<p>Hi to all,
I'm a parent new to CC. Our son has just been taken off a waitlist for a Spring admit for Jan 2011. It's a school with about 1000 freshmen. He'll have to attend a local JC for the Fall. We have a few reservations, such as being the new kid in the dorms, possibility of being a little behind in academics behind his classmates and missing the orientation week activities. Anyone out there had any experience or advice for us. Or anyone out there are in the same situations as us. Any advice is greatly appreciated. I've loved reading this forum for the past month and have learned a great deal from all the folks out there.</p>
<p>I would think that missing out on the fall orientation activities would be a big deal. Those are icebreaker events to make new friends. I would be concerned that at a smallish school, many will have formed friendships during the fall. </p>
<p>Where else was he admitted?</p>
<p>Some schools have a fairly large “midyear” cohort that enters together. I think this is to fill in the spaces left by all the second-semester juniors going abroad.</p>
<p>Can you find out how many freshmen will be starting in the spring, whether the school offers a mid-year orientation program, how housing works, etc?</p>
<p>DeskPotato is correct. In many schools there is a great deal of comradeship amongst the mid-year admits. They have their own orientation program and are usually dormed together.</p>
<p>I like the advice above. 1) Find out how many midyear admits the school has. 2) Find out if there is an orientation for them, do they room together, etc. 3) If no midyear orientation, can he go to fall orientation?</p>
<p>Does your ds want to take the spot?</p>
<p>My son was also admitted as a spring admit - January of 2011. According to the admissions counselor he will be one of 300 spring admits, they will have their own orientation and his roommate will also be a spring admit. </p>
<p>He is going to take classes at our local community college so he will not be behind the other kids in credit hours and he will also be working part time to save some $$$.</p>
<p>At first I was a little unsure of the spring admit but thinking it through - it may be a good thing! One parent (of another spring admit) said it’s great not to have to deal with the huge fall orientation process with thousands of other kids. It also gives my son a few more months to work ($$$), and to mature. In my college days everyone graduated in 4 years or less; seems like today alot of kids take 4+ years to graduate so even for the kids that don’t take fall classes - it won’t be too unusual. Also - some kids take a ‘gap’ year - I am thinking of this kind of like a ‘gap’ semester even though he will be taking classes.</p>
<p>My sons first choice was his spring admit college and I think it is the best school for him so I am happy about it!</p>
<p>Thanks to all that responded.<br>
Charlottemom - Glad to hear that we’ll on the same track. My son is planning to go to our local JC in the Fall too. We’ll contact admission to find out more about orientation and housing arrangement. Since this school has about 1000 freshmen each year, just not sure how many may be Spring admit.</p>
<p>Just want to add that I actually don’t think missing out on the fall orientation activities is a deal breaker. My son came down with swine flu his very first week at college and missed some of the early activities - including the club and activity fair, a concert, etc. It all worked out. If you love the school - I’d say go for it!</p>
<p>Larger schools have bigger Spring Admit groups so they have a well-planned spring orientation. I don’t know how much a smaller school would have since they would be admitting probably a smallish number. But, ask and find out.</p>
<p>I would advise, that after following the other stellar advice already offered, that once school starts; your S look for clubs and activities on the website in which he is interested and email the contact people. If he can build up a rapport with people in his chosen ECs prior to arriving to campus he will be a few steps ahead socially.</p>
<p>Congratulations and best of luck!</p>