Getting ready for move-in

Colleges and Universities A-Z Pomona College
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<p>Have any of your kids received any info from Pomona by snail mail? A while back I read somewhere on the website that orientation info would be sent out in Mid-June. S has received nothing since his acceptance by mail. He finally got into his Pomona email the other day for the first time (thanks to the info that was posted here by rickmanfan – thanks!) and said he had only one(I think) email from them, but nothing about orientation or classes or orientation trip, etc.</p>

<p>He or I will need to call the school on Monday because yesterday we did receive a letter from “Collegiate Concepts”, which looked like an ad. It was addressed to our address, but with another student’s name. I opened it to find info on renting a MicroFridge, including a letter from the Housing Director (to “Dear Student”). So somewhere S’s address has been mixed up with another student’s. Has anyone else had a similar problem? Has anyone received orientation info or any other info? Thanks!</p>

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<p>BengalMom, after her acceptance letter, our daughter also received a letter confirming her commitment deposit, a letter from the theatre department, and her summer reading book. Yesterday she received her updated financial aid packet. My husband and I also got a letter from President Oxtoby regarding an upcoming fundraising project. If your son hasn’t received anything via snail mail, I would definitely call and ask if there is a mix up. Good luck. (Glad the email info worked!)</p>

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<p>Today we got the same 2 pieces of mail as rickmanfan (solicitation and financial aid update), but there’s been very litttle sent directly to my D, and none to us, outside the formal acceptance papers. *(And she didn’t get the collegiate concepts mailing, which is fine.) It sounds like other people are equally in the dark, which is a relief to me. Apparently we’re not missing anything :slight_smile: I think the kids get a lot of info on facebook, but my D isn’t very actively pursuing it. That’s why I love CC; it allows parents to obsess without disturbing the child, who is blissfully pursuing summer! </p>

<p>So here’s a Pomona student guidebook that I stumbled across: [Welcome</a> and Introduction to the CLASS of 2014 - Pomona College](<a href=“http://www.pomona.edu/administration/dean-of-students/new-students/guidebook/introductions/welcome-and-intro.aspx]Welcome”>http://www.pomona.edu/administration/dean-of-students/new-students/guidebook/introductions/welcome-and-intro.aspx) There’s a lot of new-to-me info about August 22 activities, the dorm rooms, etc. Perhaps it will be useful for some of you, too.</p>

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<p>FauxNom, I could swear I looked at the website earlier today and that information wasn’t on it! Great stuff in the sidebar links, too, including “Parcels can be received beginning August 10th” Thanks, I might not have checked the website again for a week or so.</p>

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<p>We have received no other snail mail except the College Concepts thing and the financial aid mailing today. The College concepts letter also came to the wrong name at our address - it looks like it went to the person right after my D in alphabetical order. I called the housing department at Pomona to make sure that they had the correct info for us, which they confirmed. I guess the College Concepts person misaligned their Excel spreadsheet for the mailing.</p>

<p>My D received the following email (to her personal email address - not Pomona’s) yesterday: </p>

<p>I hope you are enjoying your summer, and I look forward to seeing you soon. I am writing to let you know that the 2010 New Student Guidebook is now on the incoming student website. Please go to:</p>

<p>[Welcome</a> and Introduction to the CLASS of 2014 - Pomona College](<a href=“http://www.pomona.edu/administration/dean-of-students/new-students/guidebook/introductions/welcome-and-intro.aspx]Welcome”>http://www.pomona.edu/administration/dean-of-students/new-students/guidebook/introductions/welcome-and-intro.aspx)</p>

<p>This Guidebook contains important information about life on campus (from how to mail packages to yourself to what you may want to purchase and the different kinds of campus and local transportation available), important academic information for planning your courses and schedules, and general tips regarding life in Claremont.</p>

<p>I also want to remind you that the Alcohol.Edu on-line education program is now available. You can check out the information on the MyPomona (Through the Gates) portal. Please follow the directions listed on the portal for how to access the class, and remember that completion of the on-line class is required before you arrive at Pomona (the deadline for the alcohol.edu class is August 20th).</p>

<p>As you know, several deadlines for forms or other items have already passed. If by any chance you have not yet submitted those forms or required items, please do so ASAP.</p>

<p>For questions about any of the forms or the list of things to do, or other kinds of information you have received, please email us (<a href=“mailto:studentaffairs@pomona.edu”>studentaffairs@pomona.edu</a> ) or call us (909-621-8017).</p>

<p>Take care and see you soon!</p>

<p>Dean Feldblum</p>

<p>Miriam Feldblum
Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Professor of Politics
101 Alexander Hall
Pomona College
550 N. College Ave.
Claremont, CA 91711
Email: <a href=“mailto:miriam.feldblum@pomona.edu”>miriam.feldblum@pomona.edu</a>
Tel: 909-621-8017
Fax: 909-607-7288</p>

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<p>So the email was the big reveal for the guidebook, which I stumbled upon through casual googling :slight_smile: The Pomona website seems to be full of info, but on any given day I seem unable to find anything useful. Then some gem like the student guidebook will pop up. </p>

<p>Don’t know if anyone else has missed the health form, so I’ll mention that one. We had seen reference to a physical exam form that students need to submit, although I don’t think D ever got any specific email about that. Her portal was not taking her to the supposed location of this form. But yesterday, there it was. She had already done a sports physical, long before this form was discovered. Time to get in touch with the doctor again.</p>

