<p>Hi, I am going to UCi this coming Fall!</p>
<p>but now I have a problem which bothers me alot...</p>
<p>Ok, so, I did some researches on orientation program (SPOP)</p>
<p>how come I couldn't find the exactly date for Mini SPOP (one day only)?</p>
<p>cuz, I live in Irvine... and I don't really want to spend 2 nights at UCI...</p>
<p>My friend told me that there should be a Mini SPOP program that holds in June or sth</p>
<p>Does anyone know when is it???</p>
<p>bump cuz i want to know also</p>
<p>Last year, there wasn’t a mini SPOP. There were 8 separate two-day SPOPs. Honestly, SPOP was worth the two days, it’s really meant to introduce you to UCI in a fun approach rather than just signing up for classes and taking a tour.</p>
<p>I would prefer a miniSPOP, staying for 2 days is too much trouble for me. I can make friends in the classroom, I’m going to university to study, not to have fun. 27,000 dollars to have fun. . . lol</p>
<p>Remember, SPOP is not mandatory…</p>
<p>SPOP is not there solely to help you make friends(though it is a great way to meet people before school starts). SPOP will introduce you to the campus community and provide you with insight into what you will be doing for the next 4 years. Plus you sign up for classes, see what your schedule will be like freshman year, talk to advisors, meet your dean and learn about all the other resources available on campus. When I was in your shoes I really didn’t want to go to SPOP either but looking back it was a great introduction into the campus and made the fall transition much more comfortable.</p>
<p>really?? SPOP is not mandatory - -?</p>
<p>It says on the website tho… “All the incoming Freshmen must go to SPOP, this is MANDATORY for all”</p>
<p>what if i don’t go to SPOP?? can i still talk to advisers and get my schedule?</p>
<p>and damn it, SPOP is soooo expensive… it’s like $170 or $180</p>
<p>Hmmm maybe they changed the policy for attending SPOP. </p>
<p>Regardless, you still should be able to talk to advisors and make your schedule via phone, but you might not necessarily get the schedule you want.</p>
<p>You might be able to qualify for a SPOP fee waiver, just contact the office on the SPOP website and ask for Mike Knox.</p>
<p>Hi, if you guys are still wondering I just wanted to add that during my SPOP ('08) it was “mandatory” but you could always call them up and tell them you can’t go. I highly recommend going though (and with an open mind too, because they WILL make you do stupid things, but it will be fun if you stop being critical and judgmental) because it really makes you feel much more at home and you do get some important information for your major, etc. And it’s a really easy way to start networking with people. </p>
<p>But anyways, if you can’t stay for a full two days or you don’t want to, I remember we had the option of letting them know (possibly beforehand but I don’t remember) and there were people who just left early on the second day or didn’t spend the night.</p>
<p>i’d stay for the two days… i had the most fun the night of the first day. me my spop staffer and a few other kids ended up just talking and hanging out all night/morning.</p>
<p>@xxsteelxx i would at least let some fun in your college experience or you’ll just go crazy. and sometimes it isn’t that easy making friends in classrooms because somehow people end up already having friends from spop, dorms, etc.</p>
<p>@Cookie: what do you mean by, “they WILL make you do stupid things”?</p>
<p>Oh, just things like ice breakers and silly games 
And there’s a pretty silly yet fun SPOP olymics thing, too. I’d say half of your SPOP experience will be that kind of stuff (the other half is registration, learning about the serious stuff, campus tours, etc). You’ll feel like a kid again, but that’s kind of the point of it all: to break lose from judgments and expectations and just being open to try everything! No one makes you do anything, but it’s no fun just sitting around being an old fart while everyone else is having fun.</p>
<p>I heard we get our photo ID pictures taken during SPOP. If so, will we also receive our ID during SPOP?</p>
<p>Yes you get your ID</p>
<p>^ Yeah, when you heard that you get your photo ID taken at SPOP it’s also implied that you get your ID :o It’s pretty instantaneous, after you take your pic there’s a machine that will pop your new ID out after a few minutes.</p>
<p>Edit: I’d like to add that when I went to SPOP there wasn’t a specific time set aside to go get your ID. Your staffer may decide to take you guys, but chances are you’ll just have to go get it during your free time (most likely on the second day when there are lots of optional workshops). You get it at UCItems, if you can’t find it, ask around.</p>
<p>to clarify, you don’t HAVE to do the icebreakers but i would encourage you to do so. they definitely help you to loosen up and be silly, and that’ll help you meet more people</p>
<p>Yay! I don’t know why, but knowing that I will get my ID gets me excited lol Its like being an exclusive member to a prestiges club Or getting a Cosco membership card to get access to the food sample haha!</p>
<p>I don’t know about the miniSPOP but I truly think you should try the two-day SPOP program ! It’s pricey, I know, but it really gives you a sense of what college life is like. The SPOP staffers are amazing and they really do give you a wonderful experience:)</p>