<p>OK, now that we're back from Summer Registration, I've got a better idea of just what to do to be prepared for the events that will occur that day. Summer Registration begins with check-in at Illini Union (west side of the building), which officially starts at 8:30am. My advice is to get there at 8 as they're setting up, because you need to run across the street to the bookstore to obtain your I-card (have your UIN number ready), and set up a TCF checking account, if you so desire. TCF bank is partnering with the university to set up student checking and/or savings accounts (P.S. Don't blindly opt-in to their overdraft protection scheme, where they'll pay regardless of the funds in your account, and charge you a $35 fee each time they do this..."gee, thanks?"). TCF has ATMs all over campus, so it's convenient, but it's not your only option.</p>
<p>After obtaining your ID (along with 350 of your new friends if you're not early), you run back to Illini Union, listen to a U of I general talk, then split up into your respective college groups in different buildings on campus, led there by a current student. Engineering's talk (by the "206 Deans" administrative assistant (read gatekeeper) was in Altgeld Hall (500 feet away), and your "guest(s)/(parent(s) are still with you at this point. This is where you get the college-specific talk. After that, the parents head back to Illini Union for more information about the upcoming fall semester, housing, financial aid, billing etc, while the students head over (not sure where here, because I wasn't there) for an evaluation of both the "homework" that you've printed out, as well as the results of the proficiency tests you've taken. You should print out the results that are available after you complete each exam. Chemistry is the exception here, but if you've taken the tests enough in advance, they'll have a copy of the results too. What exactly "in advance" means is up for interpretation, but I've heard anywhere from a few days to two weeks. I'd go with two weeks, or your registration experience will not be a quick, or pleasent one. If you haven't done the homework, or taken the required placement tests, you'll have to take them before your advising session.</p>
<p>Your advising session is where you and your advisor look over your known and expected AP scores, your placement test results, ACT English Subscore etc, to determine what general requirements courses, and degree-specific courses you anticipate (AP results won't be out until mid to late July) you'll get credit for. They need this information to create a list of classes, and a schedule for you to take to a computer, where you'll log in and register for classes under guidence from some helpful current students and/or knowledgeable college staff. You'll need your Enterprise ID and password for this. Please note that a registration hold was on your ID and was only removed after you passed the above evaluation of your homework and test results. It is once again placed on your account at midnight of your summer registration date, and will not be removed for you to change your schedule (due to AP results, or for whatever reason) until the first day of classes.</p>
<p>This is why I strongly advise you to determine what requirements you'll likely have credit for prior to attending summer registration. Then, using the requirements for the degree you are taking create a tentative schedule of your own. The course listings are online for the Fall 2010 semester. Read them carefully for prerequisites, corequisites, class and college restrictions, and either using an online tool, like Scheedule (Scheedule</a> - A Better Way To Schedule), or your own homemade weekly grid place these classes into your weekly schedule. Doing this will familiarize you with exactly what you'll be doing during summer registration, and allow you to communicate and understand your advising session much more clearly.</p>
<p>One other thing. Many of the general requirement classes are clumped in the "South Quad" area of campus. You'll need more than 10 minutes to get to them from the engineering quad, so have a campus map with you when you're creating that tentative schedule of yours.</p>
<p>Finally, your schedule should reflect courses that actually fulfill requirements of your degree. Otherwise, that cool wine-tasting social science course is an expensive way to pass your time in college.</p>
<p>Back to the day's schedule. Your homework/placement test evaluation occurs before lunch, which is back in Illini Union. You'll hook up with your parents at this point again, where you can let them know when your advising appointment is to occur. Advising starts in the early afternoon. That, and the actual act of registering will take at least 2 hours, if you're prepared...much longer, if you're not. Information tables are set up from various departments on campus to answer questions, and housing and campus tours are available in the afternoon too.</p>
<p>That's the day in a nutshell. Good luck everyone.</p>