<p>for the orientation, I'm still deciding between SPOP and mini-SPOP. Can anyone tell me the day-to-day activities(morning-afternoon-evening) for SPOP? because so it seems like there isn't much difference between the 3-day long orientation program and the 1-day orientation. The only big difference is SPOP has dance and talent show.</p>
<p>So for those who have attended the 3-day SPOP, what are the activities during the day? because I assume the academic overview and advising can all be done in one day, so for the next 2 days, is there any activity during the day or do they just let you wander around? </p>
<p>And How would you describe your overall experience at the orientation? is it fun?</p>
<p>I would say go to SPOP. It's really fun. Yes you can get all the academic stuff taken care of in mini-SPOP, but with SPOP you will have a lot of fun and get to meet tons of people who are in the same situation as you: they don't know anyone (or barely anyone) at UCI and are starting out. It's like summer camp with academic stuff thrown in there. There is a barbecue, I think they have some type of presentation every night, and hall activities. I still keep in touch with some of my SPOPers. I'd say do it.</p>
<p>I'm probably just going to attend the engineering orientation since I took summer school there last year so I'm already used to going there, lol. </p>
<p>If you guys are going to take Calc, avoid Boutchaktchiev... you can probably tell by his name that he has a terrible accent.</p>
<p>I went to the Mini spop 5 years ago, which was a waste of time as it was. Only thing I remember that was actually beneficial was that I got to take my photo for my ID card. I think for a few hours we had to sit in Crystal Cove auditorium and listen to introductions/counselors talking about breadth requirements which are kind of confusing for most people who haven't started taking classes yet. Then we got into little groups (by what major we were gonna do I think) and went to conference rooms and did ice breakers- why? I don't know we were only going to be in the groups for like an hour- whats the point? again, waste of time- Nobody meets anyone at mini-spop. Then in the little groups someone gave us little enrollment tips about what we should take our first quarter.</p>
<p>If u're into seeing what it's like to stay in the dorms then definitely do the regular spop, i dont know what goes on at this one too much. But if you live close I would say just go to mini SPOP, take your picture, you don't even have to stay for counseling in the little groups at the end I don't think.</p>
<p>Beware, there's also some events during welcome week (the week you have moved into the dorms but classes havent started yet) that will make you get up early in the morning but they will be pointless. I remember something maybe the monday or tuesday morning after move-in day where we had to go to the Bren to listen to the chancellor and deans speak- boooooring. Then you go to a lecture hall depending on your major and listen to counselors or something speak. Complete waste of having to get up early in the morning. Have fun at night and sleep in during welcome week!</p>
<p>I kinda want to know what it's like to stay at dorms, but I'm not sure if it's worth the $195. regular SPOP is so much more expensive than the mini ones, is it worth it?</p>
<p>So basically the Mini SPOP is just for students who want to register for classes and get the important things done while the SPOP is for social events and activities? I'm from NORCAL and i'm just thinkin about flying there for the mini-SPOP, get things taken care of and go back home.</p>
<p>You get counseling at both. I figure if you're going to fly down from NorCal, you might as well do the longer SPOP and make the trip more worth it.</p>