Accepted Students Day/Scholars Dinner?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Clark University
1

<p>D got the mailing about the accepted students' day and the dinner for the Presidential Scholars, of which she is one. The only one she could attend is the one over Presidents' Day weekend (HS play will occupy one of the April weekends and Coachella, for which she's already received a ticket for her 18th birthday, is the other). </p>

<p>Clark is in her top 3, and she may have a hard time making a decision. We'd like to send her for the dinner and the following day, but we're in California, and because it's Presidents' Day weekend, the airfare is really high, and we can't use miles.</p>

<p>To those of you who have attended these things (especially the Presidential Scholars' gathering), was it worth it?</p>

2

<p>re-4emb, as you know, S loves Clark. He is a Presidential Scholar who never attended a dinner. He did attend 2 classes on a personalized visit. I think that helped his decision.</p>

<p>Longish story:</p>

<p>One year later, I am laughing. I don’t remember anything about a dinner for Presidential Scholars, although S is one. There may have been dinner, but S did not attend. He does not enjoy ceremony. Probably my fault. I don’t much like it either. Dad likes it less. At this point last year, my dear, dear Presidential Scholar son was So Done with the whole college app process!</p>

<p>I did tell him that he was expected to attend an Accepted Student day. We attended. I recall a silent car ride and a big negative attitude. He was pretty sure he wanted to go to Clark and I was hopeful he would get excited about it. He was more interested in a frisbee event with his friends. </p>

<p>As we entered the busy room where professors had visual displays and were available to chat, DS looked daggers at me. This kid has excellent refusal skills. I was ready to grab him by the ear and walk him over to the time-out corner. I felt that he should still be invested in completing the “process.” We nearly had a glaring contest, fangs bared, in the middle of a lovely reception room.</p>

<p>Instead, I tried to act like a mature adult, took a deep breath and began babbling aimlessly with a young woman representing the international studies stream program. I had no idea what the program was but I knew I didn’t want have a public argument with this kid who was so tired of the college process. </p>

<p>Magic happened! S looked at the young woman and tried to salvage my incoherent attempt to ask intelligent, meaningful questions. He spoke up and clarified what she was telling me. Attitude gone! He went on to have great conversations with professors of film and poli sci. The sun came out and the day was warm. Must have been April.</p>

<p>I did not make him stay for the panel discussion or whatever followed. I did make him take a detour to a Trader Joe’s on the ride home, since we did not have one in our state. My revenge. He got a bag of cookies for the ride home. The sun was out and the day was warm. Mood lightened. We headed north toward Maine where the frisbees awaited. As we crossed the Portsmouth, NH bridge, the fog loomed big. Maine was cold, gray and totally fogged in.
That sunny Worcester day sure confirmed the decision! </p>

<p>I would suggest that you choose a personal visit at a time when the airfare is affordable. Clark does not mention overnight visits on their website, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they would arrange one.</p>

3

<p>Ha ha, Merlin, great story! I can just picture the whole thing. And we Californians have known for many years that Trader Joe’s cookies (especially those little oatmeal chocolate chip ones) solve all problems.</p>

<p>My D wants to go and likes those kind of panels and talks, but she doesn’t feel it’s essential. We’ll wait until next week to see if she gets into another school she’s keen on, and if they give any money.</p>

<p>She’s already visited and gotten a pretty good sense of the place. It’s more whether the song and dance for the scholarship students, as well as the full admitted student day, is worth it. Sounds like maybe not.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

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<p>And life in Maine has gotten a little sweeter. There is now a Trader Joe’s about 20 minutes from my house! And there’s one 4.6 miles from Clark.</p>

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<p>4.6 miles… the fact that you know that means you are a true TJ junkie! I just made dinner from almost all Trader Joe’s ingredients.</p>

<p>My D says she doesn’t think it’s worth the money to fly out for President’s Day. She’ll do the Clark Conversation with the local alum instead and get any questions answered.</p>

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<p>The reason I know the distance from Clark to TJ’s is because S texted and said he needs more snacks. I encouraged him to get to TJ’s, as opposed to Walmart. This kid knows the value of whole food and the value of a dollar!</p>

<p>BTW, this is no reflection on the Clark cafeteria. This kid works out daily and eats massive amounts of food. Usually I send him with lots of food, but the car space was limited.<br>
And you are right; I am a TJ’s junkie!</p>

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<p>I will tell D that there’s a Trader Joe’s. The two things California kids miss the most are In 'n Out and TJ’s. It’s a selling point that Worcester has one… might help tip her toward choosing Clark!</p>

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<p>Trader Joe is something I’ve never heard of before. I guess it’ll be something I discover when I arrive in America. Along with Walmart and Whole Foods.</p>

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<p>Dre, Trader Joe’s is a chain of small markets that specialize in quality wines, cheeses, meats, nuts, vitamins, and a vast array of mostly great prepared foods (soups, pasta sauces, pizzas, sandwiches, salads, etc etc) at rock-bottom prices. Most urban Californians would starve without it. My college D, who’s now cooking for herself, lives on TJ’s. I told my prospective Clarkie that there’s a TJ’sin Worcester, and she said, “That does it, I’m going there!” (With a laugh-- she doesn’t actually know yet.)</p>

<p>Walmart… eh, I’ve made it a personal goal to never shop there, although I had to once in an emergency when traveling. I think it represents what’s not so great about our country. As for Whole Foods, it’s dazzling and wonderful for the food lover, but it’s very expensive.</p>

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<p>Totally agree with researching… about Walmart and Whole Foods. There aren’t a lot of Trader Joe’s where I live, but I do love them. The best, I think, is in Cambridge, MA, which is huge and has a fantastic wine dept. including the infamous 3 buck chuck line of wines.</p>