<p>How important is it to go to orientation? And if you simply can't attend, how do you get advised on which classes to take? Does it put you at a disadvantage for getting the classes you want?</p>
<p>DS may have a the opportunity to work on the set of a major motion picture, and may not be able to leave for orientation. He was on campus recently for scholarship interviews and attended sessions similar to the orientation ones, with the exception of the advising and course sign up sessions. </p>
<p>Any thoughts or advice? He is a cinematic arts student in the production major if that makes any difference in the advice you might give.</p>
<p>One of the admissions counselors at an event this weekend noted for stressed east coast parents that orientation is not required. You can still register if you don’t or can’t attend. I’m not sure what the mechanism is for that but there is no penalty if you can’t make it. That’s what we were told. A separate trip from the northeast to CA just for a two day orientation is somewhat of a hardship.</p>
<p>Last year those who couldn’t attend a summer orientation session were able to attend the international orientation session right before the start of the fall semester— no extra trip. D had a friend with summer obligations who decided on this course of action. The only penalty per se is that you will not be able to register for classes until then. Those who do orientation earlier will select their classes and continue to make adjustments if they want during open periods (when other orientation sessions are going on). </p>
<p>There are spaces saved for each orientation in some classes, but not all for sure. Many classes or sections of classes will fill. You may be left with the less desirable times and days of the weeks (think mornings-- which others will avoid, lol). </p>
<p>Not sure how it works if you don’t even do the international orientation session.</p>
<p>Per the orientation page website, all are strongly encouraged to attend. However, it is recognized that not all can attend. In that case, new students have to order orientation packet; which are mailed in early July. These students can’t register until July 28, after the last on-campus session.</p>
<p>As the OP noted, with the exception of advisement & registration on the afternoon of the 2nd day, the agenda looks very similar to the Explore 2012 that we just attended.</p>
<p>For cinema, I believe most of students do not have difficulty getting any required courses, though the more popular times and courses may have been filled.</p>
<p>I believe first semester freshmen in SCA Production are advised to take CTCS190 (with Casper). The rest of their schedule to be filled with GEs and other reqs (language or writing). The average student will take 4 classes of 4 units each. Some take an additional 2 unit class, like the Freshman Seminars–which have cool topics and are all pass/fail. Since the classes have very narrow and interesting focus, FS’s can be a way many new freshmen can meet a group of friends who have the same interests. Sometimes, the most popular FS courses fill up fast in each orientation registration date–although they open up a few spots each orientation. If your student wants one of them badly, they need to get into their registration session (on second day of orientation) early, have their schedule ready to go and then hit the button fast. ;)</p>
<p>As said above, some GEs may be filled after the last reg dates, or the sections left may be early morning (USC’s earliest classes start at 8am) or on Fridays–never popular. Some Freshmen end up taking Natural Disasters, for example, rather than the Psychology of Fun. But all these classes are pretty good.</p>
<p>Later, when older students need to take major-specific courses, their advisor will give them a D-clearance to reserve the spot in the class they want. It prevents non-majors with earlier reg times from filling those classes and works well to keep everyone moving along towards timely graduations.</p>
<p>The other advantage of attending orientation is meeting students in your major who are, indeed, attending! Friends are made. Bonds are forged. Roommates are sometimes found. And, at least for my sons, it was the first time they were able to get one-on-one time with their a SCA advisor on the specifics they wanted to fit into their schedules. S1 wanted to do a study abroad semester. S2 is double majoring. But this can easily be done once your kids get to campus in August, too.</p>
<p>OP: my D signed up yesterday for the last session (August 20-21). It is not affordable to me to spend $1000 for her to have a perfect class schedule for first semester. Technically that is the freshman international orientation. From Maine to Los Angeles is basically moving to another planet let alone another country.</p>
<p>Snowdog, this won’t be a problem at all. Good choice. I don’t think I realized she is coming from Maine. Good grief, but that is far away! Tell her to bring sunscreen!</p>
<p>@snowdog- have a friend who’s daughter is doing the same only opposite sides of the country (Seattle- New York). Mom called the admissions office and they told her most of the west coast students come that last session in Aug. w/International kids. Im sure your D wont be alone!</p>
<p>There are plenty of good GE courses to go around, and from what we’ve seen, major-required courses are rarely, if ever, a problem. It would be a different story at a UC!</p>
<p>While every student may not have his or her dream schedule as far as hours and days, they’ll all get what they need in terms of courses. </p>
<p>(Also, savvy students keep an eye out on web registration for late-breaking spots in previously closed courses).</p>