<p>DD just got into her dream school through Questbridge, so she is thrilled and I am relieved.:) She wants to start dorm shopping now, but I'm concerned about a few things, for example, should she wait until she gets a roommate to see things like who brings the fridge (she has a new one already) or do they each bring their own? Can we buy an area rug, not knowing if it would not "match" the the color scheme of the roommate? In general, what am I safe getting now, and are there items I should wait to buy later?</p>
<p>I think it makes more sense to wait until later. Usually fridges are shared, and it's always polite to check in about an area rug or something like that. Also remember that in the spring and summer stores will have displays of things for college dorm rooms, special deals, and suggested shopping lists. If dorms have different room set-ups, it may make sense to wait until she knows where she'll be living on campus.</p>
<p>Congratulations to your daughter.</p>
<p>Wait to get a roommate before you get anything you only need one of, which is most things. I know she's excited (and she should be, congrats!) but get her some stuff with her school's name on it and save the wastebaskets and rugs for early summer. If you were to get anything now I suppose you could get her a bed set if you knew what size to get, as well as letting her got some posters or small lamps to decorate the room with. It's just going to be a pain storing laundy baskets, waste baskets, toiletries, and the other small things you need for a dorm until then. Plus you do NOT want to get a rug/TV/fridge/microwave until you talk to your roommate, since they might already have those things.</p>
<p>If I remember correctly we are talking Massachusetts and you are from Georgia. I'd be buying frig's and things when I got there, or at least nearer to there.</p>
<p>Yes curm, it is MA. I got her a new fridge for Gov. Hnr's this past summer, and would hate for it to not be utilized, but finding the bulk of the other items closer to school seems like a good idea. I will drive her up in a van, and it is just the two of us, so there should be room for fridge and her personal items.</p>
<p>Wait for dorm info. If not, you may end up purchasing things that are not allowed, won't fit, or are already provided. Roommate info. will also help...most kids don't have 2 refrig. in their room! </p>
<p>However..a warm coat, gloves, scarf (and boots and something for her head -- if she'll wear it) might be a good purchase when they go on sale or she sees something she likes (the 5 college area can get VERY cold!)</p>
<p>definitely wait on the larger items, or if you find something superty duperty on sale, make sure you hang onto the receipt and that it's returnable in 6-8 months if you find she doesn't need it.</p>
<p>I think it's fine to focus on personal items like towels, shower shoes, etc. that you know she'll need no matter where she ends up. However, if you get too much now, you leave few options for those who want to get her a graduation gift if you have most everything.</p>
<p>I certainly understand her excitement, and wanting to start the transition, but I'd make sure anything you get is returnable or exchangable.</p>
<p>Have you checked the school's website to see what comes furnished in the dorms? At the college my S will attend, most dorm rooms come furnished with a microfridge.</p>
<p>PackMom, fridges not furnished, microwaves not allowed!
oops, Is a microfridge some kind of combo thing, or just a small fridge?</p>
<p>I'm of the school of thought that says kids don't need new stuff for a dorm. Mine used the old bedding and things we had stored in the basement for when they left for school. Having said that though, she's excited NOW. Get a few small things that aren't shared items and enjoy!!!</p>
<p>I would suggest waiting until after the holidays and shop the sales for XL sheets, comforters, towels, etc (you can have this stuff shipped to campus when the time comes). I agree with putting off other stuff until she knows where and with whom she is going to live with as I do think that there is shopping close by.</p>
<p>A microfridge is a combo fridge (may have a small freezer)/ microwave.</p>
<p>I would wait until dorm assignments are made. There maybe 2 or 3 girls in the room come next August.</p>
<p>GA2012MOM, you're all excited and you want to shop! Who can blame you? Congratulations to your daughter!! That is fantastic news!!</p>
<p>I drove S1 nuts with the same feeling -- I wanted to shop, to get him all set up, to imagine him in his dorm room. He really didn't care, and while I was planning his room and color-coordinating everything, he thought I was nuts. I learned with S2 to step back, and it all worked out fine.</p>
<p>The only thing you should absolutely buy now is a sweatshirt with the college name on it!! And maybe a hat. And a pennant. And a T-shirt . . . And a mug . . . . And . . . And . . . .</p>
<p>Congratulations to your daughter! I know how it feels to be so excited that you can't wait! Bedding is probably something that you could get now, as well as towels, a shower caddy, posters, a desk lamp, hangers... Make sure you know whether her bed will be extra-long so you could get the appropriate size!</p>
<p>I think a Microfridge (combo fridge/microwave) would be far more useful than just a fridge. The microwave comes in handy for heating up leftovers and snacks at 2 in the morning while still studying. I know that some colleges won't allow a separate microwave. </p>
<p>I understand the excitement but think you're better waiting on any of the 'shared' items until your D can coordinate with the roommate(s). It'd actually be kind of rude and presumptuous not to. She should be able to get the stuff for her own space though - bed and desk.</p>
<p>As a student who bought most of the dorm stuff with her own money, I say buy her a few school things as Christmas presents, like a hoodie and one or 2 of the items that Clueless mentioned, but you should hold off on the rest. Some college stuff is nearly impossible to find in a style that you'll like when it isn't dorm shopping season(like XL sheets), and you don't want to go buying things before you talk to her roommate. Besides you'll find better deals and you'll have something fun to do this summer if you wait.</p>
<p>I also echo the suggestion of getting some cold weather clothes during the holiday sales- my D started collecting for her college wardrobe when she was a sophmore in HS- thought about that when she bought something</p>
<p>and she LIVES in mens hanes Tshirts- </p>
<p>what I would do is have a list- CC has them floating around- and if you see something on sale, stock up- like duct tape, school supplies, socks, etc</p>
<p>The shopping you should be doing, in my opinion, is for heavy winter clothing and outerwear. If you live in Georgia, your daughter probably does not have enough heavy clothing for a winter in Massachusetts. (My daughter, living in Maryland, did not have anywhere near what she needed for a winter in upstate New York, and you're even farther south than we are.) Think layers. And hats, gloves, scarves. And a really good coat. Maybe boots. There should be some great sales on winter clothing after Christmas.</p>
<p>My son ended up in an apartment which came with a fullsize fridge. I don't think this is too typical, but you just never know. Being a nerdy boy with a similar roommate they didn't bother to exchange info at all! But really the room needed very little. In fact the one thing I never would have thought of was a proper book case all it had was a little shelf above each desk. I think they ended up with mostly blue stuff despite the lack of planning.</p>
<p>How about ordering a hoodie from the college as a gift for the holiday? And if she's SURE that is where she is going...you need a decal for the car(s)! Re: shopping...I agree with the others. Wait to get the things needed for the room until after you know the room (they aren't all the same) and talk to roomie(s). You really don't need much in a dorm room, and a lot of stuff won't fit anyway. Plus...if your daughter BUYS all the "stuff", then there won't be much for her to get as graduation gifts!! I'd wait.</p>