<p>I was wondering what exactly goes on at orientation (besides registering for classes, I'm guessing)... Also, I heard that you get to register for classes slightly earlier if you have AP credits - true? </p>
<p>Is Orientation anything like ExploreSC? Do they have presentations/events? Are we staying in dorms?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Son just signed up for the June 7th session and he will be staying in the dorms. I have not seen his schedule yet but I know there are also Math placement exams to take in addition to registering</p>
<p>there's math placement exams? does everyone have totake them></p>
<p>they're online as part of your pre-orientation homework</p>
<p>is anybody else slightly nervous that they'll completely mess up the math placement exam? haha</p>
<p>haha yeah. I bet we're all just a bunch of calculus kids who are going to pass the AP test, yet are still worrying about placement :)</p>
<p>I always have issues remembering the really basic stuff. I over-complicate things like no other. lol</p>
<p>i actually AM worried about the math placement exam and with good reason- i'm in pre-cal and far from top of my class!</p>
<p>i havent taken math in a year! I got a 4 on the AP calc test though..</p>
<p>forgot it all :p</p>
<p>My S had orientation last spring in HI. It included all placement tests (except language, which was only available at USC). It also included advising & registration for all your courses. You didn't get to register any earlier due to APs, everyone at orientation registered at the same time. They spend some time telling folks about USC (with slideshow), have materials available for signing up for USC credit union, talk about managing your money & adjusting to college, give you info about your dorms & financial aid/merit awards, give info about various tuition payment options, let you speak with disabilities office (as appropriate), and have lots of staff on hand to answer questions you or your family may have. Oh yea, it also included a simple buffet lunch. Oh yea, they also had a few door prizes & trivia contest.
In HI, it all occurred in one day, morning thru early evening. At USC, it is two days. I attended with my S; hubby & D didn't come. S said it was a lot of "rah, rah, rah," but I was happy he got all his placement tests out of the way & registered. He saw many of his HS friends at orientation as well.
The placement tests are pretty straight forward & I believe everyone who took them (among the engineers) did fine--maybe one student had a bit of trouble out of several dozen.</p>
<p>Thanks for bringing that back to my original question! Any other experiences?</p>
<p>At USC, they provide an optional walking tour where you are entertained with traditional lore. There is an inspirational speech in Bovard auditorium by key people at the school. Pictures for your id card can be taken and made. We had a buffet lunch which was fabulous. At the lunch, you are seated with students in your major and your advisor. Enthusiastic questions were answered. After lunch, the advisor takes the group for personalized advising and registration. Parents convene with the USC Parent Group to be educated to the "Trojan Family" network and activities planned thorughout the year. We spent time in the bookstore, so I think my D bought a few of her books,USC binders and her USC clothing, which was a good investment. And, placement tests were taken care of with the remainder of the day. I'm sure we skipped some other seminars, as I remember it was a full day.</p>