<p>Does anyone know what percentage of students attend the preorientation programs like FOOT? I will be spending my entire summer away from home already so I would rather be home for the last week of my summer but I don't want to be the only one who doesn't go? </p>
<p>For any current bulldogs: does it impact your social scene after school starts? How important was it for meeting people? Any regrets for having or having not done the programs?</p>
<p>Also, I am really interested in camping/backpacking/outdoorsy stuff (that's actually what I will be away all summer doing!) Are there clubs and opportunities like during the school year (like FOOT)?</p>
<p>FOOT is the largest of all preorientation programs, hosting I think ~400 freshmen, which is about a third of the freshman class. If you include all the other preorientation programs (CC, ~100 freshmen; FPC, ~100 freshmen; OIC/Harvest, no idea but I would assume about another 100 between the two), that’s a bit over half the student body that does preorientation programs.</p>
<p>I’m not a current student, so I don’t know how to answer your other questions. But, to current students, does this seem about right?</p>
<p>yes, above person is right. most people do preorientation programs. they’re not necessary to having a great social life but it’s nice to come knowing people. foot groups especially get really close and they keep in contact, if not stay friends throughout the year. people also tend to make close friendships at the other programs as well. i’d suggest maybe doing the shorter foot trip because i think it’s a really good experience, especially if you’re into that sort of thing. and i’m pretty sure there’s some kind of yale outdoors club, pretty positive it exists but i’m not sure what the name is. look for it at the activity fair on the second day of camp yale.</p>
<p>It’s important to note that while people typically make the closest friendships in the FOOT program, a participant is only around approx 10 people, those in one’s FOOT group, over most of its duration. In the case of Cultural Connections, you come into freshman orientation already potentially knowing 115+ people because all the participants are together during the program.</p>
<p>^ Yeah, that’s definitely a plus for CC. I also like the fact that we’re on campus and we get to learn how to get around for a whole extra week.</p>
<p>Assuming you went to CC, can you message me or just respond about what exactly we do, how you would rate your experience and/or how the conversations/discussions,etc. are? Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>In CC, students take part in discussions about race and identity, racism, etc. etc. We also did cool events like laser tag/other sports at a rec center. The beach was another one. The talent show at the end was very fun.</p>
<p>For a rating, I’m going to be honest. I did CC because it was a chance to be on campus for a week, and because it was free (free food, free activities, free fun). On the whole I think I had a slightly positive time. I hated one or two activities and was not interested in a few others, and enjoyed myself with still more.</p>