<p>My D was accepted EA to Yale and is really looking forward to Bulldog Days. Apparently there is a Parent's Program. Has anyone attended in prior years and do you think it is a positive for the parents to attend? Should we (the Ps) plan on staying in New Haven near campus, i.e. does that add to experience? If yes, what is a good place to stay in New Haven?</p>
<p>Your input would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Don't know a thing about your college but I think you should go and enjoy the experience. Also learn about the surrounding campus, of course! You will have more conversation together later. Why would you debate going?</p>
<p>Don't misunderstand me, at least one of the Ps are going. The questions is whether or not we both go, as we have a younger S at home and would need to make arrangements for him while we are gone.</p>
<p>aha. At any rate please post the experience here for others, many would appreciate it. You could also check under individual schools section, I'll bump you up later if I'm on also.</p>
<p>UMDad, while my D was deferred EA then rejected last April to Yale, we did attend the accepted student open house events (similar to Bulldog days) at the three schools she narrowed it down to once acceptances arrived. These events were great and helped her decide where to matriculate (not an issue for you, obviously), even though she had aleady visited each school previously including overnights at two of them. At the April open houses it was different than previous visits in that I was not WITH her on campus because of all the planned activities for students and then different ones planned for parents. I went to all three college open houses and really got a lot of of it on the parent end too. In our case, only I went, not my husband, because we also had another child at home who needed a parent and all her activities back home, etc. My husband came for the move into college (left child home at friend's house as her school had started but not many of her EC had yet so that worked and it was only one night) and he came to Parent weekend with me too, as did younger child who had not yet seen sister's college at that point. That is how we did it. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>UMDAD,
We live nearby so we did not attend any of the Bulldog days Parent Activities, though my S. loved the experience. Yale does it's best to entertain Parents but be prepared to spend some time on your own. If you have not visited New Haven and Yale this may be a good opportunity for you. If you plan on staying downtown, the Omni Hotel is nice and within easy walking distance. There is one other downtown hotel, The Colony, but I know nothing about it.
If you both can't make it there is always the move-in days - with activities for parents
and parent's weekend in the fall - both were very enjoyable. If you do decide to come, I suggest you book early. I don't know about Bulldog days but I know that during move-in the hotels were busy. Some parents tried to reserve rooms for Parent's weekend only to find they were full two months in advance.
Congratulations on your D's acceptance. I'm sure she is very excited.</p>
<p>UMDAD...my wife and i both went last year...there's plenty to do for parents...some even brought younger children. don't expect to spend much time with your D. it's a great opportunity for her to experience life at Y in the company of students. As teefor2 said book early if you want to stay in town (you won't need a car once you're there). Colony and Omni are both OK and convenient. New Haven Hotel is a block or so further (in the direction of the Med school). NHH is fine...the neighborhood is not as nice. Not bad or dangerous, just not as nice. If you're used to city living, should be no problem...my wife and I stayed several days when S moved in last term.</p>
<p>I went with my daughter and my husband did not. In fact I went with her to all the colleges she was considering and he didn't. We had younger kids who needed a parent around. It was fine. It was easier for me to focus on her knowing that my husband was with our other kids. I think it would have been more stressful for her if we had both gone.</p>
<p>UMDAD--Echoing other posters above, you don't both need to go for your daughter's sake; since she'll probably stay on campus, you're not likely to see much of her anyway. The main reason for parents to go, I think, is to get to know the school if they're not already familiar with it.</p>
<p>The Colony is a really big dump. If you're going to stay in New Haven for Bulldog Days, your best bet would be at the New Haven Hotel or at the Omni, both rather upscale hotels, but much, much better than the other New Haven hotels. There also is a Holiday Inn adjacent to Broadway - I think it was just renovated, but I haven't been in it.</p>
<p>So far I've stayed at Omni, Courtyard Marriot (formerly Holiday Inn) and the Omni. The Omni is the nicest but the priciest. The Colony (yes, it's pretty dumpy) was the least expensive and very conveniently located in terms of walking -- Courtyard is kind of a distance and I had a noisy room and the hotel smelled bad. I noticed the hotels really hike the fees when they know the parents will be in town. I'd advise staying near Old Campus since that is the end of campus your child will be on and where registration is, etc. But it doesn't matter too much -- expect to walk a lot -- bring good shoes.</p>
<p>The Omni is by far the best and worth the bit extra, imo. The new Whalley Inn (formerly Holiday Inn) is ok in pinch, but very noisy - sirens all night long- as I think it's on the road to the hospital. If I couldn't get in the Omni, I'd stay at the Fairfield Inn across the railroad tracks on the other side of town,(not walking distance), but then we've always rented a car when we've gone. The Fairfield is your typical family hotel, but it's clean, cheaper than the others, has a buffet breakfast, and is very quiet.
I've never stayed at the Colony, but my daughter has when she's gone by herself. It's very well located (kids don't care if it's a bit old) and the people there are very nice. If kids under 21 stay there alone, they need a note from their parents in writing before they confirm.</p>
<p>We live right outside of New Haven and the posters are correct. The best places to stay are The Omni and the New Haven Hotel. THere is also a private club that rents hotel rooms. It's very old world--preppy. It's called The Quinnipiack Club, on Church Street. This is a great location. I wouldn't consider staying outside of New Haven . You must stay downtown!</p>
<p>We went last April.....really enjoyed the experience....kids do get to spend a nite on campus....they also have classes for them to sit in on....and they have 4 or 5 different lectures offered several times over the agenda by the most popular professors or on a specific subject.....last spring Dean Salovey did a great session on Emotional Intelligence, there was one lecture on black holes.....additionally, they have optional sessions for parents on financial aid, graduate studies etc....they had coffee for registration, Michelin Guides on New Haven (full of Yale history), a giant inflated bulldog in the middle of Old Campus.....tours of the Library and the Phys Ed facilities, Science Hill also.....we have stayed at the Omni which is very convenient for walking back and forth to the events....and we have also stayed at the Fairfield Inn, a Marriott hotel, located next door to the new Ikea Store....it is a drive to campus, offers a continental breakfast....water view of the sound.....great shopping.....</p>
<p>if your daughter is excited...and is open to your presence on the journey, then I say go and enjoy the experience....you will meet a lot of parents like yourself and perhaps even find yourself beaming over your child and her ability to carve a niche for herself at such a special place....congratulations on her early acceptance and her excitement about her future!! huge accomplishment!</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone. After intially making a reservation at the Marriott Courtyard, I have reconsidered and we are now staying at the Omni. This is our 1st trip when we will be staying in New Haven for a few days, so I thought we might as well stay at the closest/nicest/etc. The next trip we may stay somewhere else after I understand the "lay of the land." While I am there, I will check out the other hotels you have suggested.</p>
<p>Thanks again.</p>