UT doesn’t open all the classes for registration during every summer orientation session. Different sections are opened in different times (during different orientations) to give all the students access to entry-level classes.
Advantages of 1st and 2nd orientation:
You can choose any FIG. In later sessions some FIGs can be full.
You might or might not get a spot in some popular foreign language class. Some classes will be already full because of upperclassmen who signed during Spring registration.
You might get a spot in some smaller UGS 302 class IF they open this particular class during your orientation.
Otherwise you can sign for classes you need during any summer orientation session.
Regarding orientation…last year the first sessions filled quickly, as people have said. However, if you were persistant and basically stalked the site, you could find an early spot. People changed sessions and spots opened up here and there along the way.
Hey guys, just a heads up: If you were offered waitlist/pace/cap, my friend logged onto her my status yesterday and saw that she was offered admission off the waitlist. She now has to choose a major from a list of available majors. She did not get an email about this, so make sure to regularly check my status!
@Victori1211 I think people who got admitted off waitlist can’t select a major until the 11th of this month or something. but yes, they were notified:)
Son got an email at 9:00 this morning to check his MyStatus…it says he’s off the waitlist and has to log in on March 10th to choose a major. Halleluia!!
Austin residents, your opinions are needed! Son was accepted and with this coming Friday as a school holiday, we are planning to visit campus. We will arrive Friday morning and leave Saturday late afternoon. We are just made aware that South by Southwest festival is starting this weekend! So, my question is: will it be a problem getting around campus? We have never been to Austin during South by southwest and do not know the proximity of things. Also, are there any hotels within walking distance (or a hop on the public transportation) to campus?
Any suggestions are welcome! Thanks in advance!!
There are numerous hotels within walking distance - Hampton Inns and Double Tree. The issue is that they may all be booked because of South by Southwest. South by Southwest does not directly effect the campus but it does fill the hotel rooms in the downtown area. You may have to stay away from UT and drive in. Also Pres. Obama is suppose to be here on Friday which will make it more of a mess. If the hotels around campus are full, there are many hotels north of campus off of I35. I would try that versus coming from the South. My recommendation is to start looking today and good luck! I hope you enjoy your visit.
@sunbeams We like the Arboretum and Domain area. It’s about 10-15 minutes from campus. We’ve stayed downtown by the university (the Hampton Inn at the University is awesome - and usually expensive!), at hotels on I-35 (the area is what my kids call sketchy), and prefer the Arboretum. It’s nicer and less expensive. Unless you can afford a hotel within walking distance of UT, you’re going to drive anyway, so you may as well drive a little further to a nicer hotel with a cheaper price tag.
A quick look at hotel availability on Friday night indicates that availability is quite limited and prices are inflated even as far away as Round Rock. I recommend that you book a hotel as soon as possible. Then check back frequently in case rooms open up and/or prices drop later in the week when people cancel. Good luck!
Parking on campus is always a challenge. Street parking is hard to find and usually not free. Parking garages are $3/hour; maximum daily price of $18. There are a couple off-campus parking garages. The best value we have found is Quarters Garage for $5/day. It’s located at 22 1/2 and Rio Grande.
Does anyone think that Enrolling now, before FA and Pres Scholarships have been sent out, could adversely effect FA and scholarships? The cynic in me has me wondering why give FA/scholarships if someone’s accepted the school before knowing their final cost.
@FloMoMom Thank you so very much for the info! There are no vacancies at any of the downtown hotels plus their price tags are just crazily high! So, we scratched that out! I will check out Arboretum and Domain area ASAP!
I talked to UT Austin visitor center and was assured South by Southwest festival is not effecting campus tours. We are very excited and are looking forward to our visit!
@TXDad56 - very good question! (You aren’t the only cynic)
Of course the entire March 10th date for the opening of registration for orientation just complicates things more!
Reading the stories of how the site crashed last year & earlier sessions filled up quickly… and this is, of course- also a date before we hear from other colleges on decisions.
Is there any possible way that you could visit later? During the festival, traffic will be a mess. We actually try to be out of town during this time. UT won’t be in session, correct?
@goingnutsmom According to UT visitor center, classes are in session and the festival won’t effect the campus except it will be hard to find hotels in the area.
Yes, we have second thoughts about visiting this weekend. May postpone to another weekend. Thanks!
Be aware that Obama and Michelle will be in Austin on Friday because they will be delivering speeches in SXSW. They are even doing early releases for schools due to traffic.
Is anyone else’s honors app still in review? I was accepted to Turing and Polymathic Scholars, but my Engineering Honors and Presidential Scholars applications are still in review.
Got admitted into COLA (BSPsych) today off of wait list. Very happy and looking forward to a great 4 yrs. Thank you to all forum members for some very helpful and informative posts. Hook 'em