<p>Hey, I was wondering is it really necessary to attend both days for orientation? On the website, it says that the main difference between orientation and explore usc is that during orientation, we get to choose classes, but if I already attended explore usc, it seems kinda pointless to attend both days of orientation. And I know it's not worth it to only attend one day, but I have to go on vacation with my parents. So my questions are</p>
<p>do I have to attend both days?
if I don't attend orientation, is it ok because most of my classes for freshmen year are GE, so I would be guaranteed those classes anyways and could select my classes when I come back from vacation.</p>
<p>You’re not “guaranteed” GEs. Many of the “easier” and more popular ones fill up very early. So by not going to Orientation, it’s definitely harder to schedule your classes also as you’ll have less times and classes to choose for. Don’t forget, as a freshmen, you’re getting the LAST choices. All current students have already registered and if you wait till after all the orientation sessions, you’ll be literally one of the last students to choose.</p>
<p>And anyways, it’s a great experience. You get to meet lots of other students and they have lots of fun activities planned for you. And I’m sure there’s SOME orientation date that doesn’t interfere with your vacation plans. Aren’t there orientation dates throughout June and July?</p>
<p>Explore and Orientation are two very different programs. Explore is an accepted student day where they try to convince you to choose USC and show off the campus.</p>
<p>Orientation is for students who have committed to USC. Students register for classes, receive counseling for their majors, and learn the specifics of what to do and where to go when they arrive on campus for their first semester.</p>
<p>As akalboy says, you are not guaranteed any classes. If you do not attend orientation, you will register last, and not have counseling to help you choose which of those leftover classes will apply to your program.</p>
<p>If you absolutely can’t make any of the regular orientation dates, you should call the admissions office and ask if you can go to the international students orientation. I believe it’s the 2 days before move-in days. It’s essentially the same thing as normal orientation, but I believe they mainly do this to help cut costs for international students (so they don’t have to fly to the US twice). However, you’ll still end up being amongst the last students to register, but you’ll still get to go through the rest of the experience.</p>
<p>It’s also my understanding, I could be wrong, that they set aside a certain number of spots in some of the popular GE’s so that all the orientation days have an equal chance of getting the classes they want. I’m just assuming they also save spots for the International Student Days so I’d definitely call to see if that’s an option for you…</p>
<p>Regardless of which orientation session a student attends, he/she will have an equal chance of getting courses because they do set aside a number of spots in each course for each session. But that’s if you attend orientation. Those who don’t will not have that benefit.</p>
<p>If all else fails, find out on which day of orientation the registration is held. If it’s the first day, you may get by with leaving the next day though you’d be missing out on some activities. Or perhaps your parents could postpone your vacation just one day?</p>
<p>Yes, they do save spots for each orientation, but ANYONE can take those spots. Very handy tip if any of you are incoming freshmen. If you can’t get any of the classes during your orientation, wait until the next orientation and then change your classes. But you can’t register BEFORE your orientation. So yes, they save spots for each orientation, but ANYONE can register for them (not just orientation kids).</p>
<p>And unless they’ve changed the process this year, registration was held at the end of the 2nd day when I went. It was the last thing we did for orientation.</p>
<p>Does anyone know how the registration for classes is handled for the TO kids during orientation? My daughter will be in TO and coming to the international orientation. Good to know that some spots are saved for each orientation group. Does this hold true for the TO classes as well?</p>
<p>ecymom, TO students will have their own advisement session. All TO students will enroll in a CORE 102 class (Cultures and Values). Within 112 there will be various classes to choose from. Students will receive an information packet with course descriptions the day before registration. Advisement for other courses will also take place at the session.</p>
<p>I thought the priority for classes was handled on an accrued credits basis (meaning that I would be able to get first priority among freshmen if I have 8 AP classes as credits). Is that not true?</p>
<p>^ Your AP credits will give you improved registration priority starting with your second semester. Freshman registration is done at Orientation for all freshmen (or after the last orientation for those who do not attend orientation).</p>
<p>*The max 32 units of AP credit is helpful for registration priority, but be aware that each year a higher percentage of freshman enter with 8+ APs, so there will be LOTS of you with that priority.</p>