People who went to ConnectED (the pre-orientation for people accepted under early decision) in the past or those who are deciding to go this year in February- do you think it’s worth it to go? I know that you’re only allowed to go to ConnectED if you’re early decision, and not the one in April that everyone else goes to, but I don’t know if it’s worth the plane ticket and overnight at a hotel for just a couple of hours at Penn. Unlike the regular visit week in April, which is like 3 days (or so I’m told). The only fear I have is missing out on making connections and friends that everyone else will have (if they attend ConnectED/pre-orientation) when they attend in fall.
Thoughts?
My son is in the same place. He’s particularly disappointed that students won’t get to go on housing tours. It would be great to find out whether or not the effort to get to Philly for one day is worthwhile.
I went to ConnectED last year and, other than getting a t shirt and other free stuff, I don’t think its worth it to come from super far away. I don’t know anyone who really made any close friends or anything like that. Everyone meets people and friends in the fall during freshman orientation and mostly during the first semester!
Thanks. It’s pretty expensive to travel down, plus not sure how being in Philly (former Philly native) will be mid-Feb. Wish Penn would let these ED kids go to Quaker Days in the spring.
@hannahhhh thanks for your info. I was looking over the schedule from last year and a lot of it feels repetitive from the material/resources you can find online, the only thing I would really miss out on would be the socializing stuff, but like you said, there’s always fall semester to really get to know people.
Can students also go to the Penn quaker day if they were admitted ED?
Apparently and unfortunately not.
I’m lucky because I only live two hours away. I feel bad for others who will have to fly from the other side of the country. If you can afford it, you should come. If not, then don’t. You should be fine either way.
My understanding is that Quaker Days is a recruitment tool in that it’s held before the May 1 deadline for RD admits who have not yet necessarily committed to Penn. This is why the college makes a bigger deal about it. Since ED students have already committed, Penn holds a separate ConnectED which isn’t a recruitment tool and is more a "yay we made it in!’. My S is going because we live very close but I don’t know how worth it it is for those farther away. I have heard of some kids traveling far and loving it, but that’s going to be individual. I think if you wanted to see housing, though,couldn’t you ask admissions if there is a way you can independently see housing options?.
Regardless, I think your main way of meeting people is during Freshman orientation/first semester, and of course online via FB and other social media.