<p>I'm getting ready to sign up for orientation (accepted to SEAS EA) and noticed how there were many sessions/dates. Would it be disadvantageous for a first year like me to go to a later date since classes will get filled up?</p>
<p>There are theoretically an equal number of spots at every orientation.</p>
<p>Where do you look to even sign up?</p>
<p>Oops–nevermind :)</p>
<p>Class spaces are held back and released for each orientation group so class availability is not an advantage to one group over another. Having your individual sign up time randomly assigned earlier or later in the day at orientation can have an effect but that’s just luck. Be prepared with a long list of options. Remain flexible as to class choice and time of day. Don’t be alarmed if you come away with only two of your original choices not at the times you wanted. Scheduling will open up again in August and things will start to move as upper classmen rearrange their schedules and add/drop things. You can also try going to class the first day. Some profs will drop anyone who doesn’t show up and you can ask to be added. With some persistence you can generally get some more of the classes you wanted. Remember, you have four years and each year your priority gets higher. :)</p>
<p>Blue, very informative and thorough, thank you very much! Just to confirm, the time of your class in the day is completely random? I didn’t quite understand that part of your explanation.</p>
<p>What Blue is saying is that your sign up time at orientation determines whether or not you get a class schedules, not the time of the orientation itself. An equal amount of spaces for classes are reserved at each orientation session, your assigned sign-up time at an orientation session is random. This means that if you get an earlier sign up time as opposed to a later one at an orientation session, you will have a greater chance of getting your classes. Later sign-up times at an orientation session will have less of a chance and have to prepare to schedule some of their “back up” classes.</p>
<p>Also my two-cents about orientation.
- If you hate orientation don’t second guess your decision to come to UVA. Hating orientation is very normal.
- If you don’t get the classes you like don’t fret. There is ample opportunity to get what you want when SIS opens to all in August/get back to grounds and course action.
- Don’t expect to make lifelong friends at orientation, it’s just an orientation.</p>
<p>blue also was saying, maybe your class SPAN 101 you wanted was at 2pm with such and such professor. But there is also a section at 8am with another professor. So you might still get SPAN 101 but at a worse time, if the 2pm is full by the time you register but the 8am still has spots.</p>
<p>You can find plenty of posts from last year about orientation and class selection. </p>
<p>While you may have trouble getting every class you want during your first semester, you will find it is much easier as a second year. Try to get as many required classes out of the way your first semester. It also may be beneficial to take a couple classes that somewhat overlap with AP classes that you had, to give you a chance to get adjusted to college without being overwhelmed with entirely new material. Have a long list of classes that you may wish to take. </p>
<p>Do some research on profs in advance on [url=<a href=“http://www.thecourseforum.com%5DtheCourseForum%5B/url”>http://www.thecourseforum.com]theCourseForum[/url</a>]. You can register for that site as soon as UVa gives you an email address. However, most intro language and math classes involve grad students, who don’t normally show up on that website. </p>
<p>You may also want to bring an ethernet cable because sometimes the dorm wireless gets slow when everyone is using it at the same time (which might happen at times during orientation and during the school year, such as Sunday nights).</p>
<p>Sorry I was somewhat unclear. Thanks to Hazel & 110 for clearing things up.</p>
<p>My apologies in advance if any of the following questions seem stupid, but the whole orientation thing discussed here has me a bit confused.</p>
<p>My S was admitted as a Rodman scholar, and we will be making the drive to visit during DOTL on April 19. We are OOS about 8-9 hours away. Son will also be working a professional internship over the summer here. From reading here and now seeing the Orientation website it appears that he is required to travel back to UVa and attend an orientation in July as well, and that he registers for classes during that period and that it is difficult to get the classes you may want as well. I was under the impression Rodman students got priority registration at some particular time (we thought typical registration period was a week before classes began). I feel like we’re missing some piece of the information puzzle. Are we required to come back in mid-July for orientation, and does it need to be on a specific day (only one session, July 15, references Rodman) and how does the priority registration work into this? Thanks.</p>
<p>Priority registration will begin once he matriculates and starts selecting classes for second semester onward. The registration hierarchy at UVA is as follows.</p>
<p>1.Whether or not you have declared a major. Those who declare get the 1st week of registration while people who have not get the second week.
