Orientation Question

<p>Southmom … Disclaimer: This is my oldest- and first attending college so you’re more knowledgeable than me on that front. That said, they gave us each a name tag at check-in and said that was our ‘ticket’ for lunch and a parent tote to carry any info we receive throughout the day, so I would think you could attend the morning session and just not go to lunch or get the tote, which is a disposable anyway. You can always check when you get there too.</p>

<p>Coleman 4… I was just wondering which math version your son took for the pretest. I saw that for nursing it says to take the algebra version but my d is just finishing up with two years of calc A/B and B/C which she has college credits for. I thought I remembered u saying maybe your son took that too? She knows she has to take the test but isn’t sure which one? Also were they helpful in determining what AP/dual credits could be used towards the nursing prerequisites? Glad all went well with the orientation. We have to wait for graduation to get down there.</p>

<p>^^Just know that whatever test you take, AP test results trump that. Also be sure to look at academic bulletin for course requirements. It is the “official” course of study for the year you enter and is more complete and detailed than what is on major websites. For instance, I noticed on nursing page they specify Calc 121 which is calc for social science, but in academic bulletin they show 121 or 141 (which is the harder calc for science and math and what you can exempt with AP score from AB and/or BC). If you have scores from junior year, bring them. Otherwise they ask you to guess on your score and place you accordingly. If you passed AB with with 3, 4 or 5 it looks like you will exempt your math requirement. (But yes you still have to take placement test since they also use results to look at overall class readiness, etc)</p>

<p>SC mom /\ thanks so much for the info! That’s good to know. She did get a 4 jr year as well as an A in the class. We also paid for class as a dual credit thru the community college so she has college transcript with an A for Calc 1 in addition to the 4 on the test
She did both to cover herself. We did same thing with BC this year and she has A going on college transcript for calc 2 now … Also took the ap test and thinks she did well but no matter what has the credits on a college transcript. Hoping she will not have to take it which will free her up for something else. I will make sure I have her bring all paperwork with her. Thanks!!</p>

<p>Found this:

</p>

<p>So as SCMom said, as long as you take the test, you should be fine and your daughter can use her dual enrollment or AP exam results.</p>

<p>I don’t know of any department at USC which won’t accept Calc 141 over 121. 141 is the harder version of Calc 1 and is for engineering/science major types.</p>

<p>The one thing I’d do is if your daughter does enroll in a math class, I’d email the professor and let them know that she has the prerequisite math courses. Sometimes, if a professor doesn’t see a placement score (or one that places them into that course) on the student’s profile, then they automatically drop them from the class. Not always, but I’ve heard of it happening to more than one student.</p>

<p>NJMOM3 - For Nursing you take the Algebra placement test and it’s required (the test) regardless of AP courses (see FAQ below for reasoning for this). Son said it’s very easy though- he got a 23 out of 26. He also took AP Calc AB and BC and the credit you get from those is not one of the required maths in the Nursing curriculum (MAT 141 and 142) - BUT those credits can also count towards that Algebra requirement (I know that sounds silly but that’s how they explained it). </p>

<p>Here’s the FAQ from <a href=“https://assess.math.sc.edu/public/faq.html[/url]”>https://assess.math.sc.edu/public/faq.html&lt;/a&gt; :
Q: I already have AP credit (or dual credit) for Calculus I and/or Calculus II. Can I be exempted from the Mathematics Placement Test?
A: No, all incoming students are required to take this test. The results of the Mathematics Placement Test will not have any impact on the credits you have previously earned through the AP program. Practically, you will attend Orientation before you know the results of the AP exams, so taking the Mathematics Placement Test is a back-up in case you do not score a 3 or higher on the AP Calculus exam. (Besides, the data will help give us a better picture of the mathematical abilities of all of our incoming students.) </p>

<p>Nursing also has the STAT 110 and STAT 201 on the curriculum. My son also took AP Stat but he won’t get that score until July 1st so he didn’t sign up for that this time, expecting to at least place out of STAT 110, hopefully both. </p>

