<p>I'm asking this because I'll want to try to snag cheap plane seats for D way ahead of time if she's going.</p>
<p>With her ED acceptance letter D received an information packet about a two-day (Monday and Tuesday) April accepted students overnight. Her first reaction was that she didn't need to go (she already loves the school and has visited multiple times), she would have to miss lots of classes shortly before APs, she would miss two practices (team sport) during an important part of her season, and it didn't make sense to fly almost 500 miles each way to be on campus for a half of each of two days. Commendably practical and responsible...</p>
<p>My initial reaction, on the other hand, was that it would be a fun way to get to meet her new classmates, see what the campus is like when the college is putting on a show for accepted students, and celebrate the next big step in her life. She's already enjoying checking in with her new classmates on their Class of 2011 Facebook group. </p>
<p>I thought I'd see whether I should gently revisit this issue with her after the New Year. Do any of you have experiences with similar accepted students' programs? Is D likely to regret not having gone (and, if so, just a little bit or a whole lot)?</p>
<p>These sessions are not required, but can be beneficial. My D met so many of her fellow freshmen to be who she met again at freshman orientation and who have become close friends this semester. I remember her calling me on her cell from the top of Science Hill after she bought a lunch from the burrito cart to tell me "Mom, this is where I belong. I just know it."</p>
<p>Wouldn't these be more important for kids who weren't sure where they wanted to attend? She'd probably meet some future classmates, but I'd guess there'd be a lot of undecided kids too. This might be money and time you (and she) could save.</p>
<p>Yes, they often are intended to expose potential pre-Frosh to the campus experience and to persuade students who may be still in the decision phase. My D found that many of the students who attended BullDog Days (Yale's admitted students days) had already decided to enroll and came to meet their classmates early.</p>
<p>My daughter only went to one accepted students day, which was then the college she chose. If she hadn't attended it, she would have dithered and dithered and eventually come to the same decision. The visit was good, in that she met friends with whom she is very close now and also showed her that college was going to be challenging, exciting, and fun. Since she chose a college that NONE of her high school peers may ever attend (mostly due to location), this helped her overcome fears about being far away from the familiar.</p>
<p>we both went to three accepted student days- The most helpful visit was the one to her reach & 1st choice school.
When looking at a school from the eyes of someone who doesn't think they could afford it, even if by some twist of fate they are accepted, is much different than knowing you are both accepted and are awarded money.
You are able to look much closer and while it wouldn't necessarily change your decision, it may give you information that will be helpful early on.</p>
<p>I'd love for DD to go to the one at Penn State...but it only lasts about 5 hours one day. She's not sure it'll be worth taking a whole day off from school and the 3 1/2 hour drive each way. I'm still working on it.</p>
<p>I'd only send my kid if he was undecided. In no time flat you'll be at the early summer orientation - then you know everybody there is actually attending!</p>
<p>Have her enjoy her last HS days with her friends. Most of the friends will stay fairly local. She'll have 4+ years to get acquainted in her new environment. Our kid arrived at the night of the second day of frosh orientation, no facebook then, new city, he managed just like millions did before him. Frosh orientation was also a extra manadatory fee of a couple hundred bucks. And a later flight mid week flight rather than a weekend saved us a couple hundred buckos.</p>
<p>Grace, my son was also an ED admit. Attending accepted student days was not as option for him as we are thousands of miles away from W-Town. He hadn't done an overnight either so First Days/Orientation in August was really his first total immersion experience. It worked out fine.</p>
<p>Williams First Days -- notably the WOOLF trip and other bonding experiences -- are really exceptional. The entry system as well creates a instant group of 20 or so if not all best friends at least companions for dinner and social events. [I don't know if my son was profoundly lucky or if this is the norm, but his first year suitemates have turned out to be his best friends!]</p>
<p>The JA's are also amazingly accommodating in easing the transition to college life and making sure that kids get settled in, meet people, learn the ropes.</p>
<p>So I'd be of the opinion that she give this event a miss and enjoy her last semester of high school and her last spring at home with her family without additional pressure. She's in, relax and bask in it!</p>
<p>Tying this into other threads relating to financial issues I would highly recomend attending for those not ED although it can be a wonderful experience for all. CPW in our case convinced me, DD had chosen the right place. Over 34 hours of travel, little sleep, 3500 miles from home and a completely foreign world and DD had a smile from ear to ear when we meet up after three and a half days on campus. That smile convinced me she had chosen well. Last final today and she still has that same grin. So I am really glad we went and ended our merit aid/fit issues.</p>
<p>Thanks to all of you posters. Since she's made up her mind (and is bound by ED, but without regrets, in any event) and since fit or worries about leaving home aren't questions, it's sounding as though my wise D was right again. Giving this opportunity a pass, knowing that there will be a great orientation in August, is probably the better part of valor with all that will be on her plate in April. (Of course, one squeak from her future teammates and she might change her thinking!)</p>
<p>I'll look into getting her a school t-shirt or a little something in her new school colors (or ice cookies in those colors) around the time of the accepted students' weekend -- just a little something to keep the celebration going and to stave off any regrets.</p>
<p>Thanks for your help. Sometimes we parents need a little help restraining our enthusiasm.</p>
<p>Have your daughter check with the college to see if the college has a First Year Experience program for frosh immediately before the fall term. If they do, I would let her do as she wishes for the accepted students program. FYE's are very nice because the students get to move into their dorms early, meet room/floor mates before the course crunch begins and they have the opportunity for group building activities.</p>
<p>I second originaloog's post. My D went to Bulldog Days at Yale last April, already knowing she was going to attend. She had a good time, but her best experience was on the FOOT (freshman outdoor orientation) trip in August. I was surprised that she wanted to go, since she's definitely not a hiking, sleep-in-a-tent type of person. But she had the time of her life and made some wonderful friends.</p>