<p>What meal plan would you recommend for a first-year? Any insight about specific dorms to choose or avoid? What is the best way to purchase textbooks? Do you have to use the college bookstore? Is there any kind of shuttle service to Newark, the mall, or Columbus?</p>
<p>nanekel:</p>
<p>We did the Carte Blanche for freshman year. I'm not sure it was the right thing to do - my son does not especially like the food and has (this semester especially) done some cooking on his own in the dorm kitchen. I do not know what he'll choose for next year, but I suspect it will be much less than unlimited. I also do not recall when you can switch meal plans - like could we have switched to a lower plan in between semesters? (Probably, but I can't remember.)</p>
<p>Here's what I know about freshman dorms:</p>
<p>Lots of kids really like the small houses (former frat houses) on the North quad. They are Beta, Kappa, Morrow, and Preston. They do not have a real close dining hall (but it's not like anything is very far away). I think the kids form pretty close bonds in those houses. My son thinks the rooms are too small (but I doubt he's been in them all though so I wouldn't put too much stock in that!!!). Those houses seem to fill up very quickly. A couple may be quiet/substance free.</p>
<p>East dorm is on the east quad. The problem (as I see it) with that dorm is that it is the only freshman dorm on that quad and so they might feel pretty isolated from the other freshmen. It is on the other end of campus from the rest of the freshmen housing. I know nothing else about it though.</p>
<p>(So far I'm not being much help!)</p>
<p>West quad is mostly freshmen in two buildings, Smith and Shorney. Here's where it gets tricky. Smith has been recently renovated and is really very nice. It has new furnture, new lounges, new bathrooms, everything really. But for some reason it has a reputation as a not-very-friendly dorm. Kids seem to keep their doors closed (the fact that they wildly swing shut on their own may have something to do with that). Anyway, my son lives in that dorm and <em>I</em> really like it; he's Ok with it (likes his roommate, appreciates that it's not run down, has a pool table, good kitchen, lucked out with a corner room with 2 windows...).</p>
<p>Shorney is the BIG freshmen dorm. Now, moms might not be thrilled about it -- BUT -- the kids love it. What else can I say? My son has spent most of his social time in that building rather than his own. The kids over there all get to know each other really well. It is the "fun" dorm (and probably noisier/more partying/etc). I just IMed my son and asked him what dorm he'd recommend for freshmen and he said Shorney. But, I know when I asked some kids that same question when we were exploring dorms they said north quad. </p>
<p>I always tell parents - we can't evaluate dorms in the same way kids evaluate them. While we may see tiny, run down rooms with bathrooms we'd HATE, kids see their friends, it feels like "home," and that's about it.</p>
<p>I have not found any better way to buy textbooks than the bookstore. My son has managed to get a lot of used books there. Shop early for best selection. When you move him in you'll take some time and go to the bookstore and get his books. That's probably the last time you'll have anything to do with textbooks. It's not the mob scene that I recall from my own college days. You can put money in a special account that your kid can only use at the bookstore.</p>
<p>There is a shuttle to Easton Center, and I think another mall (Presley or Priestly or something) too. I think the Easton one is on Friday nights and the other mall is on Sat afternoons. Kids need to sign up. My son seems to have enough friends with cars that that's how they get there. (No, I don't love that.) </p>
<p>The only other shuttle that I know of is to the airport at break times. That is a real, chartered, full-sized bus that they hire. The kids will get a schedule - you might try to get your hands on a copy of it for ease of making travel arrangements if you're going to need it. Basically it goes to the airport many times per day in 2 hour increments for a couple of days at the beginning and end of breaks. It is great and free.</p>
<p>That's it!</p>
<p>Well, that's all I can think of for now. Good luck!</p>
<p>Weenie,
A great resource as usual...thank you!! Do freshmen have any actual choice as to which dorm they'll live in? The only form I see in the packet talks about roommate/lifestyle preference but no place to indicate dorm preference. Is it just the luck of the draw? I kind of thought my DD might choose a quiet or substance free dorm and think she may regret not doing so but am letting her decide. She doesn't want to be a social outcast and I can understand that. The concern isn't so much what other kids do as it is her being able to get adequate sleep, which she has always had a need for.....and since swim practice is typically at about 6am, she will want to go to bed by 9 or 10, and I can see her (and everyone around her <g>) suffering if she's not able to do so. She did emphasize on her form that she wants to room with a swimmer, but I'm not sure she realizes how loud dorms can get even if your roommate wants to sleep too. She did mention if its a problem this year she can just request a single next year and I showed her the cost difference and suggested that she may need a better job than Dairy Queen if that's what she wants!</g></p>
<p>On my son's forms he could list his first 3 preferences. If you don't have that form maybe you should call. As I recall he listed two of the small buildings on the North quad (didn't get either) and Smith as his third choice. Actually I think the quiet dorms might be easier to get into.</p>
<p>I think all kids are surprised at how noisy dorms are. My son brought earplugs and used them for quite awhile, but I guess he doesn't any more. He has had a great roommate, so that was lucky. They clearly made an effort to match him with someone of similar interests.</p>
<p>My daughter was in Shorney her freshman year - second floor, right over the main entrance. "Yikes," I thought, "she will go crazy with all the noise!" Then we discover her room was right across from the bathroom - another huge noise factor.</p>
<p>Just as I was about to sympathize with her about the location, she turned to me and said, "What a great room, Mom! And I'm right across from the bathroom!"</p>
<p>Another lesson from my child on holding my tongue until I find out how she feels about a situation. </p>
<p>And it certainly helps that she's a sound sleeper!</p>
<p>Did you get the info on housing/meal plans after sending in intent to enroll and deposit?</p>
<p>rix: Yes, I believe so. (But my memory is shot - you might call.)</p>
<p>flatlander: That's a funny story. I am always amazed at how differently kids and parents (OK, usually moms...) view dorms.</p>
<p>My son did the 14 meals and money on the big red card ( I think it's 135.00 which more than lasted the semester).It was the middle plan. That has worked well for him. He's not much for a big breakfast. He had some fruit and stuff in his room. He mostly ate lunch and dinner. The money on the big red card was good for the food courty thing (Taco Bell etc). It was perfect for him.
