<p>NanE, if the request to select your top three choices isn't there, it's a new wrinkle this year. Last year, I seem to recall it was a the top of a later page...why I remember these obscure details is beyond me! If you can't find a request for a preference listing, I'd give the housing folks a call on Monday.</p>
<p>We checked the online form and it's the same as the one we received in the mail so maybe the kids don't get a choice this year. I think I will call Monday anyway, just in case it is a mistake.</p>
<p>It was the same for my daughter too. We thought it was strange but then we just assumed that if you didn’t get into your choice they just assigned you. Let me know what you find out because she definitely had a second and third choice. Giving more options sure sounds like a better plan than only offering one.</p>
<p>I called the office of Student Affairs (handles housing) and they told me there is not a place for them to write their choices unless they are requesting speical options such as Arts Appreciation, Honors, Healthy Lifestyles etc. BUT, she did tell me it is all very informal and if my D would like to, she could just write in her choices somewhere on the sheet.</p>
<p>D got her registration packet in the mail yesterday and is trying to understand everything. I think we will do the Sept orientation. Does anyone know if this is a bad idea? She has a busy summer and it would work the best but some have told her to go earlier and she might meet someone she would want to room with. By Sept., it is too late. And, does anyone know if getting classes is harder in Sept.?<br>
THANKS</p>
<p>2B</p>
<p>We live in NJ and our son was doing a summer show last year, so it only made sense to do the September orientation. That's what we did and it worked out fine. Our son had no problem getting the appropriate classes. It might be good to check ahead on the books needed for some of the non MT courses so you can get them ahead of time, just one less thing to do. But, our son had no problem with any of the planning, courses, books, etc. On the roommate issue, I don't know that it would make any difference. We were told last year that typically they deliberately don't put freshman MT kids together - I guess to help broaden their horizons. If your daughter has someone in mind who's not a freshman, I guess that could be different, but orientation time wouldn't make the difference there. In September we still had the opportunity to meet a lot of parents, the kids get to know each other, we got comfortable with the town and restaurants, and it worked out very well. The faculty seem very open to email during the summer if your daughter has any specific questions. Maybe one of the Otterbein kids here on CC could also help out (Linus?) Good luck and enjoy your summer!</p>
<p>2B, what abparent said... The only issue my daughter had with September orientation was not knowing for sure that she would get into all of her courses (patience isn't her strong suit!) She did get all of her courses and found that there was enough information on CardinalWeb about how many openings were left in each course that a lot of her self-generated anxiety was alleviated.</p>
<p>As far as roommates, my daughter was willing to let the chips fall where they may. She said it's pretty amazing how well things worked out for just about everyone she knows, but she credits a lot of that to the "contract" that roomies are expected to work out with one another right at the beginning of the year. The contract is basically a checklist of questions that the roommates discuss together, and it helps the students to anticipate any issues that might arise and work out, in advance, the expectations they have for one another.</p>
<p>My freshman year at Otterbein I lived in Garst Hall, a tiny bunker-like dorm that is part of what they call the 'triad'. I think it is unarguably the WORST dorm on campus and I'm pretty sure they plan on tearing it down in the next few years. My second year at Otterbein, I lived in the sophomore suites which in contrast is the BEST dorm on campus. The rooms are incredibly spacious with air conditioning, redwood furniture and cabinetry, a personal bathroom shared between two rooms, not to mention the fact it's brand spanking new (opened fall of 06). </p>
<p>I'm writing this reply because I actually liked living in the crappy dorm better than the nice one. The fact is, where you live on campus doesn't matter; it's WHO you live with. Trying to get the newer or nicer room may not be the best move in the long run. I ended up moving out of the suites after just a quarter. I suggest leaving it to fate. I never would have picked Garst to live in freshman year had I been given a choice, but I met so many great people there, the moldy showers and stinky hallways really didn't matter.</p>
<p>I'd also like to add that I get the impression these threads are made up of a bunch of overprotective moms. I find that extremely odd and a little disturbing. How old are your "Ds"? Aren't they old enough to be seeking answers on their own? Perhaps it's time to cut the umbilical cord.</p>
<p>It's often hard to discern a person's tone when reading posts on the internet. I hope you didn't intend your words to be as harsh as I interpreted them. You don't know anything about my D or me or for that matter, any of these parents and therefore it is unfair and unkind of you to assume we are overprotective and that our children are not capable of taking care of these matters themselves.
