<p>Commencement is the next weekend and the Monday after that.</p>
<p>It seems there are a lot of activities. What sessions are "must-have" for parents/relatives in your opinion?</p>
<p>Will the city be packed with visitors? Is it better to avoid driving around campus/downtown during that weekend? Is it difficult to find a restaurant without a reservation in advance? Is there a lot of walking involved? How formally do parents/students dress themselves?</p>
<p>We are going to stay in a Residential College arranged by the college because the nearby hotels like Omni, etc., will charge an arm to stay there during this weekend. Frankly, it is also because we are almost broke after paying for 4 years :( Thanks to Yale's generous FA in the past two years, the last two years are not so bad; but the first two years really hurt.</p>
<p>We would appreciate it if some of you could share with us your past experiences.</p>
<p>Congratulations! Rest up - it’s a wonderful, long weekend. Musts: Class Day (Sunday where all the graduates sit with their friends…parents/families just find seats) and Graduation (Monday) < both the part on Old Campus(tons of graduates of Yale College as well as graduate/law, etc. schools) followed back at your child’s residential college where your child (and the other 100 or so graduating seniors) is handed his diploma by the Master and the Dean. This is personal - your child’s name, major and magna cum laude stuff are said. It is a BIG photo op. This “small” graduation is followed by lunch (usually at 1PM, so you’re starving) in the residential college’s dining room. THEN, you hit the road unless your child’s major’s department gives a reception then.</p>
<p>Re: Class Day and Graduation on Old Campus. The chances of your glimpsing your child are slim. Soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the experience. There are Jumbotrons (spelling?) which show the speakers, stage and views of the graduates and crowds. You might see your child as they come in since they come in by residential college.</p>
<p>What do you do on Saturday? There is a reception for all the graduates and their families given by the Yale President and his wife on Saturday late afternoon at their home. It’s beautiful but the party is mostly outside. You’ll be walking there too- it’s up Hillside near the Admissions office. Your child’s major’s department usually gives a nice little reception as well. I think we did that after the graduation lunch on Monday.</p>
<p>Look nice but wear very comfortable shoes all weekend. Re: the President’s Reception - you are mostly in his gorgeous backyard so heels would just sink in the lawn. On Old Campus you’ll also be on a lawn. Think flats ;-)</p>
<p>Relax and beam!</p>
<p>If you want to make a reservation…you could try for a Friday evening dinner when you arrive. The restaurants know we parents are coming…I had to pay $20 on my VISA for each person in my party to secure the reservation. I think we might’ve done lunch before Class Day with another family at a Thai restaurant…</p>
would love to hear their future plans.</p>