<p>S is attending the orientation starting today. I am not attending the parent version - I would if it were a single day, but I didn't think I would get much out of a several day version.</p>
<p>Has anyone been? - I know it's early days, but thought I'd ask. I'll post anything noteworthy that he comes back with.</p>
<p>I was told that it would be beneficial to sign up for an early session so you are more likely to get the class sessions you want.</p>
<p>The word I heard about the parent orientation is that it is not worth it.</p>
<p>And I think a bigger advantage to going earlier is you have a better chance of getting the housing you want, particularly if you are interested in a RAP.</p>
<p>Well, he called to give me an update. </p>
<p>He signed up for the engineering rap in May, so he’ll be housing in Northwest; he has his schedule & is psyched - no classes before 10AM (S is not an early riser). </p>
<p>Attended some seminars but was just enjoying wandering around the campus. He sounded happy, so I’m happy too 
I’ll have to grill him more when he gets back…</p>
<p>You must mean Northeast, there is no Northwest. :)</p>
<p>Just a cautionary note - my S didn’t even have Southwest on his list, and that’s where he wound up. He had requested one of the RAPs in May after he completed the Math test, then at orientation (towards the end of June) he had to fill out another list, and got none of his top 10 choices.</p>
<p>SE houses half of the on-campus students, so someone has to be put there. S was majorly unhappy, though.</p>
<p>He requested a housing change appointment, and fortunately, he was able to switch into the <em>one</em> available room in Northeast, so it ended well. He loved Northeast.</p>
<p>I guess the moral is, don’t get overly excited until you get your official assignment.</p>
<p>Hmm… yes, I meant Northeast I’m used to checking out the facebook page for the class of 2014 - Southwest,yeaaaahhhh, party…</p>
<p>I will follow up with S, I had assumed since he was signed up for the RAP he was all set. He was to confirm the choice at orientation. He would not be happy in Southwest.</p>
<p>OK, I texted him, he said housing is tomorrow. NRE, I warned him what happened to your son, we’ll see what happens. Thanks for the heads up!</p>
<p>Even as a freshman, Northeast is so much more convenient for an engineering student, it’s much closer to where most of his classes will be.</p>
<p>There was partying in Northeast, too - a bunch of people in my S’s dorm got written up and several were kicked out of the dorm. It’s not quite the mob atmosphere like in Southwest though, it’s more laid-back.</p>
<p>Southwest does have the best dining hall though by far. There’s always trade-offs. ;)</p>
<p>Good luck to your son!</p>