<p>Is anyone attending Orientation on 7/13-714 besides my daughter and I (LOL)?
It was the only time we could do it due to vacation plans, work, etc. When you go tell the rest of us what is was like! Also, has anyone taken the online Placement tests yet? Were they easy to take using the Internet?</p>
<p>Once again. How was Freshman Orientation last week?</p>
<p>We just got back from Freshman Orientation July 10-11, and it was great. The orientation was very informative, and everyone was very helpful. I met up with Financial Aid and Student Health Services while I was there, and got everything straightened out that I needed to. Everyone was so nice.</p>
<p>My daughter had a great time, and she is all set to go. She has all her classes scheduled, but she does not know where she will be rooming yet. </p>
<p>Loyola had the entire 2 days all scheduled out for you - with the students doing their thing and the parents doing other sessions. They gave the students and parents this huge folder with tons of info in them with the schedule for both days. After the first few sessions, you split up with your child but met up with them later in the afternoon the first day and then you split up again. The next day, the students were busy in the morning meeting with their advisors and giving their housing requests, and the parents had sessions to go to if they wanted to. We missed most of the second morning sessions (which are very early sessions) because we didn't stay overnight and didn't get back until later Tuesday morning.</p>
<p>Since the weather was good (just hot) on Tuesday, they had an Open House outside in the Quad area with all different tables for parents and students to get info or to sign up for different groups. </p>
<p>It was all done by 1:30 the second day.</p>
<p>So she is all set. She met alot of new friends and said she loves it. When we got back on Tuesday, I found my daughter in a group of kids and she seemed very comfortable being there. The kids are in the same group throughout the orientation so she made friends quickly from her group since everyone is in the same boat. </p>
<p>I feel really good about Loyola and about her decision to attend. I think she is going to do very well there.</p>
<p>We go tommorrow. Thanks for your feedback. Its sounds very organized and I am looking forward to it. My daughter is excited but scared which I think is normal and it sounds like Loyola goes out their way to make you feel comfortable. She is a little shy but the small group format will help her make friends. Sara has done all her Placement tests so she just needs her schedule which she gets on Friday. The freshman year is pretty locked in schedule wise. My understanding is they will find out where they are living and who their roommate will be by early August. I recommend that your daughter contact her roommate as soon as she is assigned. As you know I went to Loyola so even I am excited about the next four years. It was a great four years and I stilll am in contact with about 15 of my friends at Loyola 32 years later so Fr. Linnane wasn't kidding when he talked about "friends for life". On the other side I haven't talked to my high school classmates in over 20 years. I have gone to my 20th, 25th, and 30th Reunions at Loyola and my roommate at Loyola is now on the Loyola Board of Trustees. It is going to be hot both days wiith a 60% chance of storms so I don't know how much of it will be outside. My wife can't go because of work so I will be going by myself and spending the night in the dorms (Aah the memories LOL). I know your daughter will love it there and tell her to look up my daughter Sara C. when she gets there.</p>
<p>Yeah, we couldn't stay overnite because we have a younger son at home.
But it should be fun for you. And since you will be there on Friday AM, you can catch all the early morning sessions that we missed ... lol</p>
<p>Have fun and I hope the weather does hold up for you guys.</p>
<p>Just wondering how your daughter is doing at Loyola so far? My daughter lives in Hopkins Court. My daughter was shy and not into a big social life. Now , she has opened up, has made new friends and they go to the Inner Harbor and other places alot. Keep in touch.</p>