<p>I have heard that many colleges hold early summer "orientation" sessions on campus for freshmen who will be coming in the fall. During these events, kids register for classes and so on, on campus.</p>
<p>Do many of the BFA programs do this? If so, when do the schools let kids and parents know about this stuff?</p>
<p>My kids' schools did not do this, but I have heard of some that do. I think CCM and UMich might. My kids' schools (the ones they attend, as well as most to which they applied), held orientation for new students the week prior to the start of classes in the fall (like the last week of August) and there was NO separate trip to campus (thankfully!!!!!). They registered prior to that, if I recall, online for classes. But the orientation week is fun and just involves freshmen coming a week ahead of the upper classmen. And if your D lands at a certain school :), I know one big event she'll be attending in late August at Madison Square Garden that my D is in.</p>
<p>Syracuse program has a 3-day orientation right before school starts. It's nice, because you don't have to make an extra trip to campus. There are events for all in-coming freshman, and then special events for each college. The MT department has a big picnic, and the new students perform for the whole theater department. The kids also meet their Bigs -- older students who help them get acclimated. Quite a fun weekend that eases the transition.</p>
<p>UArts also has an orientation program for freshmen. It's either 3 or 4 days, I can't recall. There are all sorts of scheduled sessions/activities ranging from orientation to school and departmental procedures and policies, class registration and receipt /instruction for laptops given to students, tours of center city phila and orientation to living in a center city area and various social activities. Many of the sessions are mandatory and some optional.</p>