some reason you cannot attend throughout the summer dates, there are also late sessions offered in August (1-day sessions where you can register) before classes start.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that there are a LOT of schedule changes during the first week or so of classes. It will NOT be the end of the world if you have to be waitlisted for a class…you just need to be sure about checking the waitlist, and making sure you are diligent about managing your spot on the waitlists. Many times, especially for large sections, students can get the permission of the prof to attend the first few classes, even if they are still on the waitlist, so that they don’t miss any material before they clear the waitlist. Similarly, after you register, you will have the opportunity to change your schedule…it’s just that the options will become less and less as it gets closer to school. </p>
<p>Also, please read all the orientation info that is sent to you (and is available online) before you attend…Make sure you bring with you what they recommend in terms of materials (a transcript is always a nice thing to have in hand), take the math online test before you show up, and do yourself a favor and look at the online catalog and schedule in Testudo before you go. The more work you do ahead of time, the less overwhelmed you will be at Orientation. It has always amazed me how many students show up at Orientation with absolutely no clue about how math placement works, what courses they will need (or want) to take, etc. The more prepared you can be, the more successful the process will be for you. </p>
<p>If your parents are the inquisitive type, please make sure they look at all the stuff ahead of time, too…most of their questions about classes, math placement, etc. is all online. Make sure you have the parking pass and your pillow/sleeping bag/ etc. (That will save my D in the orientation office the time of listening to annoyed parents who complain that no one ever told them that the students needed these things!!!). Parents, if you feel the need to have input on what courses your student takes, discuss it in advance with them before they go to orientation. You will not be there with them when they register (and please don’t ask or complain about it!!!)</p>
<p>;)</p>
<p>Are there separate sessions for parents and students?</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for the quick replies… Especially astrophysicsmom for the detailed information and advice.</p>
<p>doctorate – Parents and students have separate programs. Orientation is mandatory for all incoming students, but the parent one is completely optional.</p>
<p>Many/most parents will find value in the sessions on the first day. They give you an idea of what things will be like for your student, and are designed to address questions you have, etc. It also helps to talk to other parents who are going through the same things you are. There are a lot of different presentations/programs from many different people, and you will likely find it to be a long day with nearly information overload. The second day activity choices for parents are purely optional, and offer the chance to see more of the campus or of the area in general. DC tours and Annapolis tours are very popular. Mainly, they give the parents something fun to do while their students are doing all the registration stuff. I chose to hang out and do my own thing around the area, but especially if it is one parent on their own, it is something fun to do for most of the day before you meet back up with your student when they are finished.</p>
<p>It’s true that you’ll have limited class choices later in teh summer, but as a freshman, your choices will be very limited anyway. You’re going to get 8 AMs because the other students have been registered for a month now. But you will get into the classes you NEED. The time just might not be ideal. </p>
<p>astrophysicsmom–My mom loved that student orientation went two days while parents went once. She stayed in a hotel room by herself for the first time in nearly twenty years. She also told me it was her first child free night, save for a weekend vacation she took with her sister a few years before, since I was born. (I’m the oldest of four children, 3 of us born within 4 years) So when I asked her what she did, she said “Nothing” and was completely overjoyed by it.</p>