<p>I also want to mention the Foreign Language placement test. Surprisingly, all you need is a 2 to place out of the foreign language requirement for Nursing. My son got a 3 and was thrilled because he did not want to take another foreign language. He only took 3 levels in HS so no AP opportunity there.</p>

<p>Coleman - do the kids know their foreign language score immediately when they take it? My daughter is Pre-Pharm and has no language requirement but is taking the test in case she decides to change majors. She has 4 years of French so should be OK. </p>

<p>She also had to take the algebra placement test - even though she has AP Calc - she also did very well on it - she will have to take Stats though - didn’t take Stats in HS.</p>

<p>Another question about orientation - did they give your son is actuall room assignment or just dorm and roommate? Did you get to go to his actual dorm? I am anxious to get an idea of size for purchasing things (I have a girl so she is more into the purcahsing for her room!)</p>

<p>Don’t know about rooms, but language test score is available at end of test since on the computer. That way you know your score for orientation. I think if you score high enough on computer then kicks you over to spoken test - AUgirl can tell you about that I think.</p>

<p>One thing about room…there is table on housing that shows bed sizes…most are XL twins but there are a few older with twins. And you can also look at floor plans online once you have room number to see where you are and the general configuration of room. Older dorms also supply microfridge and chart tells that also. (Isn’t D in honors? If so, all rooms are slightly different shape, but if you want more info, PM me. Also check out virtual tours of USC dorms on Youtube)</p>

<p>Yes, a “4” or higher automatically kicks you over to the oral test (you move to a different room to take that portion of the test).</p>

<p>/\ thanks for all the above info and thanks Coleman 4 about the specific nursing info as well.So does nursing require 141 AND 142? I must be looking at the wrong sheet? I’m also wondering about stats too . My d has dual credits for intro to stats so I’m hoping she only has to take the elementary stats… Thanks for the foreign language info as well.Hoping she does ok with that too… She’s finishing up her 4th year and really wouldn’t mind being done with it I think. Guess we will find out all of this soon enough!</p>

<p>NJMOM3 - No sorry for the confusion- MAT 141 and 142 (CALC AP credit) are NOT part of the Nursing curriculum but as the others said, if you happen to do poorly (unlikely having taken AP Calc) on the Math Placement test, you’ll still be able to place out of the required ‘College Algebra’ having received AP credit for MAT 141 and 142 (since that is obviously a higher level math). My son said the Math Placement test was easy but surprisingly in the Nursing advising session, he said there were several kids who did not place high enough and have to take the College Algebra. If she hasn’t taken it yet, she should take it now because they want you to take it at least a week or so before your orientation. - You take it online. </p>

<p>ahsmuoh - Regarding the Foreign Language Placement test, I’m pretty sure every major requires this (AUGirl or scmom12 confirm?) … Nursing does not have foreign language listed on it’s curriculum either but what I was told at orientation was that even though foreign language is not listed on the curriculum, if you don’t score high enough on the placement test, the expectation is that you have to take the foreign language as one (or 2) of your electives. It’s even on the power point they showed us. I guess they want some level of “proficiency” as part of any major either via placement test or AP score or taking the class as an elective. </p>

<p>As far as dorm information, they tell the students to stop by the Housing table in the organization fair (can’t recall the name- where they have all these tables you visit)- and they will tell you your dorm assignment (building only). You don’t find out your roommate or room number until July but they said if you requested a roommate and they have the same dorm, then it’s most likely you are roommates. My son’s roommate was there too and he got the same dorm so it’s likely they are together (so they said). You can also visit the dorms at the end of the day but not all dorms. They have a selection that are similar to the others. For example, if you’re in Columbia, that dorm was not available but they showed Capstone for those who were in either Columbia or Capstone and just pointed out the differences. Both those dorms have XL twins with slats where you can raise and lower the beds which is nice. Capstone has stackable dressers but Columbia does not. Neither come with the fridge or microwave but my son got those for graduation gifts.</p>

<p>^^“Nursing does not have foreign language listed on it’s curriculum either but what I was told at orientation was that even though foreign language is not listed on the curriculum”</p>

