<p>The New Student Orientation packet has so many applications for programs. The work required to apply reminds me of college apps. Which of these is most wortwhile or gives greatest benefit for the least work for someone in SFS?
Young Leaders in Education About Diversity (3 short answer, essay about picture), First-Year Orientation to Community Involvement (3 short answer and 2 essays), Emerging Leaders Program (5 short answer), Living-Learning Community (250 word essay, recommendation), Leadership and Beyond (5 short answer)?</p>
<p>I did FOCI (First year orientation to community involvement) and it was the best thing I could have ever done-seriously, this sounds unbelievable but I don't know where I would be without it. As an SFS student it changed my career path from government stuff to humanitarian stuff. After FOCI you will have 40 people you are friends with before orientation even starts, and you will know the greatest upper classmen at Georgetown, who can help you through your first year and be friends with you forever. I doubt I will recommend anything so highly again in my life.</p>
<p>I didn't do any of them, because I thought I didn't neeed them, and I felt like I wanted to spend as much time at home as possible. I sometimes regret that decision, everyone I know has completely LOVED these programs, if one sounds interesting I would totally do it. It is a great experience. Emerging Leaders and FOCI are the two from which I have heard the most good things. Highly recomended, even though I ddiin't do them, so I don't blame you if you don't take my word for it. i just got a hint of nostalgia from when I got my NSO package (tear) it was so great! Good luck! HOYA SAXA!</p>
<p>But all the people I know who did FOCI loved it, and since a couple of them lived on my floor I got to know many more through them and they were all very cool people so...yea aparently FOCI = good.</p>
<p>Is FOCI very religious driven? They made it sound like it was mainly for Jesuits looking to get involved. I'm agnostic, so I think it would be kind of awkward if it had the "youth group" type atmosphere.</p>
<p>It isn't remotely religious, I don't remember a single mention of religion, and I know many people in FOCI weren't religious either. They mention jesuits probably because part of the jesuit philosophy is "serving others" and the community, so one of the reasons that service is so important to the school is because it is connected to the jesuit philosophy in that respect, but service itself is conducted in very secular way.</p>
<p>YLEAD is great because it will introduce you to a variety of different clubs and organizations both on campus and in the DC area. It's a great way to start your involvement in Georgetown by finding out whta the big issues on campus are.</p>
<p>The only thing is, many programs seem rather similar, e.g. Leadership & Beyond, YLEAD, Emerging Leaders. FOCI is also community service. In actuality, are they? I'm trying not to repeat myself when they ask to define leadership and whatnot (for EL and L&B).</p>
<p>jude<em>wang</em>us: I agree! It actually seems to be more work than college apps cause you can't simply recycle essays :P</p>
<p>anyone signing up for GOPOP?</p>
<p>Doesn't GO-POP cost like 700 bucks to participate in? What about the other preorientation programs, do those charge as well?</p>
<p>For IPO, it says there's a $100 participant fee, and for Outdoor Adventure (different from GOPOP I guess) it's $300 something plus renting stuff..</p>
<p>Quick question
For e.g. Leadership & Beyond and Y-LEAD, the forms say "My signature below indicates my commitment to the program in its entirety." So does this mean it's binding, as in you MUST be a part of the program after being accepted? (Could you decide later on you don't want to do it or drop out? I know this sounds pessimistic, but trying to imagine the worst, changing-your-mind-multiple-times scenario :P) Don't you guys think that line makes it sound so scary? (Why wouldn't the other forms have it?)</p>
<p>every body do IPO...its the best pre orientation program...if you have any international blood...do it...</p>