<p>I am anxious to book flights, room and rent car for my D's move in. Does anyone know when and how Wellesley notifies new students about the dates and events surrounding move in?</p>
<p>The academic calendar for the 2012-2013 school year says that new students arrive on August 27th: [Registrar’s</a> Office Home Page](<a href=“http://www.wellesley.edu/Registrar/Menupage2.html]Registrar’s”>http://www.wellesley.edu/Registrar/Menupage2.html)</p>
<p>Hope this helps!</p>
<p>Hi - my D will be returning for her fourth year next year (doing study abroad right now), so my memory is a little foggy, but here’s what I can remember.</p>
<p>In July, I think, she received information on her dorm assignment and roommate information. They are given a box number for their mailing address which is good for all four years, so it works no matter where they live each year.</p>
<p>They have a special arrangement with UPS where you can mail boxes directly to the dorm in a limited time frame at the beginning of the year. The boxes can’t arrive too early. They send special UPS address labels each year for the beginning of the year for this time frame. Otherwise, they have to pick up boxes at the Wang, the student center, then carry them to their dorms.</p>
<p>D was in a triple her first year, and even though we arrived right when we were supposed to, she was the last one there. That’s because 1) international students move in earlier; and 2) her second roommate, who wasn’t international, had a family conflict with a sibling who was also starting school, so she got permission to move in early. It worked out fine (they got along great) but she had no choice about her bed. Also, her triple had two closets, and each girl had already put their stuff in each one, so D had to split her stuff between the two closets. </p>
<p>There is a very specific new student move-in schedule, with activities for the new students, and activities for the parents, and some activities are together. They had a very nice event in the chapel for parents, and a reception outside following where parents were instructed to say good bye and leave. I’m thinking this was around 4:30 pm? </p>
<p>They have a ton of activities during the first few days to keep them busy and get them oriented, and put them in little break-out groups so they can bond with a smaller group, and they also have freshmen trips they can sign up for in advance. </p>
<p>We had never been to Wellesley before - any of us. We ended up driving, even though it was almost 2000 miles, for various reasons (combined business trip and a vacation). If you fly, you may want to rent a car, since Wellesley is pretty remote. D does not have a car and manages via public transportation, and I flew out to visit her in December and just used public transportation. When we took her out, my H did the driving; the drivers in Boston are VERY aggressive and an out-of-state license plate doesn’t win you any sympathy!</p>
<p>If you do drive, when you move in, you will pull in front of the dorm (may have to wait first), unload the car, and then the car has to be moved immediately to a different area for parking. For us it was helpful that there were 3 of us - H drove the car, and D and I carried all her stuff from where we unloaded it on the curb into her room. </p>
<p>They have orientation helpers everywhere in color-coded t-shirts, helping students move in, check in, get ID cards, find their way around, etc.</p>
<p>We took pretty much everything for the year (winter clothes, etc.) but they don’t have a ton of space, so think about what you bring ahead of time. D uses risers for her bed and has storage boxes under her bed for out of season clothes and other items.</p>
<p>I found last year’s information on move-in and orientation; it may be helpful (and more current and accurate than my memory):</p>
<p>[Parents'</a>; Handbook | Wellesley College - Wellesley College](<a href=“http://new.wellesley.edu/esp/family/handbook]Parents’”>http://new.wellesley.edu/esp/family/handbook)</p>
<p>College_query - thank you soooooooo much. Incredibly helpful!!!</p>
<p>My d’s roommate was also completely moved in by the time we arrived, which was around 9am (we live locally).</p>
<p>that could be a good thing if the roommate would then want to help!!!</p>
<p>She had already left to go get her college ID – for which there was a big line…</p>
<p>Wellesley students are definitely the “get it done” types!</p>
<p>Thanks for college_query’s sharing! The information is very useful.
My D is also admitted to Wellesley. We’re now waiting for the I-20 form to apply for the visa. I am just wondering what types of winter clothes need to bring for my D.</p>
<p>The winters so far have had such varying weather, so you never know. But good boots (waterproof) are essential. D has both rainboots and boots for snow. If your feet are not warm and dry, it’s hard to be comfortable.</p>
<p>She likes layers for the cold, and scarves for the neck. She has a couple of the fleece-lined sweatshirt material jackets, and those are nice for in-between weather, and can also be layered under a coat if it’s extra cold.</p>
<p>hkmama - what is the I-20 card? (leaving the question up but think you must be international!!!) How exciting!!!</p>
<p>My D also will need Boston weather clothes. Using google maps, we noticed there is a huge mall and pretty much every other kind of store just down the road about 5 miles in Natick. D says she will get her roomie or other teammates to help her shop - those who already know what she would need to supplement her Texas wardrobe!</p>
<p>college_query - thanks for your sharing!!! Incredibly helpful!!!</p>
<p>maidenMom - yes, you’re right. I-20 form is needed for international student for visa application. My family will arrive in Boston a little earlier before the orientation. Maybe I can buy her some at that time. I will also tell my D to get her roomate to help her shop too. Just can’t wait to visit Wellesley!</p>
<p>Thanks so much College-Query - very helpful indeed!</p>
<p>The mall in Natick is very large; they have a Movie/Mall Shuttle available on Saturdays:</p>
<p>[Wellesley</a> College](<a href=“http://web.wellesley.edu/web/preview.psml?preview=true&rcFilePath=/content/departments/enteringstudents/articles/deanofstudents/Shopping_Tips.xml]Wellesley”>http://web.wellesley.edu/web/preview.psml?preview=true&rcFilePath=/content/departments/enteringstudents/articles/deanofstudents/Shopping_Tips.xml)</p>
<p>When I visited in December, I used some of my free time while D was studying to go shopping in Boston. Massachusetts doesn’t charge sales tax on clothing (they do in my home state) so it was a great deal!</p>
<p>No sales tax on clothes!!! Yes, my state charges tax as well so that will be nice!</p>
<p>glido, maidenmom and any other first-year parents - my daughter just finished her freshman year, so I am happy to be a resource to any of you. The move-in day is run very smoothly. We left Chicago on a 6 am flight, got into Boston at 9 am. By the time we rented the car and drove out and got checked in, it was 10:15 am. Daughter and I unpacked while husband drove to BBB to pick up bedding and Target to pick up the bike. We were largely unpacked by lunch, had lunch, returned to the room and did a few final things, and had time to walk around the campus, go to a convocation (during which the girls sit in the middle and the parents on the edges - oh, how I cried and how I didn’t want my daughter to see it!). We then went to the reception, said goodbye around 5:30 pm (they really do want the parents to leave). Husband and I had dinner in Wellesley and then got back to the airport for a 9 pm flight. I am very excited for all of you and your daughters!!</p>