<p>That’s why you need to look at academic bulletins - [Program:</a> Nursing-Generic, B.S.N. - Columbia Campus - Acalog ACMS?](<a href=“http://bulletin.sc.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=36&poid=4275&returnto=4241]Program:”>http://bulletin.sc.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=36&poid=4275&returnto=4241) This is where complete requirements are and language is listed under Global something (GFL) and specifies what level to go through.</p>

<p>Thanks for that link scmom12 and for the additional info Coleman 4. She is going to take the test in the next few days as soon as she comes up for air after spring musical and dance recital that we are in middle of and we still have two more weeks of school! Ugh! She hasn’t had a free moment to breathe, which is why I’m the one here asking all her questions. Thanks again so much for everyone’s help!</p>

<p>^^The algebra test should be easy for her, but there are practice tests on the math site that you can print out and do if you want.</p>

<p>Yes, thanks scmom12 for that link! I was only looking at the curriculum and did not see the MAT 141 there so this is good news. I didn’t know about the Academic Bulletin so that is helpful.</p>

<p>Academic bulletins are updated (if needed) around Aug. The one with your freshman year is one you go by…those are your grad requirements for your major… even if the major changes requirements during your years there. For instance… D2 started 2011/2012 and that is what she goes by even though common core has changed what new students take. Good idea to print off owned that applies to you for reference.</p>

<p>I’m sure advisors have check sheets for your major but it doesnt hurt to keep up with this yourself. Sadly there are sometimes slack advisors and ultimately you are responsible for taking what you need.</p>

<p>If you do poorly on the math placement test, you can actually retake it. (You’re allowed to take each test up to three times.)</p>

<p>As for foreign language, every major at USC requires it. It’s a part of the core curriculum. Most students get a score automatically, but if you do the speaking part, then you have to wait between a day and a few weeks for your score to come back. You used to have to check VIP for a final score, so I assume you’ll have to check mysc.edu now. (A 4 is not a final score.)</p>

<p>The only exception to the above would be for something like pre-pharmacy, which isn’t a major. You only do two years of undergraduate material and do not get a degree before going to pharmacy school, hence no foreign language requirement.</p>

<p>Definitely, definitely check the bulletin. That’s where the official listing of requirements is! It is a lot more confusing now that they’ve restructured the curriculum, but it will definitely answer a lot of your questions.</p>

<p>I’ll show what I mean by it being more confusing:
[Program:</a> French, B.A. - Columbia Campus - Acalog ACMS?](<a href=“http://bulletin.sc.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=45&poid=4586&returnto=4974]Program:”>http://bulletin.sc.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=45&poid=4586&returnto=4974)
This is the bulletin for my year for my major. It’s really straight forward and shows you the exact courses you need.</p>

<p>[Program:</a> French, B.A. - Columbia Campus - Acalog ACMS?](<a href=“http://bulletin.sc.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=36&poid=4117&returnto=4241]Program:”>http://bulletin.sc.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=36&poid=4117&returnto=4241)
This is the current bulletin for the exact same major. It’s really confusing and doesn’t list exact classes.</p>

<p>If you’re confused about the requirements, you might want to check the old requirements. The curriculum hasn’t really changed all that drastically. It just looks like it has.</p>

<p>We are at USC now for orientation. The language test can take anywhere from 3 minutes to 2 hours depending on the level. Heading to the actual orientation shortly. I’ll report back later.</p>

<p>My son went through transfer orientation last week (engineering) and his advisor was EXCELLENT. He immediately found out what courses had transferred (everything), had a schedule put together for both summer sessions and the Fall, and was also told (unofficially) what to take in the Spring. Placement test scores, AP credit, etc… were all available and considered by the advisor. Really went very smoothly.</p>

<p>My advice to everyone going to orientation. ENJOY IT while it lasts! I remember how excited I was to be in Columbia, walk around campus, and get my classes for the first time. It was truly magical. </p>

<p>Now I’m just really excited to get back to see all my friends and for Gamecock football.</p>