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FAQ'S
Students
- Is Orientation and Registration (O&R) required for all students?
- Is it okay to come for only part of an O&R session?
- Will I be with my parents during O&R?
- Is there anything I need to do before I come for O&R?
- What do I need to bring to O&R?
- Do have to stay on campus overnight for O&R?
- Will my choice of courses be reduced if I come to a later O&R session?
- How does new student Registration work at St. Thomas?
- Who do we contact for more information?
- What if I am a transfer student?
Parents
- Is O&R required for parents?
- Will I have my own room if I choose to stay on campus during O&R?
- Will I be with my son or daughter during O&R?
Students
- Is Orientation and Registration (O&R) required for all students?
Yes, all entering first-year students are required to attend one of the six Summer Orientation and Registration sessions. During Orientation, students will be made aware of resources on campus, have a chance to ask questions they might have about St. Thomas, become better acquainted with the St. Thomas community, take placement exams, receive their St. Thomas ID cards, and also register for classes. Students will be expected to attend the full schedule of events on both days. Students who do not stay for the full schedule will be unable to register for classes at their orientation session.
- Is it okay to come for only part of an O&R session?
No. The information and experiences at Orientation and Registration are important for a successful transition to college. Students who do not attend the full schedule will be unable to register for classes at their orientation session.
- Will I be with my parents during O&R?
While there are times throughout the two-day orientation for students to get together with their parents, there are times when the programs are specific to either the parents or the students and we do keep them separate. It works best when students and parents follow their respective schedules. See the tentative schedule for more details.
- Is there anything I need to do before O&R?
Be sure to look over your First-Year Registration Guide, which is sent to you after you sign up for an O & R session. Take the Mathematics placement exam by first contacting the Mathematics Resource Center Director through the online appointment system at http://www.stthomas.edu/mathematics/marc/placement/
- What do I need to bring to O&R?
Be sure to bring the following:- Your First-Year Registration Guide
- Casual clothes and comfortable shoes
- Lightweight jacket
- Pens, pencils, notebook, and a graphing calculator for the math-placement test
- Spending money for the St. Thomas Bookstore, snacks, etc.
- Personal items if you are staying overnight, including shampoo, bathrobe, and alarm clock
- Do I have to stay on campus overnight for O&R?
While it is not required, it is recommended that students stay on campus. This allows more participation in the evening events and helps students get a better feel for the campus.
- Will my choice of courses be reduced if I attend O&R later in the summer?
Typically this is not the case. The curriculum is structured and the size of the incoming class is considered when choosing the number of sections for certain classes. We can assure that students will get the classes they need regardless of what session they attend in the summer.
- How does new student registration work at St. Thomas?
It is actually a very easy process. Towards the end of the second day, students, along with their small group, will meet with an academic counselor. He/she will walk the students through the core requirements and advise them on how to create a schedule suitable for that student's particular needs.
- Who do we contact for more information?
If there are any questions or concerns about the Summer Orientation and Registration Program, contact the Orientation Office, (651) 962-6051 or (800)328-6819, Ext. 2–6051, or email us at orientation@stthomas.edu.
- What if I am a transfer student?
Since transfer students have typically already attended a college/university orientation, we have created special one-day programs at the end of August that cover just the "nuts & bolts." - Will my choice of courses be reduced if I attend O&R later in the summer?
Parents
- Is O&R required for parents?
While it is not required, we highly encourage parents to register for Summer Orientation as well. We have a great program for the parents where they can attend informational sessions designed especially for them, talk with faculty members, tour the campus and hear the experiences of other parents during a parent panel discussion. For a small fee, air-conditioned residence hall rooms are available to parents who want to stay on campus during the orientation sessions. Parents who prefer private accommodations can make arrangements with an area hotel.
- Will I have my own room if I choose to stay on campus during O&R?
We do everything we can in order to give parents their own rooms when they stay overnight on campus and it usually is the case that they get their own rooms. If there are more parents than we have rooms for, however, then we do place parents together as needed. Parents who prefer private accommodations may also make arrangements with an area hotel.
- Will I be with my son/daughter during O&R?
There is both a parent schedule and a student schedule for Summer O&R. There are times in the schedule when parents and students are together, but there are also times when the students are with their small groups attending programs and having discussions geared specifically towards them. Likewise, there are times when the parents are together attending programs and having discussions specific to their needs. The experience of parents and students having the opportunity to do things alone and together help make Orientation and Registration a rewarding experience. View the tentative schedule for students and parents for more details.
