Orientation..

<p>Just like in every major city, LA has some really great parts, and other parts that are no so great... I've lived out here my whole life, and will admit that there are places in Los Angeles where I still have never gone... However there are also some really awesome places, and like was said eariler, not everybody out here walks around with their gun.</p>

<p>"not everybody out here walks around with their gun"
everyone in LA has a gun!!? haha jk</p>

<p>lol of course we're all packing heat! How else would we bust a cap?</p>

<p>Give me a break, I saw "more" in the Bay area than I've ever seen in 20+ years in LA. Let's try to keep the stereotypes to a minimum, shall we? lol </p>

<p>what movies are you all watching that depict this? Go read a book! lol</p>

<p>I watched "SWAT" before I came to UCLA and was kind of intimidated by the staggering amount of people packing high-caliber pistols, SMGs, rocket launchers, etc in Los Angeles. Go figure.</p>

<p>You know I can honestly say I've never seen somebody walking down the street with a rocket launcher.</p>

<p>Westow, </p>

<p>I noticed no one really addressed the last part of your post. Orientation was a great experience. For me it was very helpful in deciding which classes I wanted to take because I really didn't have a clue about what I wanted to take. Also, you get an opportunity to meet people before you actually start classes here on campus. I run into the people from my orientation group all the time. It's also nice to because when you finally get here you're not all alone and you'll already have a few friends. Things to remember to bring include: shower shoes/flip flops, paper, something to write with, and VERY comfortable shoes for walking in (you do A LOT of walking during orientation.) A few people brought their laptops with them however, it's not necessary and it's only useful if you have a ethernet cable to get on the internet.</p>

<p>I have quite a few questions about the orientation...so please bare with me here :) :</p>

<p>I heard that UMich charges for its orientation...does UCLA charge too? if so...how much? </p>

<p>Also, I really don't know anything about the orientation so could somebody please explain what exactly goes on at these things.</p>

<p>Do we register for classes at orientation? if so, does going to one of the later orientations jepordize my chance of getting into the classes I want? I'm from out of state so I don't think I can get to cali until august. :)</p>

<p>Thanks :)</p>

<p>I don't go to UCLA...yet, but I can answer your last two questions.</p>

<p>Yes you register for classes at orientation; and yes, going to a later orientation will minimize your chances of getting the professors and times you want, but I believe you'll still be able to get the classes you want/need, just maybe not with your choice of teacher /time.</p>

<p>Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.</p>

<p>UCLA orientation is $340. </p>

<p>and shinseki got the answers correct for your other questions.</p>

<p>I'm kinda frustrated because it looks like I won't be able to make any of the July orientation sessions (unless they're before July 6th) because I'm going to Europe. </p>

<p>I really hope that I'll still be able to get the classes I want by going in early August :/</p>

<p>ckings86, thanks a lot! I can't wait for orientation.</p>

<p>I actually went in early August this past year and I was still able to get into the classes that I wanted. However, there's certain classes that are more difficult to get into such as English Comp 3 and very true, you might not always get the prime times. But, you have to keep in mind that there are a lot of students going UCLA that all need many similar classes and most likely, if it's a general class that everybody needs, it'll be offered the following quarter. So, it's not impossible to get into your classes. Though I strongly suggest that when you're planning out classes to make a couple different back-up plans just in case the ones you need are indeed full. </p>