2. Then it goes by year. 4th > 3rd > 2nd > 1st.
3. Then it goes by special designation. Athlete > Echols/Rodman > UVA Student</p>
<p>After the above sorting takes place, there is a random sign up time assigned to you within the given interval you fall into.</p>
<p>Yes, your son is expected, although not required, to come back to UVa for orientation this summer. For international students and those that traveling the long distance to c’ville in July might be a hardship there is an orientation that takes place just prior to move in. This would obviously not be specific to Rodman scholars so much of that information would be missed. I would have your son speak to admissions regarding their advise on which session to attend. I’m sure either could be accommodated. I know some struggle with the decision between DOTL and orientation in July as making two trips is difficult. If you are not using DOTL as a decision making trip and have already committed to UVa, as much as I think DOTL is a great program, I’d advise my student to choose orientation in July. There’s simply more specific information to daily college life as a UVa student that goes on. </p>
<p>My son worked full time in a professional internship that summer as well. We simply planned our family vacation to back up to the later half of that week, with S2 and I in c’ville for orientation the first couple of days. Employers are very understanding if you let them know well in advance, block a week like this, and aren’t taking multiple breaks. Although orientation certainly has some nice programs for parents, your son could easily handle the trip solo, and many students do. I came along as we weren’t dealing with airfare/extended drive and I am very fond of c’ville.</p>
<p>If it is at all possible to make the orientation during the summer, I would recommend it. It reduces the stress level for students and parents by getting many things out of the way early and by answering questions. For instance, you can have your laptop set up for the University system, and you have time to look online for cheap used books for your courses, because you will know what you are taking. As of 2 years ago, they also had a full day of programs for parents during orientation that answered many questions. It also can provide some time to get familiar with the layout of the grounds and your way around town - before you need to be a certain place at a certain time. In addition, Cville is an enjoyable place to spend a couple days - check out Monticello, the Downtown Mall, Shenandoah National Park, etc.</p>
<p>I second everything blue and charlie had to say. Orientation is more important than DOTL and more informative if your mind is made up and UVA is where you are going. There are also many wineries to visit which is a great day trip!</p>
<p>Thanks for all this information everyone! I’m starting to, however, get the impression that orientation isn’t/will not be a very positive experience.</p>
<p>@TheCav, I’d say it sounds more like there is a lot going on, there are some real highlights - but it’s also when some of the realities of class scheduling (and being underclassmen) are first realized. And that can be a less than perfect experience. Might not get every class you want, might not be at the times you want, etc. Plus - a lot of people, a lot of information, and it can probably seem hectic to some. I haven’t been there, so I’m just projecting that this is what has been said here.</p>
<p>My biggest surpirse is that this seems to be atypical of most colleges: having a summer orientation at all. The other schools we’ve looked at just have freshman orientation and class scheduling the week before classes begin, so this seems pretty unusual to do it as an “event” in the middle of summer. It’s also unfortunately another trip expense and interruption ot summer work/vacation plans. But… it’s all part of the experience.</p>
<p>@grp2013…when I went through registration/orientation at Virginia in the early '70’s, it was just like you described. Everything took place the few days before classes and it was all the students at once. Combine the crowds, short adjustment period before classes started, and lack of technology and you had a VERY stressful experience (anyone remember the kids standing in line at Mem Gym waiting to get a punch card for a class? Or the kids sitting on the floor crying in the chaos because they couldn’t get a class?).</p>
<p>I’ve put two kids through the modern process. The University does an outstanding job. Have your student do their homework with regards to potential classes and approach the whole thing with a relaxed and flexible approach. There are student volunteers everywhere to lend a hand. </p>
<p>Enjoy the experience…college is likely to be the best four years of your life!</p>
<p>grp2013~ </p>
<p>You will find that UVa’ s events such as orientation are extremely well organized. The staff is always knowledgeable and very helpful.
As a parent you do not have to go to orientation. Your son can jump on a train to C-ville where he can grab a cab to the grounds.
I understand you can feel a bit overwhelmed , but this is the beginning of the journey ;)</p>
<p>The Cav I am not sure why you read all the responses and came away thinking orientation was a bad experience. When my S went through orientation he had fun. It was short but he met lots of people, and although he didn’t stay friends with them he came away with a very positive view of the students and less apprehensive for the “real” start of school. As far as selecting classes, he had zero problems except for Spanish which you will see in other threads is an ongoing issue for UVA. However I will tell you that my S was convinced that he was a morning person and selected mostly early morning classes and Friday classes. lol He is now a third year and doesn’t schedule a class until 11am if he can help it which he usually works out for him. The students that have trouble are the first years who want a Monday to Thursday schedule that lets them sleep in. But as “low man” you may not be that lucky, understand? Otherwise orientation is great, don’t miss it if you can and finances are not an issue for you.</p>