<p>DD1 will be a freshman this fall and I'm trying to figure out how many days I should plan on being in New Haven helping her move in. I don't want to keep her from getting settled in her new environment (which she will do much better without me there), but I also don't want to be the first parent to leave. I'm also not sure if there are any parent activities planned - (judging from Bulldog Days, I'm sure there will be) and if so, I don't want to miss that either.</p>
<p>I can't speak to Yale specifically, but most schools don't expect to have parents there more than part of the one move-in day. Lots of schools have one or two events for parents, in the late afternoon, and then a subtle (or less so!) reminder that it's time for the families to go home.</p>
<p>We drove up the night before, met D the following morning as she returned from her FOOT trip, got her settled in, had lunch, hung around another couple of hours to make sure she didn't need anything we could pop out and get for her (i.e. extension cords and that sort of thing), and left in the late afternoon. That evening there were orientation activities for students only, and parents were superfluous.</p>
<p>Not Yale but DD moved in to USD on a Saturday; we made several trips to the local Target/Home Depot etc that day. The school had a convocation ceremony for freshmen on the Sunday. Parents were dismissed from the pavillion; students stayed behind to meet with their Freshman Tutorial class. Same sort of situation for DS on the other coast four years earlier.</p>
<p>Yale will likely send your family a calendar of events. Back in the day there was the Freshman Convocation where the President of the University gave a speech welcoming the freshman class. Parents were invited to that. When I moved in, there was at least one parent representing each person in my suite and we went out for a big dinner one night.</p>
<p>If you're from far away, you might want to spend a day exploring the campus without your child, just so you know what she is talking about and can picture it all in your head. Yale has two very worthwhile art museums which are worth a visit if you have any interest in art. Without bothering your daughter, you could soak up a lot of atmosphere.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your helpful responses. We do live on the other coast so flying up for just the day is exhausting. Your suggestion sounds great AA, I think we'll do just that.</p>
<p>If your daughter is going to live on Old Campus, be sure you tour her residential college--see the dining hall where she'll likely have most of her dinners, explore the basement where many colleges have butteries for late night snacks, etc. Tour Sterling and Bass libraries where she may spend a lot of time. If she's an athlete, explore the gym and any associated playing fields. If she's a science major, walk around the buildings on Science Hill.</p>
<p>By the way, if the Freshman Convocation is anything like what it once was and if parents do go, I'd encourage you to bring something nicer to wear. If you have a husband coming, a coat and tie wouldn't be out of order. Like I said, things may have changed, but the freshman women used to wear nice pants, a skirt or a dress and the freshmen men used to wear coats and ties or at least a sport coat with khakis and a button down.</p>
<p>I would plan on spending Friday/Sat and depart Sunday. There is plenty to do for parents. Here's the schedule:</p>
<p>When you attend the freshman convocation make sure you get there very early to get a good seat. Sit on the side opposite the windows where the sun is coming in. It gets hot in there.</p>
<p>that was the 2007 schedule, but you'll get the idea.</p>
<p>There's no pressure to leave early. Plenty to do. Go out Sat nite and have a good dinner at one of the many good restaurants in the area while D does her thing. Sunday morning you'll probably have breakfast and then run around getting last minute things that D will need.</p>
<p>My daughter is in the class of 2010. We helped her move in (I think it was Saturday) and attended the convocation. (I believe it was Sunday). Most kids had one parent present. As said before, get to the convocation early, and wear nice clothes. There was lunch at the residential college after the convocation. After lunch on Sunday, there were no parent activities and it was time to go. Look at the schedule provided by Yale. This will give you an idea. This is a special time and I would not miss it, if possible.</p>