bostonbabi90

I am now registering for orientation and I wanted to know if I should do the Common Ground program. Is it worth it and is it a good way to meet people? How hard are the examinations? Do I have to take just math, writing, and a language? Also, should I attend the optional wednesday afterntoon activities? Thanks for all the help

vttxnh

I didn't think you could sign up for orientation yet, where did you find the info to do this?

stickmanftw

https://www.bu.edu/orientation/

Earlier yesterday it said May 9th, but I guess they changed their minds.

vttxnh

^Thank you for the website.

BUBailey

Do Common Ground! It's really fun, you get to do a scavenger-hunt type thing around Boston, and you'll meet a lot of people. If you don't do Common Ground, at least go on the city trips on Wednesday night. Wednesday night is really the only truly laid-back night at Orientation as you'll be choosing classes and learning about BU all day Thursday and Friday.

Examinations aren't too hard.

DJglover16

yeah I remember signing up for the Common Ground thing as it sounded pretty cool with nothing better to do that day of course. Turns out I didn't end up even going but I can't remember what I did instead. As I recall it was just really really hot or something and I didn't feel like it.

Nickel Xenon

Boston University Orientation - Packing 101

Are we supposed to bring all this to orientation? O_o

vttxnh

Nickel Z,
That is the packing list for the fall when you move into dorm. Orientation I remember you didn't need sheets.

Nickel Xenon

I was confused because it was listed under orientation.

DJglover16

yeah you don't need much. just basic hygiene stuff and some clothes.

kevster1001

So is it worth $30? An alternative I am thinking about is taking the Writing Test on Wednesday (so I don't need to take it Thursday) and in lieu of the Common Ground, I'd just attend the evening city excursion. Is attending either one enough, or should I take advantage of all the fun activities offered?

bitesizeemma

do you have to pay for the city excursion?

Nickel Xenon

Kev, what date are you going? I'm going June 11th. What's the writing test for anyway?

kevster1001

I know that for Common Ground, you have to pay $30. City excursion is free. So I'm thinking, should I take the writing test wednesday and go on the city excursion that evening, so I still get to have fun and don't take the test on Thursday? Is Common Ground that fun?

I am going for 3rd session. I still have school during the first one.

From BU: All students (except those entering the College of General Studies) are required to participate in the Boston University Writing Assessment (BUWA). If you are arriving early for University Orientation, you may take the BUWA on Wednesday at 3 pm. The BUWA is also offered on Thursday morning as part of the regularly scheduled orientation. If you are participating in the Common Ground Program on Wednesday, you will take the BUWA at its regularly scheduled time on Thursday.CAS Writing Program | Boston University

Boston University administers a writing assessment in order to receive a diagnosis of students' achievement level in reading and writing upon entering the University. The BUWA is a fifty-minute essay examination requiring you to read, summarize, and evaluate a short excerpt similar in kind and in difficulty to readings typically assigned in University courses. Students for whom English is not their first language will receive placement solely on the basis of the BUWA.

BUBailey

Common Ground is fun...but it's really up to you. Most people take the writing test Thursday, and if you have already taken it Wednesday the alternate activity definitely isn't as fun as Common Ground. It's like another information session or a tour of the FitRec Center.