<p>are they worth going to? i'm really interested in the leadership one so just wondering if they're kind of a joke or if they're actually serious?
and if i do want to participate in leadership of any kind at mit, is it particularly important for me to attend this pre-orientation program?</p>
<p>thanks!!</p>
<p>FPOPs are supposed to be fun, they aren’t ‘serious’ in the sense that you sit down and listen to lectures but I wouldn’t consider them ‘kind of a joke’ either. I think the focus is on meeting new people and learning about MIT / a particular aspect of MIT in a fun and enjoyable way.</p>
<p>You definitely don’t need to attend FLP in order to do anything with leadership at MIT.</p>
<p>I did Discover Literature (and later was a counselor for it). I agree with Karen - I met a lot of people through it, got familiar with Boston, and overall just enjoyed my first week at MIT :)</p>
<p>Again, seconding what Karen said… you definitely don’t need FLP to be a leader on campus. Of the leaders on campus I interact with, not a single one was from FLP.</p>
<p>But still, that said, FLP is an amazing program in the way that it’s structured. I’d definitely recommend it and past FLP alumni support of the program attests to the success of the FPOP.</p>
<p>I mean, FLP is so awesome that you’ll come back to campus running around in a circle on Kresge Lawn shouting, “Ride ride ride that pony” and laugh yourself silly while your fellow non-FLP classmates will have no idea what kind of cult you joined during pre-Orientation.</p>
<p>But seriously, I would strongly recommend signing up for it. FLP and FUP (in my very biased opinions) are the two best FPOPs.</p>
<p>(oh yeah, there’s 0% lecture at FLP, and you don’t really learn that much about leadership, even if that’s what the name implies. it’s really hard to describe what you do there exactly, but suffice it to say that as long as you’re open-minded and willing to have a great time, you’ll have a blast there).</p>
<p>-FLP '07!! : )</p>
<p>For me, the FPOP was a great way to get on campus early, see the city (before the MIT bubble sets in) and get to know people (even if you end up forming completely different social groups). Thumbs up from me.</p>
<p>Cannot agree more. Many of my friendships formed during first semester were from my FPOP (DEECS), and although we are in different majors now, many of us still keep in touch. It’s an excellent way to find new friends and do a bit of exploration before REX and Greek rush. After all, going to REX/Rush by yourself can be a bit intimidating at times. And besides, the FPOPs all have cool things to learn and do. They allow you to jump right into the MIT spirit =)</p>
<p>FLP was amazing! It was honestly one of the happiest times I’ve ever had. You meet tons of amazing people and you bond through both silly and heart-wrenching activities. Granted, I don’t keep in touch with everyone from FLP now that I’m about to be a senior but I’ve met several of my closest friends through the program. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>