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DO I HAVE TO ATTEND ORIENTATION?
If you are an undergraduate freshman OR transfer student
enrolling in classes for the first time at the University of South
Carolina, you are expected to attend Orientation. At Orientation you will
familiarize yourself with USC, meet with your academic advisor,
and register for classes.
WHAT IF I'M TRANSFERRING FROM ANOTHER USC CAMPUS?
Students who are transferring from another school within the
USC system (Aiken, Beaufort, Lancaster, Salkehatchie, Sumter,
Upstate, or Union) should contact David Hunter in
Regional Campuses and Continuing Education (davidh@gwm.sc.edu
or call 803.777.9450).
WHAT IF I'VE PREVIOUSLY ATTENDED USC?
You will need to attend another Orientation session if one or
more of the following statements are true: Since your previous enrollment
at USC,
1) you have changed your major
2) it has been more than one year
3) you have attended one or more other institutions
If you are being re-admitted to the same college and major as your
previous enrollment, which was no longer than one year ago, orientation
may not be necessary. Simply contact your advisor to arrange for
advisement and you may register for classes on your own.
ARE GRADUATE STUDENTS REQUIRED TO ATTEND ORIENTATION?
Orientation sessions sponsored by the Office of Orientation
and Testing Services are for undergraduate students only. However,
graduate students may be required to attend an orientation event
through their respective departments. You should contact The Graduate
School (http://www.gradschool.sc.edu/)
to find out what is required of you before you begin your USC Graduate
program.
IS ORIENTATION REQUIRED FOR MY PARENT OR GUARDIAN?
No, the Parent Orientation program is optional; however, it
is highly recommended for the parents of all first time college
Freshmen and for the parents of Transfer students.
Please note, Parent
Orientation is only offered druing Summer Orientation.
WHAT IF I WANT TO CHANGE MY MAJOR?
If you would like to change your major, you must contact the
Office of Admissions at 803-777-7700, or toll free: 800-868-5872
or e-mail to admissions-ugrad@sc.edu.
You can go ahead and sign up for Orientation if your intended major
is in the same college/school as your former major, as your available
dates will not be affected. However, if you wish to switch to a
major in another college or school, you must take care of that first
before signing up for Orientation.
CAN I MAKE CHANGES TO MY ORIENTATION REQUEST AFTER I HAVE ALREADY
REGISTERED?
Yes, but only
up to 72 hours prior to scheduled Orientation date. You may make changes to your Orientation request by logging
onto VIP, accessing the Orientation menu, and choosing “Modify Orientation
Request” at the bottom of the page. You may add a parent or change
your overnight request. You may also switch Orientation dates by
selecting a different date from the drop-down menu; only those dates
that have not yet been filled will show as available. Feel free
to contact the Office of Orientation and Testing Services at
uscorientation@gwm.sc.edu
or 803-777-2780 if you need any additional assistance.
WHEN DO I HAVE TO BE THERE? WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
Summer
Orientation check-in is at 8 am in the Koger Center for the
Arts.
August, January, and Summer School Session I Orientation
check-in is at 9:30 am in the Russell House University Union.
Orientation sessions will last until the late afternoon. You
should bring the following:
* Orientation Confirmation
* Copies of transcripts with other college credits
* Copies of AP/IB test scores
* Copies of immunization Information (if not already
mailed/faxed to the Thompson Student Health Center)
* A valid photo ID
* Social Security Number
* VIP Personal Identification Number
* Wear casual, layered clothing and comfortable walking shoes
* Umbrella (optional)
WHAT HAPPENS AT ORIENTATION?
Summer
Orientation lasts from approximately 8 am to 5 pm.
August, January, and Summer School Session I Orientation lasts
from approximately 9:30 am to 4:00 pm.
You and your parent(s) can expect to meet with a student
Orientation Leader who will share pertinent campus information
as well as answer any questions you may have about coming to the
University of South Carolina. You will have the opportunity to
get your student ID made, register for parking options, and
either directly speak with or have spare time to meet with
representatives from several campus departments such as: Student
Media, Student Life (including Student Government Student
Organizations, and Greek Life), Housing, ROTC, Chaplins, Career
Center, Financial Aid, Dining Services, and the Alumni
Association. Most importantly, you will meet with your advisor
and register for fall classes.
WILL THERE BE A TOUR OF CAMPUS?
Campus tours are not a part of the Orientation schedule. If
you would like a tour of campus, please contact the Visitor Center
at 803-777-0169, or toll free 800-922-9755, or visit their website
at http://www.sc.edu/visitor/.
HOW DO I KNOW WHAT CLASSES TO CHOOSE?
When you come to Orientation, you will meet with an academic
advisor who will help you choose appropriate courses for your major
and select your schedule. You will register for classes after having
met with your advisor. Orientation Leaders will also be on hand
to assist you.
ORIENTATION IS A ONE-DAY PROGRAM, BUT WHAT IF I NEED TO STAY OVERNIGHT?
If you need to arrive early to take placement tests or due to
your travel schedule, you may choose to stay either on or off campus.
On-campus lodging is available at Capstone House, a suite-style
residence hall, for a fee of $25 per person per night. Be aware
that campus accommodations are very basic: sheets, pillow, blanket
and towels are provided, but there is no television, telephone or
computer access.
Overnight accommodations are not provided for August, January,
or Summer School Session I Orientation.
Click
here for a list of local hotels.
WHERE CAN I FIND ANSWERS TO MY QUESTIONS THAT ARE UNRELATED TO ORIENTATION?
Use the
Carolina Virtual Advisor
to search through answers to hundreds of questions.
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