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<p>My son’s financial aid acceptance form came indicating acceptance from his name but the wrong address! I had a moment of thinking, “Are there possibly two students at this school with this name”. But no, it was just a clerical mistake. </p>

<p>I was really beginning to wonder myself about courses and other details until we received an email with the student guide book link included. It does take quite a while to pour through it but it seems like the covered most of the bases. Which is a good thing because I have experienced the same thing of one time finding something on the website, and then the next day, it is gone! Or trying to remember which of the multitude of drop down menus are going to show where the meal plan we ordered is located!</p>

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<p>Rickfanman, here is the wall tape which is recommended:</p>

<p>[The</a> Container Store > Command™ Adhesive Poster Strips](<a href=“http://www.containerstore.com/shop/office/messageBoards/accessories?productId=10005180&N=64182&Nao=32]The”>http://www.containerstore.com/shop/office/messageBoards/accessories?productId=10005180&N=64182&Nao=32)</p>

<p>Command Adhesive Poster Strips—and they are even on sale!</p>

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<p>I recommend getting to orientation practically as soon as it opens. They day we moved in my daughter started off nice, but the heat gradually climbed to 101. There was breakfast, coffee and juice available and bottled water. There were lots of tables set up for things like info from the chamber of commerce, the parent association, security, etc. We went around and picked up that kind of stuff while she waited in line for her ID and room key.</p>

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<p>There was an incorrect address on our financial aid form, but we got a letter today correcting it. </p>

<p>Calmama, thanks for the tape info! It got much better reviews than the other product I was looking at.</p>

<p>Twomules, good to know about getting there early from someone who has been there done that. Thanks!</p>

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<p>Thanks for posting the info on the poster strips, Calmama. I was looking at Command products the other day and didn’t know which to buy.</p>

<p>twomules, I was hoping we could get there early because it sounds like there is a lot to do right away. Thanks for confirming this for me (so S won’t just think I’m being anal about getting an early start. ) :)</p>

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<p>BengalMom, somewhere on some form they might say that tape and tacks are prohibited, but in my four years at Pomona I found that ordinary blue painter’s tape is the best for putting up posters and decorations. It doesn’t damage walls or posters and doesn’t leave a residue either.</p>

<p>On another note, I am so JEALOUS of all of you(r) kids who are about to start at Pomona! I just graduated in May and have been going through severe Pomona withdrawal. They are certainly in for an unforgettable, life-changing, amazing four years!</p>

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<p>Thanks for the blue painter’s tape idea chopsticks. That will be less $$ than the 3M stuff. Any other tidbits you can throw our way??</p>

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<p>Hmm, it’s been a while since I moved in for the first time, so it’s hard to say. I would recommend bringing along a fan or ordering one for pickup in the area in advance of arriving because, as you might imagine if you know SoCal weather, in late August fans tend to sell out. Otherwise, you can get anything else you need at the Target in Montclair or San Dimas. There’s also a mall and a Costco in Montclair, about 2 miles from campus. A few miles further east, there’s a Bed Bath and Beyond in Ontario. Of course, if you don’t have a car or a rental car on move-in day, all of this information is a bit irrelevant.</p>

<p>My advice: Relax. You don’t have to account for everything you’re going to need and want immediately. If your (child’s) sponsor group is anything like mine was, or like my second one when I myself was a sponsor, multiple Target runs are going to happen in the first few weeks, and also continuously through the year (the trouble with Claremont is that no mass supermarkets/superstores are available within walking distance, so carpools to Target are often arranged for basic necessities like shampoo, snacks, etc.). So just remember that things don’t have to be perfect right away and enjoy the time you have left with your kids before you leave!</p>

<p>If you have specific questions about move-in day, or really anything about Pomona (can you tell I love the place?), please ask me or any of other knowledgeable people on this board! You can also PM me if you’d like.</p>

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<p>Thanks so much chopsticks :slight_smile: Great advice and you will probably be hearing from us via pm.</p>

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<p>And don’t forget that Pomona has a thrift store (Re-Coop) right on campus that will be open on move-in day - so convenient! According to the website, it has pretty much everything a student could want, including couches, fridges, fans, futons, televisions, rugs, storage bins, etc. Take a look at the photo in this link. We’ll be heading there for all the larger items our daughter will need. Dibs! :oD</p>

<p>[ReCoop/Clean</a> Sweep - Pomona College](<a href=“http://www.pomona.edu/administration/sustainability/programs/recoop.aspx]ReCoop/Clean”>http://www.pomona.edu/administration/sustainability/programs/recoop.aspx)</p>

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<p>Thanks for that link, Rickman, and for the sound advice, chopsticks. I read the “how much did it cost” thread on the parents forum, and shudder when I think about how much money people waste on compulsively shopping to outfit the college dorm. It doesn’t have to be perfect from day 1, and it’s fun for the students to do this in collaboration with their roommates. The thing to keep in mind is that everything we send with our kids has to be dealt with in some way at the end of the year. I’m really glad the students came up with Clean Sweep, but even better to just take/buy only what each student needs to feel comfortable.</p>

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<p>I like chopsticks advise about everything not having to be perfect, and FauxNoms comment about take/buy only what you need. The only thing my daughter is taking an excessive amount of is underwear, because I know she’ll visit the laundry room as little as possible - LOL!</p>

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<p>We want to ship out bed sheets for my daughter’s move in— we can catch good sales here in nyc/long island. can anybody tell us what size the dorm matresses are?</p>

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<p>ayzdad, the mattresses are twin extra long.</p>