<p>Hoping someone can answer some questions about summer orientation for freshmen. I understand that you get your picture taken for student IDs and plan a (tentative?) fall schedule but is attending the summer orientation mandatory? If it isn't, is there another time during which I can do all that stuff? Either online or at another date before school starts? Am I at a disadvantage if I don't attend orientation?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>I heard it's much better to go to the orientation because you get to sign up for classes which most of the students can't do, but i'm not too sure about this. Spaces for those classes run out quickly...so it is better if you go early to the orientation...</p>
<p>there is also a math placement test..as well as bio/chem/language...that you need to take. if you can't make it to the testing areas during May, it is suggested that you take it at the orientation.</p>
<p>imho, i think if its your 1st year at ucsc..it is best for you to attend. but then again..its $100... :/</p>
<p>It's not mandatory as I'm not going...That 100 bucks along with 95 for guests sticker price was not appealing to me. </p>
<p>I also asked a former Frosh and he told me orientation wasn't really worth the 100 bucks...So i supposed you can take that as, you won't be at a disadvantage. Atleast I hope not cause I won't be attending orientation.</p>
<p>But you CAN enroll in classes Online starting August 1st.</p>
<p>I jsut went today (the 12th). It was honestly, really, totally, NOT worth $105. All I did was sit in my college "mini"-orientation, go to the biology dept. major advising, take the bio placement, and talk with my C9 advisors. They weren't that helpful, since I asked the same question for both of them and got 2 different answers. Oh, and I registered for my classes, and the chem1A was not my first choice session. And I also wasted gas & money. If you want a guest to come with you, he/she doesn't even need to pay. They can just walk in the campus and do whatever they want. You can bring a field trip and no one would care.</p>
<p>Well it's a little late to change my mind now, I'm already signed up to go on the 17th. Oh well.</p>
<p>How long did the Orientation take? Were there a lot of people? If all I want to do is sign up for classes can I just skip all the other stuff and just sign up and leave?</p>
<p>Im going on the 17th too! See you there =]</p>
<p>I also went on orientation on the 12th. It wasn't half bad. Everyone was very nice (including other students), I got to take my math placement test, and I get to enroll earlier than other students. The worst part was the commute (5 hours).</p>