@twinsmama I thinking there is a difference in the extent of drinking culture by school. Ours have been at 4 colleges, and only 1 has had a pervasive drinking culture. This is one of the reasons our daughter transferred after sophomore year.
As far as our kids being prepared for college, for the most part yes. But we had some unexpected learnings over the years. Our oldest struggled to do well in large lecture style classes after his high school years at PEA. Our daughter thought she wanted to be a sorority party girl in college- but ended up hating the lifestyle. Our 3rd kid is still in early days of college-but overall he seems to be happy at his school. Last one just submitted her Early applications this week. Nothing constant but change.
Older daughter attends a “top ten” Party School (how’s that for a list to be on?..sigh), but 7D2’s school (not in any of the main “top 10 party school” rankings that I could find) definitely seems like a work hard-play hard sort of place. As with her studies, I think being an athlete helps keep a lid on things…though she reports some teams are dry and others are not.
At the schools my kids attended/attend, weed is as popular or more popular than drinking, honestly.
Hands down most excessive out of control drinking I witnessed was at last year’s Yale Harvard game. I was pretty shocked to be honest - a steady stream of atv ambulances with dangerously wasted kids passed us in the tailgate area. It seemed even the Harvard marching band had a few too many before the game. Ewwww
Hello… Haven’t been here in a while. DeweyKid is doing really well at LAC but trying to transfer out for a better fit. We’ll know next month. Younger kid didn’t get FA to attend the same boarding school (that stung) but is doing incredibly well. On one of the top robotics teams in NE, and was just accepted to Maine Coast Semester Program at Chewonki for next year with a special merit scholarship. I couldn’t be more proud and … that’s Putney’s loss. Side eye. 
I’m realizing that many college calendars are winding down over the next few weeks (because I have to plan for pickup of 7D2) and curious to hear how other 2018/2022s fared in the first year post-BS.
As far as I can tell, both my kids made a fairly seamless transition to college life. They seem happy and confident. I think they have both found good friends (very sure daughter has, son says he has but is pretty much incommunicado about his life, so I have no idea who they are). Son decided last year not to go pre-med and will almost certainly major in poli sci. Daughter ended up in a program and major we wouldn’t have predicted (very business-focused), but she loves it. She has to take way too many classes, though, which doesn’t leave room for much else. Both kids have jobs lined up for the summer, and daughter also gets to spend a month in France over the summer perfecting her language skills. All in all a good year, I think, and I can hardly believe it’s over. I haven’t even adjusted to them being in college yet! Other parents, please share!
@jdewey: Thacher often sends kids to Chewonki. It is supposed to be incredible!
@twinsmama: Thanks for sharing!
My BS 2018 had a good year overall, I think…with some highs and lows along the way. For the most part, I think she was able to keep her head above water academically and has a major (and minor!) in mind. I forgot some of the drama that can go on during first semester, when many kids are just experiencing life away from home for the first time.
7D2 does not have any firm summer plans yet, with the exception of trying to get her drivers license (FINALLY!). She does want to get a paying job — but maybe not in the dishwashing trade this time. With her older sister headed off to grad school, I’d like to get as much family time in this summer as we can.
Where the rest of the BS Class of 2018 at?
Oh, yeah, my kids have to get their drivers licenses, too… 
DS has had an ok year; after a rocky start that included the tragic death of a close friend from BS and some resulting struggles with mental health, he seems to have pulled things together. He is playing sports, joined a fraternity, and seems to be enjoying class. He discovered in BS that he is a people person and enjoyed his role as student body president. And, now, he is leaning toward a government major, with maybe environmental policy/science mixed in. His grades aren’t great and he has a lot of stress right now as they begin finals. He has a summer job lined up at his BS (3rd year in a row) and he seems to be excited about it. Looking forward to having everyone at home in August.
@hellomaisy Clicking “like” isn’t exactly very nuanced; “like” is obviously not for the more difficult events of the year, but for getting through it all and making a place for himself.
@twinsmama I agree and concur… and I prob did not sound as positive as I could; he’s been really happy with his group of friends he’s made and is looking forward to the summer and next year. He remains confident in his college choice (despite the rigor) and has found his “people”. These BS connections they have to each other remain so strong even a year out… and were critical in helping him (and others in the group) get through the grief. (A good number of them will be back for graduation and/or reunion in a few weeks.) It’s all good. Thanks!!! Miss chatting with you!!
I can’t wait for DS1 to come home from Carolina! It was awful not having him home for Thanksgiving. He had a bit of a rough start himself. Grades were quite poor first term, I think that after all the BS rules of the first year he kind of went a bit wild with all the freedom. I thought that BS kids were more prepared! Anyway, he thinks this term will be much better and he’s all prepared to make some money this summer. He comes home for the summer in two weeks; I can’t wait!
Crazy that I’ll be sending of DS3 to BS in September.
Seriously hope he’s OK just heard about the shooting
@jdewey Thanks for asking about my son. The shooting happened on the Charlotte campus of UNC. My son is at the Chapel Hill campus; about three hours away. Still, very scary!
Yes I eventually realized that after I posted. It’s a rough moment, hold them close!!
Beginning the updates on transfer applications. One wait list at a last minute school with low interest and an acceptance with great aid at a school that is rapidly becoming a favorite! A few more to go in the next few weeks but I’m surprised by the change of interest towards the accepted school. Even if they get offers from the other schools (which are incredible schools) they may choose this one, which they seemed soooooo uninterested in before. It’s pretty fascinating to observe that. Im hopping in the car now with garbage bags to move them out of their dorm.
Deweykid is all done with transfer process, enrolled at Brandeis for the fall (which was the new favorite). Living off campus so that’ll be interesting.
Congratulations @jdewey !
My cousin went there and calls it the greatest place on earth!