Is housing at Jester for orientation a good deal & is family orientation worth the $?

hmf123 · 05-27-2009, 11:25 PM

I'm registered for summer orientation, and so far the plan was for my parents and I too rent a hotel near UT for 4 nights during the orientation time. Just found out that family orientation is paid separately from the student's (yes, a little late I know) and my mother is getting all mad about the $25 fee and so on, so I want to know does anyone who went through family orientation feel it's worth it??? At this point I'm thinking of signing up for housing, I checked and it's $133 which would be cheaper than having my parents rent a hotel for four nights. The way I see it, if I got housing, my parents would rent a hotel room the night before family orientation, and after that's over leave me on my own for the next 3 days then pick me up after orientation is over. So, want to know if anyone else feels the housing at jester deal is a bargain, and if it really makes things easier?

theloneranger · 05-28-2009, 01:14 AM

Yes it's worth it because you will be around the other students. It's not that bad in Jester, and it's definitely better than staying at a hotel and commuting to UT every day.

Family orientation, you're really just paying for the barbecue. If they don't want it, they shouldn't pay. It's pretty good though.

mkose1 · 05-28-2009, 02:05 AM

errr....this late in the game there might not be any housing available....

hmf123 · 05-28-2009, 07:53 AM

^I checked it is.

nunya · 05-28-2009, 05:42 PM

What goes on at family orientation? What takes 3 days? What are parents told that they don't already know? Are you saying the bbq is the only worthwhile event?

If the $25 goes toward the bbq then it better be really great bbq for that much but if it's to nickel and dime them, well, that's just wrong.

theloneranger · 05-28-2009, 10:07 PM

Family Orientation takes one evening. It doesn't really present new info if they've done their research. A lot of people are really hands-off parents and don't know what their kid is getting into, so it's good info for them to learn.

mkose1 · 05-29-2009, 12:30 AM

Then I say go for it, it would be alot easier to get to know the others in the class, that's why i'm staying in Jester for orientation...plus if you've seen the schedule they have you doing stuff at midnight or two in the morning, so staying off campus would be inconvenient...

socaldad42 · 05-29-2009, 02:06 AM

Is there a schedule posted somewhere? If oyu can send link, thanks

hmf123 · 05-29-2009, 08:54 AM

http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/nss...eAtAGlance.pdf

theloneranger · 05-29-2009, 09:21 AM

None of the stuff at midnight or two in the morning is mandatory, and a lot of people go out to parties instead of going to those events.

mkose1 · 05-29-2009, 04:43 PM

its not, thats good news, but still going out while staying with your parents isn't exactly a good idea, if your parents are anything like mine...but what exactly is mandatory or does that depend on your major?

theloneranger · 05-29-2009, 06:51 PM

It depends on your major for some stuff, but there are mandatory presentations and wing meetings you must go to, as well as info sessions for each academic department, meetings with academic advisors, among other things.

henryj223 · 05-29-2009, 07:06 PM

when you go to orientation, do they expect you to know which ones to go to, or will they give you a specific schedule or agenda that you have to follow?

theloneranger · 05-29-2009, 08:04 PM

You get a schedule that tells you what is mandatory for each college. If you are in a major with special requirements they will contact you beforehand.

nitinkarya · 05-31-2009, 01:11 AM

What if I need to change my major at orientation? I am going to be changing from engineering to college of natural sciences. How would I go about doing this? Would I notify them on the first day or when do I tell them (and who do I tell)? Also, do you meet with the financial aid people at orientation?