Daughter will be in Morse and I know there is a reception at 4:00. Are there other parent activities that people stay for? We have a hotel booked but we only live a few hours away. Do people typically stay? I think my daughter will be ready to push us out and I was hoping to delay ripping that band-aid off… any insight welcome!
Is this a reception after the Saturday morning welcome/ceremony?
We were in an odd situation as it was Hurricane Irene arrival weekend (2011), so we hightailed it out of there after lunch on Saturday, as did most other parents. But as I recall, Saturday afternoon would have been the “natural” time to skedaddle in any case.
We left after last years’ Morse reception, around 6:00 p.m.; the reception was great. Many parents stayed that night in New Haven because there were some activities they chose to participate in the following morning. If my memory serves me correct, Yale recommended that parents leave after that morning’s activities.
We said our goodbyes after the reception and then headed home.
We moved her in, went to the reception at her RC and the next day returned for the Convocation and reception on cross campus. After that we left her to do her thing. If there were parents events, we didn’t go. She was ready for us to leave her alone so we did.
Here’s the program from a couple of years ago: http://yalecollege.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/COD-2014-COVER-sg.pdf
I think @Memmsmom has it pretty much right - move 'em in, go to the residential college reception, next morning go to the assembly and president’s reception, stay for lunch in the residential college if you like, then exit stage left.
If you are a golfer, don’t forget to bring your stix. The Yale course is listed in everyone’s top 100.
We stayed over night and went to convocation and the reception the next day. If you can do it, I’d recommend it. Then we had a little time to say good bye. I believe there are some other mandatory student things later in Saturday and they really want parents to leave before then.
We stayed overnight that first day. From the moment we got to campus (TD) many hands were on deck to help move stuff for and acclimate freshmen. The first day we did go to Walgreens or Rite Aid or whatevder for last monute things.
Next day there were some activities and we went while Yalies were at Convocation, then returned to TD. Son was like, oh, you’re still here? The reception is fabulous, don’t miss it. Lots to do in New Haven! Just don’t expect your student to hang out with you the whole time – if yours is like ours, he was more than ready to start his new life.
Super helpful. Thanks everyone
I’d second all of the above and add…
After we said our “goodbyes” I rushed back to the suite and gave one of his roommates hand written letters from us, the parents. It was easier to write some parting thoughts down as I was too emotional and didn’t want to attempt to say them, blubbering in the courtyard at Vandy. His roommate was happy to leave it on his pillow. That way my in person goodbye wasn’t as sad but we communicated our squishy parental love in a more private way.
We got a text on our way to Newark saying how touched he was…
Tearing up thinking about it now…bring Kleenex!
Thanks everyone! I have been wondering about the schedule.
Per my daughter, it is suggested that parents leave by 2pm on Saturday - of course, she said this with a ‘feel free not to stay that long’ look. She would leave today if she could.
Middle dd wanted us around for everything “parent” related.
When her dorm meetings started, she basically wanted us out, but wanted hugs. So we hugged her and left.
DS wanted us gone before we got there.
We left after Freshmen Assembly, and lunch at the RC.