<p>My daughter received her packet of information today. I may be an idiot, but I am having trouble understanding the declining dollars accounts. Can someone explain this to me? Also, I would love more info on which meal plans end up being the best value to freshman who are not particularly big eaters but like to snack.</p>
<p>On another topic, can someone tell me how late UR classes run the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. If I can book now, I can get my daughter a great flight and fare home.</p>
<p>She cannot have an all declining plan since she is a freshman but there are the choices of the small declining portions with the club meal plans. Basically declining is a set dollar amount that she can use for food that is not clubbable- which includes food at the corner store and at the Starbucks(?) and various other foods.</p>
<p>The latest time a class can go is until noon but most people don't go to class that Wednesday unless it is a required class.</p>
<p>Get the smallest amount for your club plan/dining options. We just picked up our oldest son from UR and have to buy up the store with the $300 remaining in his declining dollar account. He just finished his sophamore year. His freshman year finished up the same way. When my son and husband were in line to pay for the food, one of the students there said that $300 wasn't too bad since he had $600 remaining on his account! BTW, the Common Market will give you a 10% discount on bulk purhcase, e.g., a case of ice tea.</p>
<p>For Thanksgiving, we usually book an airline ticket early in the school year before details of the classes are in. We usually book a flight on Wednesday afternoon just to be on the safe side. The Student Activity Office ran a continuous bus service (at least for Wednesday and Sunday that we know of) for the students going to and from the airport, which is only about 10 minutes away. I hope they continue to do so.</p>
<p>Anyone know how easy it is to get to the train station from Rochester? Do they have a shuttle to it too? D may be taking a train for Thanksgiving to somewhere that we can pick her up.</p>
<p>Chedva,
I do not know if there is a shuttle to the train station for the Thanksgiving break, but the station is about 15 minutes driving away. You may want to stop by the SA office to check when your D move onto campus in August. Your D may need to call a taxi for the 4 mile or so distance.</p>
<p>Checked on mapquest.com, and the train station is .8 miles from the Eastman school downtown. It is possible that the downtown bus may brings kids fairly close to the amtrak station.</p>
<p>Forgot to mention one thing - train schedules. The trains stop at the Rochester station only twice a day, I think. Very early and very late. Best consult the train schedules.</p>
<p>As far as Thanksgiving goes, S would ask his professors each year if there would be class on Wednesday (he'd ask at the begining of the year). Even if the professor said yes, and we bought a late Wednesday ticket, classes were often cancelled closer to Thanksgiving. And about the train, D often took the train from Syracuse through Rochester to Buffalo. The train is usually late. Last trip 3 weeks ago, 2 hours late. If time matters, it's risky.</p>
<p>OK, another question, this time about Christmas break. Do professors usually give out the exam schedule at the beginning of the year? And do they stick to it so we can book flights out before the 21st?</p>
<p>Chedva,
I don't know specifically about Rochester, but I know that a lot of schools publish their exam schedule along with their regular academic calendar even before the beginning of the semester. Professors are required to stick to the schedule so as not to create conflicts with other exams. Once you know what classes your daughter is taking, you'll be able to determine when the exams are going to be held. The only thing you won't know is whether the professor will decide to give an exam or not. (Most do, but she might get lucky!)</p>
<p>Rochester's exam schedule will be published on the academic calendar when taking a class. At times the location or time will change, but the date is kept the same for the most part. And, as skie mentioned, you may be able to be exempt from an exam if the professor says you can skip the exam if you have an A average or so.</p>