<p>I can't afford to pay for orientation, I'm not even positive I can afford UCSB to be honest, we're still working stuff out with Financial Aid cause things happened and my mom and step-dad are getting a divorce so I live with my mom and brother and my mom doesn't work. Anyway. Am I totally...well...screwed? Am I not going to get any classes? When do I sign up for classes if I don't attend orientation?</p>
<p>Everything's such a mess, I am freaking out. :(</p>
<p>i think there is some sort of orientation on the 23rd of sept or something for students who couldn't attend an orientation session. I don't think they charge for that since it's not a full orientation session and i'm sure they don't give lunch. Don't freak out i'm sure things will work out</p>
<p>Oh okay. It'll be hard to get good classes but the fact that I'll have a chance calms me down a bit, lol. Thank you!</p>
<p>I saw your post and am sorry to hear about your family problems. It's actually not uncommon for parents to divorce when a child heads off to college, but its got to be tough to go thru; you have enough changes as it is!</p>
<p>I hope things work out for you and you can attend UCSB. However if worst comes to worst, there are lower-priced alternatives that give you much of the same 4-year UCSB experience and you end up with a UCSB diploma. Essentially you start off at Santa Barbara City College and take part in the guaranteed transfer program. SBCC is pretty inexpensive, your main costs will be books and housing.</p>
<p>I wrote about it in this forum; see the post <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-santa-barbara/468098-backdoor-way-get-into-ucsb.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-santa-barbara/468098-backdoor-way-get-into-ucsb.html</a> There are lax deadlines to apply to a CC, so if it comes down to this it is still possible. And in Isla Vista you'll always be able to find a room to rent in the fall.</p>
<p>Don't worry about it. My roommate didn't go to orientation b/c she didn't want to. She had no problems. What you should do is instead, when you get there, go to the advising office and tell them your situation. It might not be for a little while, but they'll have a peer advisor eventually tell you what's up. Don't freak out about not getting the classes. I don't know what your major is. If you're a physical science, you should call the department and ask what to do b/c they have a stricter schedule, but if you're any type of BA, you're FINE. 1/3 of your classes is major, 1/3 is GEs, 1/3 is whatever you want, so you won't get off track even if you get into the last picks, and frankly, most big classes that will still be open will fulfill one GE or another. But do make an appointment with an L&S peer advisor (this advice is only for L&S, if you're in CC or engineering, call the departments), b/c they will clear up the basic rules and requirements. DO NOT just listen to your hallmates about it. They will most likely be misinformed about something or another.</p>
<p>Also, if you're worried about money, be a great resident your freshman year, get to know your RA, join hall council, get involved, then apply to be an RA your sophomore years. If you're an RA, you get room and board paid for, plus a little extra in salary, and you could do it for all of your remaining years if you need. Just talk to your RA about it (if you're on hall council, you'll meet the assistant resident director, so chum up to him/her and tell them your situaation) and tell them you want to be RA and ask what will make you the best possible candidate. Once room and board are out of the way, the price is a lot easier to handle.</p>
<p>Hey thanks Gaucho1! That's a good idea.</p>