<p>As for what exactly you do during orientation, assuming it'll be similar to last year, on the first day you'll check in and listen to a couple professors and current students speak about the different aspects of student life at UCLA. They are entertaining and beneficial to go to. Also, in the evening there'll probably be some sort of activity for everyone to go to, to have some fun and such to meet fellow classmates. The next day, is much more relaxed. You get most of the day to go to different workshops and things to find out about more specific topics such as different majors, study skills, undergrad research, and the like. You also get most of the day to work on piecing together classes you want to take. You'll have a couple set meetings/appointments with your OC (Orientation Counselor,) who you will be assigned to the first day, to go over with you classes that you need to take and those you don't. They're very helpful if you are unsure of what you want to take and can definitely help you sort eveything out. There will also be another fun group activity for the night (I'm not sure if they do the one we did every year but, there was a GIANT scavenger hunt at midnight on campus which I heard was A LOT of fun.) The last day, is when you'll actually register for classes in your OC's room. He/she will most likely have two computers and then at a certain time you'll be able to get on the computer and sign up for your classes. It'll take maybe 15 mins tops for everyone from your group to sign up. It's a very quick process. For the rest of the day you'll have a couple other speakers/skits to listen to/watch and then afterward you'll spend taking a very extensive campus tour (which is definitely when you'll need/want the comfy walking shoes!) Overall, orientation is a lot of fun and you meet a lot of interesting people. Also, the groups are usually formed by majors so, you'll most likely end up seeing many, if not all, your fellow orientation group friends in your classes throughout the year since you'll need many of the same classes. </p>

<p>I think orientation is definitely worth going to. I've rarely heard anyone say that it was a waste of time and money. It's definitely very helpful to those that are unsure of what classes to take and want to get to know people before getting here on campus in the fall.</p>

<p>Thanks Everyone! :)</p>

<p>Ohh.. that scavengers hunt sounds fun!</p>

<p>I didn't actually participate in the scavenger's hunt but, yeah I heard it was a TON of fun. Small groups were formed and each group was given a camera and the goal was to find the buildings and such that were on that specified list and take a picture of everyone in the group in front of or with the building/place and such. What makes it difficult and fun is that it's at night and for the most part, not many new first years know where everything is on campus especially in the dark. But again, I don't know if they do it every year for orientation but, there's a good chance that they do...</p>

<p>OMG OMG OMG!! I'm SOO EXCITED! I wanna run around the campus at midnight! Is there like prizes and stuff??</p>

<p>Also, do you know if it's like a real one? Where you get clues... find the place.. and get another one?</p>

<p>(I don't think so, since you mentioned a list. But at least, is it given in clues?)</p>

<p>the orientation home page is at <a href="http://www.orientation.ucla.edu/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.orientation.ucla.edu/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>ckings86, I feel better now. I can live with one quarter of classes that aren't totally ideal. I'm more of a morning person anyway, so maybe I'll just take earlier classes or something.</p>

<p>We did a scavenger hunt JUST like that at the Alumni Scholarship state finals. They took us to a bunch of places like this museum in westwood (forgot the name), Ahh's, Diddy Reise, Best Buy, and Buck Fitty's. It was pretty exciting, although my group didn't win :(</p>

<p>Orientation sounds like a blast! Hopefully I'll make some good friends there</p>

<p>There were prizes for the teams that won. I can't remember what they were though. I think it was like a UCLA sweatshirt/hoodie for everyone on the team or something like that. Um...as for the clues, I think they gave lists of things/locations/buildings that the groups had to find. But again, I didn't participate so I'm not entirely sure. </p>

<p>About earlier classes, it's not so much that I'm against them <em>has an 8am class every day of the week this quarter</em> But, I wouldn't take any that are too early your first quarter. I say this because you will most likely be up MUCH later than you are now and I can guarantee that you won't want to get up. If you walk around any floor in one of the res halls around midnight or so, EVERYONE will still be up. (Except for people like me who like sleep and have 8am classes. Lol.) And it's seriously TOO easy to shut your alarm off and go back to sleep. Plus, most likely, your roommate(s) won't care whether or not you're up for class so it's literally up to you to get up. No one will be there to see to it that you're up for class. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to discourage you from taking an early class because it's not impossible <em>personally has never missed any of her 8am classes and has done well in all of them</em> But, I definitely would try not to take any your first quarter if possible. I say this from experience... I had an 8am discussion my first quarter and though I might've been there, I was NOT awake. Lol.</p>