<p>So basically I'm the one of few (or many) freshmen going to UCLA this fall 2012. I remembered the deadlines for orientation registration in the back of my head started to pop up around early July (around this time). So recently I went online to go register for orientation, and found out there was one orientation session unfilled! (the on the first week of September). Also, I have heard and read places that new student freshman orientation at like UCLA and UCs the like are pretty much a waste of time - that is that the only useful thing we do at orientation is register for classes. </p>
<p>Basically I'm left with two options: (1) register for that late orientation session and risk getting the back end of filled up classes while spending 100$+ on the presumed waste of money orientation, or (2) call in and say that I won't be attending orientation and end up registering for classes online. The main reason I don't want to call in and register online myself is that I have no idea what classes I need to take for my major and whatnot. I'm a Biochemistry/biophysics major and I plan on going to pharmacy or medical school. Help please!</p>
<p>Here’s the biochem major requirements (includes suggested schedule):
[Biochemistry</a> Major](<a href=“http://www.chem.ucla.edu/dept/Ugrad/Majors/biochem.htm]Biochemistry”>http://www.chem.ucla.edu/dept/Ugrad/Majors/biochem.htm)</p>
<p>Here’s biophysics (scroll down) and it’s required classes:
[Physics</a> & Astronomy](<a href=“http://academics.physics.ucla.edu/ugrad/req_physics.php]Physics”>http://academics.physics.ucla.edu/ugrad/req_physics.php)</p>
<p>Here’s the AP Credit in regards to math to see which class you get into:
[UCLA</a> Department of Mathematics](<a href=“Undergraduate Program | UCLA Department of Mathematics”>Undergraduate Program | UCLA Department of Mathematics)</p>
<p>Here’s the general list of AP credit (you can’t get out of physics or chem, but you might get out of English Comp 3)
[AP</a> Credit - College of Letters and Science - UCLA Undergraduate Admissions](<a href=“http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/APCreditLS.htm]AP”>http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/APCreditLS.htm)</p>
<p>If you google UCLA GE classes, the registrar’s office should come up with a pdf of all the GE classes offered. The orientation counselors would probably encourage you to take a GE Cluster. </p>
<p>Based on that, I’d say Chem20A, Math whatever, and either a GE (at least for first quarter), English Comp 3, or possibly LS 2.</p>
<p>i wouldn’t suggest taking ls 2, math, and chem 20a. that just seems totally unnecessary for fall quarter of your freshman year. there’s absolutely no reason you need to have all math/science classes (to start off - you will have to take a bunch together later on) and sure, there’s the possibility you do really well in all of them. on the other hand, you could be overloaded from the get-go and set yourself up to fail. i don’t know what kind of student you are or anything else about you, but i still say you should have a GE in your first quarter for sure</p>
<p>I don’t really know why anyone would be that opposed to orientation (besides serious money issues) I thought it was a good experience and it saves you the trouble of having to figure out A LOT of stuff on your own. Transitioning into college can be hard enough as it is, it doesn’t hurt to have people hold your hand through this process imo. </p>
<p>If you do decide to not go to orientation, those links listed above look really useful. </p>
<p>When would you be signing up for classes if you don’t do the orientation? They save spots for important classes for every orientation session; so supposedly, you should still have a shot at the impacted classes even if you’re doing the last orientation sessions.</p>
<p>Thanks for all of the replies!</p>
<p>@picklesandtwigs: thanks for the information. As a premed/biochem major, do you think taking “Based on that, I’d say Chem20A, Math whatever, and either a GE (at least for first quarter), English Comp 3, or possibly LS 2,” around those three classes this first fall semester will be good on track?
@yesprobably: contrary to pickles, would taking those three classes put me on the right track for my major? I’m not too worried about being overloaded, but i want to know some sort of plan of class-taking action
@neekzg: I’m actually not that against orientation, i would totally go, but i dont like the price tag and my parents don’t want to pay for it knowing that it is not too useful. I did not know that late orientation sessions still have a shot for most of the classes…</p>
<p>^ but that leads me back to my main point, is it worth going to orientation for? Rather than going on CC and the rest of the internet to find out what classes i need for my major/career path, do the people at orientation guide you through the class-taking process?</p>
<p>Definitely chem and math. The LS series just needs to be done by the middle/end of sophomore year for upper divs it look like, and you’re only required to take 2,3,4 so it doesn’t have to start fall quarter. A GE is probably the best idea for Fall, and you’d still be on track. The biochem link above has a 2 year schedule mapping out when to take what which quarter. </p>
<p>Orientations have a day dedicated to various workshops about majors, what classes you should take, major planning, research, which series you should take for what major, etc and your counselor will make sure you’re taking the right classes (they arrange an appointment with you to double check your plan). I remember going to a life science workshop and a research workshop (I’m neuroscience), but all of them are optional and I knew a few people who didn’t go to any of them. It might be nice to meet a few other people in your major (they make groups of around 10 per counselor and all the same/related major in a group). Going to an orientation doesn’t necessarily guarantee you the classes you need, but I don’t know how easy it’d be to sign up outside of orientation so I can’t say that it’d be any better.</p>
<p>Yes, the orientation counselors will go through registration with you. You will also have a chance to ask many questions, see the campus more thoroughly, and meet other new students. I would never say orientation is a waste of time. I went with my daughter when she was an entering freshman at UCLA and I think I can say our whole family found it to be very useful and enjoyable.</p>
<p>I’d go if you can. Signing up for classes for the first time can be really confusing/frustrating. It’s stressful enough as it is when you’re already getting help from the counselors lol</p>
<p>Thanks guys! I decided to just go signup for orientation next week (there goes my money haha)</p>