<p>Do any current Vandy students know if I will be at a large disadvantage for not attending SAOP? Vanderbilt is far away from me and I would have to take a plane just to stay for two days. Is it really worth it? Are there other ways of getting academic advising?</p>
<p>How does the course registration process run? Do the people that go to SAOP get priority for class selection?</p>
<p>I am far away from Vandy too.
But my father and I drove about 26 hrs round trip to attend the open house meeting.
Even though it took quite a lot of time driving, when i visited the campus, it was worthwhile.
I am also going to attend SAOP as it is recommended compared to attending open house meeting.</p>
<p>I think SAOP is just like a campus visit but it provides more information and get to know how it feels like in the campus. I dont think you get a priority for class selection. If you mean selection for major, I heard that any of the Engineering students can choose their major in their own will and thus have to cutoffs by grade or any factors. You can also get to sleep in the real dorm and make a lot of friends during that time. I would recommend you to come.</p>
<p>The course registration can be done by visiting the website or you can mail the registration form that you recieved in the pamphlet.</p>
<p>P.S. Where do you live? If it is far away like California, it could be a hard decision. But I believe making friends and getting a feeling for Vandy weighs over costs and time.</p>
<p>All the listed hotels are booked but I got a reservation at the Days Inn for $65. I know it's not going to be much of a place, but is anyone familiar with this motel? Is it decent?</p>
<p>Which Days Inn is this, and how close is it to campus? I didn't see it on Vanderbilt's list of campus-area hotels. Hotels in the immediate area are quite pricey, but the quality definitely varies, despite the inflated price tag. I'd look carefully at the map provided by the hotel, and be certain it's on one of the main drags surrounding the school for better night-time security. Did you use Priceline or Hotwire for the rate? If not, you might want to give them a try to see what you come up with in the immediate Vanderbilt area.</p>
<p>To the OP - my d did SAOP last year and absolutely felt it was worth it, just to have the additional familiarity with campus and to have the placement testing out of the way when she moved in in August. She didn't meet any of her closest friends until school started, but she did become friendly with a few people as a result of SAOP, and it was nice to see a few familiar faces on campus right away. She traveled 900 miles alone, because our impression was that most kids went without their parents. As it turned out, my d thought that a clear majority of students were there WITH parents.</p>
<p>just fyi my mom and i stayed at that days in a few weeks ago because it was the only thing available, and it was so crappy. i would NOT recommend it, we almost left. it's kind of dirty and we didn't feel very safe there.</p>
<p>The reservations person said the motel was 5 minutes from Vanderbilt. He said they have a continental breakfast (donut?) and a treadmill. The only close hotels available want about $200 a night!</p>
<p>How close do you want to be? Would you consider another area of Nashville, or do you need to be in walking distance? There are some SAOP activities for parents, but you won't have to be on campus continuously. The Days Inn chain in general doesn't get great reviews for facilities and cleanliness. The Vanderbilt-area one might be fine, if you won't spend much time in the room. </p>
<p>A quick look at expedia shows these hotels in the general Vandy area that are better-reviewed than the Days Inn: Best Western Music Row (rates from $69/night, per expedia) and Courtyard by Marriott - Vanderbilt (rates from $109). Nashville city hotels do run in the $200 neighborhood, and those in the Vandy area jack up the price when major school activities are scheduled. Speaking of which - make your Parent's Weekend reservations now, if you haven't already (the dates are September 29th - October 1st).</p>
<p>So many hotels are already booked for SAOP and Parents Weekend, but I got a room at the Guesthouse Inn. Seems nice, but no exercise facility. Saop was $69.95/night and parents weekend $100/night. I cancelled the Days Inn. Since we're new to the area, I didn't want to be far from the university. Regarding SAOP, check in is at 8:00 and the tests begin at 8:30. Seems like that is going to be cutting it very close.... How many students attend the sessions? We'll be at the Blair session.</p>
<p>I didn't go to SAOP because I was working at a camp all last summer. I don't know if I would have gone otherwise, because I would have had to fly, and I don't know if it really would have been worth it. There are definitely some nice things about SAOP, like getting information on the tricky class registration system, etc. It is true that you will make friends if you go (like when I got there in August, many of the Blair freshmen already knew each other from SAOP, and I was kind of the new guy). But, that really isn't a big deal, as there will be plenty of time and opportunity to make friends. So, if it is a major undertaking for you to go, I would say no. If it isn't a major trip though, I would say go. You'll definitely survive if you don't go.</p>
<p>If you are able to go, I'd highly recommend it. Its nice meeting a bunch of kids before school starts.</p>