<p>My orientation is going to be next week and I want all the insight I can get regarding FIGs because I'm on the fence of whether to be in one or not. Comment about anything regarding FIGs. Here's some pros and cons I've heard about them so far..</p>
<p>Pros:
-signing up for classes is easier
-classes with the same people</p>
<p>Cons:
-you have to take some study hall-like class that's pretty pointless where you meet for 1 hour each week? some BS like that
-you have to write evaluational essays and just tedious work in general at times
-FIG is only 12 credits so you have to take another class outside of it to get 15+ credits in a quarter</p>
<p>Con: confined to a class with the same people. Some might not think that’s a con, but that sorta makes it seem like high school to me…I’m here to meet LOTS of new people!</p>
<p>Haha nope. I don’t really see any benefits…? One class I want is reserved for only FIG people, but I easily found another (psychology) that wasn’t full. Idk I guess I just feel like I’ll be around all the same people all the time in my dorm, and I’d rather have the ability to branch out in my classes…if that makes sense.</p>
<p>For sure, my plan is to not take a FIG. I only would if the worst-case scenario happens and all the half full classes I want get full while I’m at orientation and can’t find anything I like.</p>
<p>Btw, when you chose your classes did you choose a variety of classes that cover some of the general ed. requirements? Like for ex, you chose 3 classes and took an I&S, NW, and VLPA. And was there anyone to help you choose classes there? I’m just a bit nervous and don’t want to come in unprepared…</p>
<p>This has been a pretty unanimous thing but just from what I’ve heard, all my friends hated FIGs. Usually the orientation leader assigns busy work like some silly essay. It is a good way to get the classes you want though so if you happen to really like the schedule and all the classes turn out to be ones you really want, go for it but don’t go taking FIGs expecting that having the same classmate in each class is going to be the only way to make friends. You’re going to make friends on your floor for sure as there are tons of social gatherings.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply. And btw, do you have any insight regarding my other question? (end of my last post). Just trying to be really prepared for orientation.</p>
<p>“Btw, when you chose your classes did you choose a variety of classes that cover some of the general ed. requirements? Like for ex, you chose 3 classes and took an I&S, NW, and VLPA. And was there anyone to help you choose classes there? I’m just a bit nervous and don’t want to come in unprepared…”</p>
<p>I think you’re talking about this comment. Well for me I was planning on doing a Comp Engineering major so I went to Loew (where the Engineering Advising is) and did get a counselor and talk about how I should plan my course track. Do you have any idea what you want to major in? You should be covering your main pre-requisites for applying into the major and do your best in them because those are the classes that matter the most. Of course, you should also consider exploring some other classes/majors you might be interested in just in case your major does turn out to be unappealing for whatever reason. </p>
<p>Because every major has some requisites, every major will be lacking in some sort of class type. Engineer majors generally have a lot of I&S classes (math, programming, etc) and NW (science classes depending on the major) but lack a lot of VLPA credit so there might be some incentive to look for some VLPA classes to take early on if you are engineering but its important to focus on the pre-requisite classes first. Those are top priority when applying for your major. If you don’t know your pre-requisite classes for the major you’re interested in, you can look online or visit the counselors. They usually have a sheet that pretty much outlines a simple course track for your 4 years (it’ll say like fall quarter, programming 1, VLPA class, math 124 or something like that).</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply. I definitely haven’t set my mind on any single major, although I have an interest in the business program. And I know that there are general ed. requirements that everybody must fulfill, regardless of your major. Those are the classes that I will be focusing on when I sign up this week.</p>
<p>I ended up signing up in a FIG lol. I was initially very set with the 3 classes I had chosen, but I didn’t meet a single person who didn’t sign up for one and on top of that, all the academic advisers seemed to be against not signing up for one. On the bright side, I won’t be too stressed out my first quarter ever in college because I’m only taking the FIG, no additional classes on top of that. Easy classes too :D.</p>
<ol>
<li>They’re required </li>
<li>They assume everyone has the same academic and work schedule</li>
<li>They assume everyone lives on campus</li>
<li>They assume you know absolutely nothing about Seattle</li>
<li>They assume you have nothing better to do for a day then to write paragraphs about how awesome Seattle is.</li>
</ol>
<p>the fig class is annoying and you meet less people that way since youre stuck with the same bunch. theres weekly homework and some fig leaders like you to write like a page-3 pages a week about how cool seattle is, how your classes are, etc. tuition is a lot next year, make the most of it and take your 15 credits. if youre really nervous about the transition and think that 3 hard classes may be too much, take 1 easier class such as psych 101, a music class, or even a seminar exploring possible majors.</p>
<p>^
That’s why I chose a FIG. I didn’t want to take a super hard course load and I’m already coming in with about 12 credits so I won’t be behind at all. Yeah, I will have to do tedious work for the community class, but whatever I guess. 70% of the Freshmen class will be in a FIG as well, so I won’t be the only one lol.</p>
(it’ll say like fall quarter, programming 1, VLPA class, math 124 or something like that).</p>