Shorney seems to be a big party dorm. Very loud and very active. The north quad seemed much nicer.
I'm not sure you can really go wrong. It's been a great year for him.
I believe the info came after the deposit (in May or June) with a big packet on stuff. Questionaires and forms and such.</p>
<p>Rix---did your daughter decide on Denison?</p>
<p>Not exactly.... She deposited at Denison. If she can only go to Whitman if she starts in January, she may go to Denison. If she gets off the fall wait list at Whitman, I think she will go to Whitman. She's having a hard time with the idea of waiting until spring to start college. She should hear from Whitman about the fall within a couple of weeks and has until May 20 to commit to them. She feels good about both schools, and that she will be fine either place -- but she thinks Whitman is a better fit. A bit of a roller coaster ride! I'll post once the decision is final.</p>
<p>Thanks to all the regulars on the Denison forum -- I've so appreciated your good advice, and having a place to worry, celebrate, and vent!</p>
<p>Finally, a decision: D is going to Whitman for fall. She left a little bit of her heart in Granville (me too), but otherwise she is very excited. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this is the right decision for her. Best to everyone!</p>
<p>Rix -- Glad to hear that your D's college decision has been made. It sounds like it went down the wire.
My S chose Denison after visiting his top three choices. In comparing the schools' strengths and weaknesses, he learned a great deal about himself. Hidden emotions, hopes, fears, feelings of responsibility to his girlfriend., wanting to maintain closeness with his younger sister..you name it, it all came to the surface. Acknowledging all that emotional stuff made the college decision suddenly much easier for him. It's a pleasure to now see him so sure, confident, and happy about his future. Hope you and your daughter are enjoying the same moment of zen!</p>
<p>Not getting in to her first choice turned into a surprising learning experience. If she had gotten in to Oxy, she definitely would have gone there without much, if any, additional thought -- for better or worse. Having to choose between all the other schools turned into an opportunity for her, and she also went deeper into herself when considering all aspects of this decision. She realizes that she assumed a lot about Oxy because she was so attached to the idea of going there, and that some of those assumptions might have been flawed. She is more confident that she "knows" Denison and Whitman much better than she knows Oxy. The decisionmaking process was more difficult for her than for a lot of her friends, but I think she feels like she is making a more informed choice than some of them. It's like a huge load has been lifted from her -- she is beaming!</p>
<p>Rix,
While I'm sure we will miss you on the Denison board :-) I'm very happy for your daughter! It sounds like this was the right decision for her, and I hope she has a terrific college experience. I also hope she is able to continue swimming, and has a great time on the team!</p>
<p>Thanks. Same to you and your D. I'll be keeping my eye on the Denison swim team! </p>
<p>My D can swim at Whitman, and she loves the coach there. I was also very impressed with her. She's fairly young, up-and-coming, buliding the program (swam at Grinnell, came to Whitman in 2000 after coaching a year at Dickinson and a year at Bryn Mawr). They are opening a new aquatics facility this fall, which is exciting. The experience my D had meeting with the coach and some of the swimmers had a big impact on her decision. It's all so exciting, I'm not even thinking about how much I'm going to miss her when she's gone.</p>
<p>Congratulations to your daughter rix! Wow that was down to the wire! She'll do great and Whitman is a wonderful school.</p>
<p>Just got back from Denison for the pick up. Oh my gosh we had so much fun. Denison was just beautiful. Granville is divine. I wish I lived there! Last night we walked from our B&B down the former railroad track trail (nicely paved) all the way to Granville and then we walked the little side streets. I can not believe what a storybook town it is. It looks like a movie set almost! Such beautifully preserved houses.</p>
<p>My son was sad to leave. Most of the kids were gone. He can't believe how fast the year went. We had such a nice talk in the car (during the brief period he was awake...) about his classes and things he had learned. It was a LONG drive and too many trucks!</p>
<p>topping for Denison thread</p>
<p>We're visiting Denison next week. This is a great thread, very informative.</p>
<p>Good luck on the visit, binx. I don't know how you'll come in, but be sure to check out the little town of Granville. It's sweet. If you have any other questions just holler.</p>
<p>Its great to re-read this thread and others now that DD is actually a student. Weenie, I <em>so</em> agree with you about the town of Granville.........its adorable and I would LOVE to live there!! We have actually driven around looking at houses for sale. How's the year going for your DS?
Marcia</p>