<p>I don't mean to hog the board, but we thought of another question. Does anyone have experience with the "Engaged Living" option, which combines classes with housing? Is it a good way for freshman to make friends and become involved?</p>
<p>Momdoc,</p>
<p>My daughter, a current freshman, participated in the Philosophy Engaged Living program this year. She wasn’t sure if she really wanted to do it, but decided she’d only sign up for Philosophy and if she didn’t get it, oh well. I believe that was one of the best decisions she ever made. It seems to us and to her that the Engaged Living kids are those that want to be very involved and aren’t scared of getting involved in different things. They all lived together in Poteat, which is a nice dorm with large rooms. They mix up all the engaged living kids, though, so she doesn’t have a room in the middle of the philosophy section. These kids seem to be more conservative than most - she said that she doesn’t know of a single person in her dorm that “parties”, unlike what she thinks is in Lakeside Housing. The kids are VERY outgoing and friendly and she thinks they are almost all the typical overachievers. Beyond that, though, she LOVED the engaged living part of her program. Her class was just first semester and they went on a lot of Saturday morning hikes into the mountains together with their professor. She really enjoyed that part, and they even did something together just a couple of weeks ago, even though their class is over. I’m not sure that there is going to be Philosophy next year - I think they change them around, but at least they start off having a class with kids they’ve already met. Anyway, it was well worth it for her just to be in with kids like her. She’s commented several times that she’s so glad she got into the program.</p>
<p>Both our son and daughter, like SouCarMom, have been a part of Engaged Living this year and and felt it was a good decision. They have loved their dorm-though I believe the Engaged lLiving Program may be moving to a different dorm next year. The RA’s and FRAD’s ( assistants to the RA’s) have been great - according to our kids and our two have met a number of kids they share many common interests with ( not even in the Engaged topic they chose).Ironically, our kids were encouraged to consider Engaged Living by a mom ( and subsequently her daughter) that we “met” through CC! </p>
<p>I would encourage your daughter to apply for the program-having a group of kids plus a faculty mentor is a wonderful advantage as you begin your freshman year in college.</p>