Some Early FAQ's

I just thought I'd get some early, and common, FAQ's out of the way. These FAQ's are coming from my e-mails (I'm a student contact for College of Science freshmen) and some things I thought of when I was a new freshman at Tech.

1) What dining plan should I choose?
Well, that really depends. What I did was the first semester, I had a Mega Flex plan (commonly referred to as "the big plan") and ended up with a LOT of money left over. While I generally do eat three meals a day and get snacks or late night ice cream/coffee from Deets from time to time, I found I normally at breakfast in my room or on my way to class. So I wasn't buying breakfast every morning.
If you're really committed to eating a full, big breakfast every morning (i.e. you're a cadet or an athlete, or heck, just really love D2 breakfast--you'll see what that's like at Orientation), a Mega Flex plan is for you. If you're like me and tend to shovel a bowl of cereal or a granola bar/pop tart down your throat on your way to class, stick to the Major Flex plan (the "normal plan").
If you're still not sure where you stand, you can do what I did: see how it goes with the Mega Flex. If you end up having a lot left over, switch to the Major Flex for the spring semester. Your leftover money will roll over into the spring semester.

2) Do I have to go to Orientation?
Orientation is very strongly suggested and encouraged. I personally think that unless you're going to be out of the country for the entire month of July or traveling to Blacksburg will be
very difficult, you should go to Orientation.
If you absolutely positively cannot go, make sure to contact your college's Dean's Office in order to make arrangements for class registration.

3) When do I sign up for football tickets? Can I get season tickets?
I'll answer the second question first: Freshmen cannot get season student tickets to football games. This is a privilege reserved for returning students. You will get an e-mail near the end of your freshman year about ordering season tickets for the following football season.
That being said, football tickets at Virginia Tech are given out as the result of a lottery. I'll discuss this again in August, close to the date of the first lottery. It does not matter when you sign up for the lottery, as long as you do it within the time window given (generally two days). The dates for the lottery will be posted later in the summer, most likely in August.
If your family is planning to come down for a football game, you may order tickets through www.hokietickets.com.
I'll address the ticket situation later on this summer, especially what to do if you don't get a ticket.

4) What kind of laptop should I pick?
The type of laptop you use during your college career is going to be a personal choice. Department and college-specific requirements are here under the "Getting Ready" tab.
If your department doesn't have a specific requirement, pick the system (Mac or PC) that you're most comfortable with. Personally, I used a Mac through all of middle and high school, so I'm acclimated to the system, and all I ever use my laptop for anyway is to check my e-mail, write papers, and blog.
You'll be able to pick up the required software for your computer during move-in, on Torgerson Bridge (that archway over Alumni Mall, accessible through both Torgerson Hall and Newman Library).

5) When do I find out where I'm living and who my roommate is?
Freshmen housing assignments are posted on HokieSPA July 31st. Generally they go up in the mid to late afternoon. If you end up meeting someone at Orientation who you'd want to live with, you both can contact the housing department and request to be roommates.
Freshmen will be living in nearly every dorm, except for New Res East, Payne, and Harper. When your housing assignment is posted, they will give you a map of your dorm and the dimensions of your room.

That's all for right now. I'll post more as the e-mails come in.

Have a great summer everyone!