Orientation...

<p>Maybe it's just the website, but the description of orientation on UM's website makes it sound incredibly dull... If it's gonna be three days of placement tests and academic advising, I'm goin to EMU.
I'd be a commuter student, and I can't shake this image I have of UM being way too stiff and competitive... anyone wanna try to change my mind?</p>

<p>the orientation is dull for the most part...but i dont see why that is a reason not to go there cause its 0% similar to actual college</p>

<p>=] I know it's a lousy reason not to go... but it's a general representation of how I'm feeling towards UM... If I'm commuting, it kinda seems like I'll go to class, leave, the end. With EMU, I have friends who go there, so I'll have some sort of social interaction there.</p>

<p>Let me get this straight if you go to Michigan, you will commute and if you go to EMU, you will live in dorms? I don't get it. EMU is a 15 minute drive from UM's campus. At any rate, a degree from EMU really doesn't measure up to a degree from Michigan. As far as "fun" is concerned, a school with 25,000 undergrads should be able to provide you will more fun than you can handle.</p>

<p>I don't know about other people here, but I had a blast at orientation. Placement tests take maybe 2 hours of the entire orientation, and academic advising is even shorter. Most of it is just free time to explore campus, eat out with friends, watch movies on the Hill, play sports with ur fellow orientation people, etc. Three days of freedom with a bunch of other students should be a ton of fun or else there is something wrong with you (or the people you're with).</p>

<p>=/ I'm indecisive. I change my mind about where I want to go every other minute... so let me give you a more in-depth explaination and I dunno... you can try to convince me that Michigan isn't so bad after all, since my reasons for not liking it are pretty weak.</p>

<p>Wherever I go, whether it's EMU or UM, I'll commute, as it's only like a 15 minute drive from my house and worthless to dorm. UM is pretty much parking hell, while EMU is somewhat better. </p>

<p>Yeah, great, right now, in the middle of writing my reasons why I dislike UM, I changed my mind again and convinced myself that UM is better, and can't for the life of me think of any good reasons I'd want to go to EMU. I think what I need is a psychiatrist or something. Argh, sorry I'm being so psycho. Feel free to ignore me.</p>

<p>UM is a better school, and if I went to EMU, I'd probably end up transferring to UM anyway. Which makes it pointless not to go.</p>

<p>-sigh- Watch this thread. Tomorrow I'll be back, trying to remember why I thought I liked UM.</p>

<p>Maybe my question should be: has anyone else been as indecisive as me (meaning, changing your mind every five minutes about what you want to do with four years of your life), what did you decide, and how did it all turn out?</p>

<p>Sidney, whether you end up at EMU or UM, if finances aren't an issue, I strongly recommend you live in a dorm, even if your house is near by. Commuting to college isn't the same as living in a dorm.</p>

<p>a) I'm 15
b) Even if I were Donald Trump, I wouldn't blow some $8,000 on a dorm room when I live down the street. Some may differ, but I'd rather spend it on something else.</p>

<p>ur 15 ?! what?</p>

<p>I mean...this is college-confidential...people look @ college stuff and make decisions and ponder about dorm rooms and finances even during sophmore year...lol</p>

<p>Regardless, find me someone who says "OoO, my college's orientation is so much sweeter than yours..haha, I am so looking forward to it" and I'll be impressed</p>

<p>Skipped 3rd grade and graduating in 11th (my school doesn't go up to 12th, although they're adding a 12th grade - i got out in time) is why I'm only 15. I'll be 16 by the time I start college, though.</p>

<p>I have to agree with Alexandre that living on campus is a really essential part of the college experience. However, because of your age, maybe you would want to live at home your first year - and in the residence hall your 2nd year. My husband lived off campus years ago - and he regrets it to this day. Just this week we were on campus with our daughter for Campus Day - and, when our tour guide asked him where he lived, he said again that he lived off campus and it was the biggest mistake of his college career. If your family can afford it, I'd recommend that you give dorm life a try. If you decide to delay living in the dorm for a year, make sure you connect with the Housing office. Usually once you live off campus, they don't let you move back on. And -- there's no comparison between EMU and Michigan. Unless you're planning to be a teacher, it's a no brainer. Go blue!</p>

<p>orientation, while boring at times, was definitely worth attending if nothing more than for the friends i made. personally, orientation was the first time i got to experience the type of freedom one has in college. on paper the schedule does sound rigid, but you do end up with plenty of free time. evenings are essentially free, and they are a great opportunity to explore the campus and surrounding area. besides, orientation is the first time new students get to experience the joy (and frustration) of backpacking and scheduling classes!</p>

<p>scheduling classes starts out as a joy for early orientation dates and gradually gets more frustrating as the dates get later and later.</p>

<p>chibearsfan17, i'll second that. for everyone going to orientation this summer, i'd highly recommend attending orientation as early as possible. one, it won't be as hot--and it can get hot in those east quad rooms! two, you'll have a much better scheduling experience.</p>