<p>Very long ... my apologies!</p>
<p>We've just returned home and boy, have our opinions changed since before DD did these overnights. </p>
<p>Wednesday
We left Wednesday around midday and drove to Conway, Arkansas (~6 hours) for DD to do an overnight at Hendrix College. Although the books all made it sound like a perfect fit, DH and I were secretly hoping she would fall in love more with Rhodes or Centre (what can I say ... they're closer to home). WELL, let me just say that we are ALL sold 100% on Hendrix. WOW!</p>
<p>We had called prior to our scheduled time to let them know that traffic in Little Rock had slowed us down and we would be approximately 30 minutes late. When we arrived, DD's host had needed to leave for a brief meeting, so a senior male representative, who now feels like a family friend, suggested he help DD carry her belongings to host's dorm and meet up with her there, but not before we were all invited to sit down and just chat about what type of school DD was looking for. From the moment we arrived on the Hendrix campus, we were made to feel so very comfortable and welcome. DH and I were fully prepared to do nothing more than drop her off and pick her up as was suggested in the "Overnight Visit ... What to Expect" thread a few days ago, however they were having none of that. They suggested DH and I return the next morning at 9:30 so we could speak with the admissions counselor, as well as a Hendrix student, while DD attended a class.</p>
<p>The moment DH and I got in the car, we both claimed to know that Hendrix is the school for our daughter. We had both hoped so much that she wouldn't love it, but we came away loving the school and its people as much as DD did. We went to dinner and then on to the hotel, trying to familiarize ourselves with a town that we feel we may very well see in the future.</p>
<p>Thursday
We arrived at the admissions office at 9:30 as instructed. DD met us there and excitedly spoke of the great fun she'd had at Hendrix so far, but didn't get to talk too much before being whisked away to class. She chose "Vietnam in the 60's" - you'd have to know her to know what a perfect class that was for her. She was given a backpack to carry on campus and was encouraged to use the notebook to take notes in class. I thought this was a great idea, as carrying the backpack is supposed to give them more of a sense of belonging. Not only was DD able to read what previous prospective students had written in the notebook, she was able to tell of her own experience for future prospective students. </p>
<p>While DD attended class, DH and I met with the admissions counselor who was wonderful and friendly, and suggested to DH and I that there would be some wonderful scholarship opportunities for DD. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly and we felt so very comfortable there. We were then introduced to a junior female who couldn't have had more in common with our daughter. She is majoring in international studies and political science just as DD plans to do and will then go on to law school (just as DD plans). She's very involved in young Democrats and mock trial (just like DD!). The only thing they didn't have in common was their height (the other girl has about 6" on DD). When DD returned from class, the student who had been speaking to us introduced herself to DD and advised the admissions counselor she was going to skip a function she'd planned to attend at noon so she could tour the campus and go to lunch with us. She showed us around campus and we all met up with the admissions counselor for lunch. We spoke about campus activities, etc. and we were told that Hendrix has a social committee for the entire student body. They do not have sororities or fraternities, something that was sweet music to DD's ears. DH and I were both involved in the greek system at our alma mater, but DD really has no interest. We returned to the admissions building and DD had her interview. She then went to another building where she met with one of the professors and spoke about some of their programs, including study abroad. When she returned, we all said our final goodbyes and felt like we were leaving newly-found friends.</p>
<p>As we pulled away, DD couldn't contain herself and proclaimed that she had found the school for her! She told us of the activities in which she had participated the night before - dinner with several students, taking part in throwing a student in the fountain (a birthday tradition), going to a concert and playing volleyball. She told us that numerous students introduced themselves to her on campus as well as in the classroom and the professors made her feel welcome. She soon fell asleep from exhaustion and we made our way back to Memphis for her overnight at Rhodes. It's funny because after we passed Memphis on our way to Conway, we talked about how unsightly (sorry, I'm just being honest) the scenery is between Memphis and Conway. Somehow, on the way back, that didn't seem so noticeable.</p>
<p>Thursday (cont.)
We arrived at the campus of Rhodes. Wow, it's every bit as gorgeous as we remember it being when we visited last year. The buildings are all architecturally similar, and the stained glass windows are beautiful. We entered the admissions building where we were met by a student working the front desk. He was very kind and advised that DD's host should be there any moment. He chatted with us for a while and offered to answer any questions we might have. DD's host arrived very soon thereafter with a friend in tow, and I just had a feeling she wasn't the right girl for DD to experience an overnight. Both girls were very kind, though, and offered to help DD get her things from the car. I knew when they placed her things in a car that was covered in sorority letters that she might not have the best experience. As DH and I got into our car, we both muttered "uh-oh". I almost expected a call later asking to be rescued. No rescue needed as her host promptly dropped her off at her place (a townhouse that is campus housing) and left her alone while she went to a sorority sing practice. Fortunately, one of the six girls who lived in the townhouse wasn't a sorority member and she quickly befriended DD. They went to Sonic and sat around and talked and DD said she had a good time. The next morning, she went to breakfast and then was pointed in the direction of her class (Intro to Political Science). She said no one acknowledged her on the way to class, nor did any of the students speak to her as they came into the classroom. She said the professor rushed in to the room, announced there would be a quiz, and looked at her as though he didn't recognize her, but didn't say anything to her. She then went up and introduced herself. He encouraged her to ask or answer any questions during the class time. DD became involved in the discussion and felt good that she knew what they were talking about as they were covering something in class which she had studied in her Government class a couple of weeks ago.</p>
<p>DH and I waited patiently for a call from DD telling us she was ready to go, as we had not been invited by anyone to do otherwise. She had her interview with a lady who was reportedly very nice, and spoke with someone in financial aid for approximately two minutes. We met her in the admissions office where our presence went unnoticed. We were ready to leave, but needed something to do for the next 45 minutes since the townhouse where she stayed is enclosed with a locked gate and her host (the real one who entertained her, not the "official" host whom she saw once) was in class til nearly noon. We decided to visit the new library and it is absolutely gorgeous! After a few minutes there, we walked the campus a bit more and went back to the townhouse. We thanked the girl who had so graciously entertained DD, gathered her things and left the campus. </p>
<p>As we got in the car, DD said it was amazing that the school that had been #1 on her list for so long had suddenly plummeted ... off the list period. Her impression of the school itself was preppy, stuffy and unfriendly. I asked her if she felt it was cliquish and she said no, because a clique would infer that only a few people were that way and she had the impression that the majority of students at the school were that way.</p>
<p>I can only say that I am a huge proponent of the overnight visit. She is planning an overnight to Centre next semester. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it goes well, but I find myself perfectly thrilled in the thought that Hendrix is now #1 on her list.</p>
<p>We hung out in Memphis till today as DD wanted to spend last evening with friends from Memphis whom she had met at Governor's School this summer. We had a nice time, but DH became ill and we are happy to be home. :)</p>