<p>This summer I have a lot on my plate. I'm travelling out of the country on June 12th and the orientation session for June 6-8 is already filled. Is it really necessary to go to Freshman Orientation? (Well, I know it's optional but will I miss out on a lot of information?) </p>
<p>Should I call admissions and see if they can make room for one more on the June 6-8 orientation? I will not be back until two weeks before school starts...</p>
<p>What would you do in my case? I'm in the School of Undergrad Studies by the way.</p>
<p>I would call them and see if there is a waitlist for that session and get on it. You can register right before school starts if absolutley necessary.
I do know last year there was a facebook group for the class of 2014 and several were trying to trade registrations dates with each other. You might try that also.</p>
<p>Yeah call them…and if they say no…ask them again. Sometimes UT, you just have to keep asking before they budge. lol And you definitely want to go…I mean it’s crucial to get ‘oriented’ lol. Just so you’re not all like O.O when you move in for the fall. Plus, it’s fun. :)</p>
<p>When Orientation fills up, they generally will not allow “extra space” simply because of room size for the sessions. Orientation can only accommodate so many bodies, and there is also the housing piece, where there are only so many rooms to put orientees in. Adding more people also puts a strain on the size of OA groups (orientation advisors, who are students), so you have to keep all that in mind (if you’re the university) when you think about letting in “extra” people. </p>
<p>You can always schedule a visit to the university and contact a UGS advisor for information–you would be kind of “on your own” when it comes to registering for classes, which would be difficult for you. It depends on your confidence level with registering for classes, which you want to take, etc. I think if you asked for other options, the university would be able to give you information about how to catch up on information if you weren’t able to attend orientation.</p>
<p>UTAustinR is right. You can contact New Student Services (NSS) about possibly gaining a spot in one of the later orientations, but as a summer orientation advisor myself, I can attest to the sheer volume of people that go through each orientation. (Last year it was 1,200 students each session.) I would advise that you go to orientation, though, and I’m not just saying this because I’m an orientation advisor. The programs offered during orientation are very fun, informational, or both! We have a lot of optional programs, such as a campus issues play that deals with common concerns about campus safety and other issues, a comedy show, a midnight prowl tour, etc. Plus, you are able to register at orientation and go to introductory college/school meetings. Orientation helps you become acquainted to the UT campus and also is a great way to meet fellow incoming students! The problem with fall orientation is that you don’t get the same experience as the summer orientation sessions, plus most classes are filled by that time, and it is much more difficult to register. I hope this post assists in your decision!</p>
<p>There will be cancellations and reschedules for the June 6-8 orientation session.</p>
<p>In the past, the updated orientation website was released at 8 am each day to reflect the revised number of openings . Give New Student Services a call at 512-471-3304 and see if this is still the case. If so, get online or have your parents get online every morning at 8 am until a spot opens up.</p>