<p>Your son and his roommate might want to rent the fridge/microwave combo that is offered through a Tufts-authorized (and I think student run) organization. You’ll get a letter or email about it during the summer.</p>
<p>We rented a micro fridge. He used it all year. Popcorn, frozen pizza when he didn’t feel like going out. They deliver it to your door and then pick it up at the end of the year. Very convenient.</p>
<p>They run out, so if you want to rent one, don’t wait too long!</p>
<p>I think my son’s fridge got used mostly for soft drinks, water and pie ingredients.</p>
<p>I just realized I might make a big mistake. I booked S’s flight as round trip. I checked the calendar, the final is 12/19 (Thur). so I thought gave him a few days packing etc, the flight back to CA is 12/22(Sun). </p>
<p>but I just read the school webpage somewhere, it said for 2012 yr, the final was 12/20(Thur), students had to leave the dorm by Fri 12pm (12/21). Is this true? So students cannot stay in the dorm after Fri 12pm? it means I have to change the ticket since S cannot check in the hotel. I called Hytta, said has to be 21 to check in. </p>
<p>Please let me know. so I can make changes on the flight. see, that’s how I make mistakes with 1st time experience. 
maybe I should not book round trip at the first place without knowing the weather.</p>
<p>[Tufts</a> University - Student Services - Academic Calendar](<a href=“Academic Calendar | AS&E Students”>Academic Calendar | AS&E Students)</p>
<p>Yes, you shouldn’t have bought the ticket this early without knowing your son’s schedule. The last day of finals may be the 19th, but your son may very well be done with his finals earlier than that. Change the flight to the evening of the 19th. Packing for winter break doesn’t take all that long; he can do it the night before even if he has a final on the 19th.</p>
<p>Also, I was mostly joking about the fridge. Perhaps your son roommate will be local. In that case, I would coordinate with him to see if they can’t split the fridge’s cost somehow.</p>
<p>so usually the finals will be done in the morning? there is 6pm flight from BOS to SFO on 19th(Thur). do you think leaving at Tufts before 4:30pm on Final’s day is doable?</p>
<p>Your son can have a final in the afternoon also. There are 3:30 finals. You have 2 options. Either make your ticket one way and see what his finals schedule is. He might be able to come home much earlier. The first semester my son had only 1 final. Or to be on the safe side, book his ticket for Friday morning.</p>
<p>Definitely book a 1-way ticket and let him decide when he knows his schedule when he’ll come home. Hanging out at Tufts during finals in the fall semester isn’t that much fun as everyone is either studying or has already left.</p>
<p>
They do not need one, but it’s very, very convenient. The micro-fridges were not that great (read: old, didn’t keep stuff cold, took forever to heat up food) ‘back in the day’: they have have improved since then. They were also rather expensive: basically, you spend the same on rent that it would cost to buy.</p>
<p>I rented one my freshman year; subsequently, I bought a mini-fridge for less than my share of the microfridge rental and used that for three years. Now, I was local, but you may find that it’s more economical to buy and sell a fridge every year as it is to rent one. And did I mention that the micro-fridges couldn’t keep anything cold?</p>
<p>As far as a needing the microwave, I successfully hid a microwave under my bed both freshman and sophomore years.</p>
<p>My son doesn’t have a microwave - but I believe the dorm kitchen has one.</p>
<p>It’s also a bit of a bonding experience to head downstairs to use the microwave at 2:30 am and see three other people there. Reminds you that you are not alone in your struggles.</p>
<p>Bottom line: TSR microfridge is a mistake, but buying a fridge (especially off TuftsLife if you can, and then pay it forward) is probably a smart decision once you talk to your future roommate.</p>
<p>I know micro fridge is more money. But it worked great for my son. And it cost me couple of hundred dollars and I didn’t worry about getting it there and then taking it back. So for me the conscience was great.</p>
<p>Heck, you can always just abandon it at the end of the year if you can’t get rid of it, though I think that’s unlikely. I don’t think the TSR microfridges are a terrible idea, but neither do I think they are especially worth it. I do agree though that if you or your son’s roommate has no way of getting a fridge to their room freshman year and they really want one, a TSR one isn’t that bad of a way to go.</p>
<p>Alternatively: Buy a small one online and ship it to Tufts.</p>
<p>have a question about winter clothing. Last time I asked about down coat, this time is about the pant. Is jean enough for the winter? or have to have a under layer? we have under layers for the ski, so wondering if should bring them or ski pant - maybe too warm while inside the room. thanks!</p>
<p>Jeans are enough. I did send thermals top and bottom last year. He never used it and it was a cold winter.</p>
<p>I know I’m a bit late for booking a hotel for move in. Any recommendations for hotels near campus? Also, prefer to use public transportation or taxi.</p>
<p>Priceline is showing LaQuinta Inn and Holiday Inn. Any thoughts? The Hyatt is booked.</p>
<p>The Holiday Inn is kind of far and somewhat isolated. It’s relatively inexpensive, a virtue when there’s just one person staying there. There is a hotel shuttle (though it must be reserved in advance, somewhat limiting). The only nearby public transport option is buses, not the T (unless you get a shuttle ride)</p>
<p>For more than one person we like the Homewood Suites in Arlington. We walked over to the Arlington T, a bit of a hike. </p>
<p>Are you not planning on having a car at all? Like you I prefer using public transportation and taxis, but can’t imagine doing move-in without something to haul suitcases and the bags from the Bed Bath and Beyond run. :)</p>
<p>No I won’t be driving there at all. I have a medical condition that limits my driving and my son is to young to drive the rental car. I hoping to find a hotel that has easy access to public transportation.</p>