<p>K's first-year experience (FYE) program is very well organized and comprehensive. For more info: <a href="http://www.kzoo.edu/fye/index.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.kzoo.edu/fye/index.html</a></p>
<p>I don't recall the exact timing, but the fat packet of information for incoming freshmen was sent out early summer. Parents receive their own fat packet too. It's loaded with everything you need to know and more. It will include the summer reading book which will be discussed at length during orientation week. K brings the author to campus each year during that week too. You'll also receive the academic catalogue and will be instructed on how to pre-register online for your course preferences. You also may be instructed to take some online placement exams. That will be inputted along with other information about new students into a computer program that's been designed to determine each freshman's first quarter schedule. For example, S. is a fall athlete and courses were chosen amongst his preferences that didn't conflict with his training/practice schedule. During orientation (the week before classes begin), you will meet with your advisor and if changes need to be made, that will be done during the drop/add period.</p>
<p>Yes, room assignments do arrive later in the summer, around mid-August. In the meantime, we used information posted by the residential life department on K's website to start buying/gathering room essentials. <a href="http://www.kzoo.edu/reslife/FAQ.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.kzoo.edu/reslife/FAQ.html</a>
S. was placed in a two-room suite with a roommate which has a separate living room, bedroom, and semi-private bath with another suite. It's been really nice to have the extra space, but it also required a few more furnishings.</p>
<p>Hope that helps!</p>
<p>One more thing...if you have any interest, K's Land-Sea program that's held before orientation is an excellent bonding experience as reported by students who have participated. As I mentioned, S. is a fall athlete so he couldn't take advantage of the opportunity as it overlaps with fall training camp. However, his high school takes a similar trip every spring with a group of seniors to the same location, Ontario's Killarney Provincial Park on Georgian Bay. He had an awesome time so Land-Sea at K is highly recommended! <a href="http://www.kzoo.edu/landsea/%5B/url%5D">http://www.kzoo.edu/landsea/</a></p>
<p>thanks! that was helpful!
Landsea sounds like a great program, and I considered doing, but the extra cost was a bit much on top of paying for the school.</p>
<p>Our son got his packet a few weeks ago and has signed up for his seminar and class preferences on line. Nice system. We got the packet of information for parents late last week. Very informative, as expected. Now our son is looking forward to getting his roommate/dorm assignment.</p>
<p>If you haven't found the '07-'08 course schedule link on the website, it shows which courses will be offered each quarter, profs, # of spaces, etc. <a href="http://www.cs.kzoo.edu/regist/courseinfo/displaySchedule.php?yr=2007-2008%5B/url%5D">http://www.cs.kzoo.edu/regist/courseinfo/displaySchedule.php?yr=2007-2008</a></p>
<p>Unfortunately, room assignments aren't mailed out until mid-August. Freshmen housing will be in Trowbridge, Hoben, and a mix with upperclassmen in Harmon. S. had a two-room double in Harmon this year and loved it, especially for its convenient location next door to Anderson Athletic Center for his 5:30am workouts. <a href="http://www.kzoo.edu/housing/halls.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.kzoo.edu/housing/halls.html</a></p>
<p>Diane Seuss usually teaches one of the first-year seminars. She's K's writer-in-residence, a published poet, and an English prof. Her courses are highly recommended and very popular. She's actually a descendant of Dr. Seuss himself on his mother's side of the family tree.</p>
<p>Now that both students and parents have received their info packets, if you have any questions, I'd be glad to try and answer. One item you may have received is a list of local banks in Kzoo. Of the ones listed, I would recommend National City as they have an ATM directly on campus (no fees) and free/no fee checking accounts for students.</p>
<p>Thanks, GBAM. The little storefront bank in the same shopping strip a few blocks from where we live and where my son has his job at a video store is a branch of Mid America Bank. Coincidentally, a few months ago National City announced plans to acquire Mid America Bank in order to expand into the Chicago and Milwaukee markets. So I'm crossing my fingers that the changeover happens yet this summer so he can establish an account there and be good to go in K'zoo. That would be very convenient.</p>
<p>Once my son gets his dorm assignment I will be eager to try to get some additional information about the dorm he's been placed in.</p>
<p>Do you know how many kids bring bikes to campus, and where they store them once the snow flies? He's got an old bike he'd like to bring along (perfect for college because it works well but isn't really worth anything).</p>
<p>By the way, I encouraged him to participate in the class of '11 message board on the K College "moodle" website. I thought it would be a good way for him to learn about some of his classmates, and them him, since he isn't from Michigan and doesn't know another soul going to K. In response he gently pointed out that, independently, he had long since located and been participating in the K class of '11 Facebook site. To which, of course, my response was something along the lines of "What's Facebook?"</p>
<p>These kids can really make you feel old sometimes. :)</p>
<p>Regarding bikes on campus, S said lots of kids bring them, that the outdoor racks get plenty of use. They're not needed for getting around campus like at a big school so are used mostly for recreation, biking into town, etc. He said most kids just brought them into their rooms during the snowy months, some even taking the front wheel off and storing them under the bed.</p>
<p>Haha...cute story about your Facebook comment. Yeah, I think S joined once the deposit check was mailed. Funny, he said he's even been getting messages from new students...girls...already "networking" and they haven't even stepped foot on campus yet! :eek:</p>