You don't say if you are a theatre major yourself. If you are, you should know and understand how much these kids have on their plates. Most of these kids are participating in spring plays, end of the year concerts, dance recitals, etc, etc in addition to the the everyday stuff that most seniors are juggling, ie: AP exams, Prom, finals, work and graduation. Some of these kids won't even get to attend their HS graduation because they are leaving shortly for Summerstock for most of the summer. It's ok if we want to help them out with some of the legwork and offer guidance and suggestions, ultimately, the decisions are their's to make. My D for one, appreciates my advice, even though she may not always take it.
In addition, these are our children. We have loved them and nurtured them and offered our guidance for the past 18 years. It's OK if we want to help them out with such a major change in their lives. Please don't confuse the interest we take in our children as an inability to cut the umbilical cord.
Finally, I have found this board a great way to connect with other parents and current students who share my enthusiasm for the adventure we are about to embark on.
If I have misinterpreted your post please forgive me! :) I hope you have a great finish to your school year and good luck on your finals!</p>
<p>I accessed this thread through the Otterbein search and didn't realize it was predominantly MT people. My last comment was intended to be a little biting, but don't take it too much to heart. I understand why you'd want to help your kids out and it's lovely; the only reason I'm calloused is because I had to do everything on my own.</p>
<p>I certainly second EVERYTHING that NanE said and said so well. I also felt the same way she did about the post. Our kids burn the candle at both end and appreciate any help they get. Ultimately the decisions are theirs to make. Melopoly, it is sad to have you jump to conclusions. Everyone on this is so helpful and kind. I didn't know you could access it any other way than through selecting the musical theatre area. I hope you have a great end to your year and take a little time to investigate an area before jumping to conclusions. Thank you acknowledging that you were a little biting, and understand better now.</p>
<p>Thank you for taking the time and courage to explain your response. I would love for you to share more about your experiences at Otterbein even if you aren't a Theatre major, I'm sure there is a lot of insight you could share! :D</p>
<p>Just thought I would pass this along to anyone going to the Sept. orientation! We had not received confirmation of D's orientation so she called Otterbein the other day and they said confirmations have NOT been mailed to the kids going to the Sept orientation because they are waiting for the Common books to come in so they can be mailed with the orientation information. HTH</p>
<p>BTW, how many of you will be there for the Sept orientation? It might be fun to meet all the CC parents and kids while we are there!</p>
<p>Nan, as I recall, my daughter did not receive her common book/orientation information until the first or second week of August last year. By that time, she was chomping at the bit in anticipation, but it did arrive in plenty of time to read the book, etc. Still, it would be nice if the September kids didn't have to wait quite so long...</p>
<p>Hello everyone-</p>
<p>My son is a musical theater major - but we live in Ohio (Cincinnati) and we live too close to attend the September orientation - so we are going up this Wednesday - July 18th. I was wondering if anyone else would be there - but from what I read - some won't be. </p>
<p>I would be happy to post anything interesting that comes up Wednesday. Has anyone gotten their housing assignment or roommate??</p>
<p>Thanks-
Kate</p>
<p>Oh Kate, can't wait to hear what you have to say about orientation! Any helpful tips that you want to pass on would be greatly appreciated! I don't think they will find out their housing assignments until August.</p>
<p>hello everyone,starlight,i agree with nan and would love to hear all about orientation.she has not heard anything about her roommate or housing.nan,do you know if any parents and kids are going to try and meet??let me know.it is getting close and we are all excited!!</p>
<p>We have not heard anything new about orientation or housing! I bought the common book for d at Barnes and Noble so she could get started reading it but now she is reading the new Harry Potter so I'm sure the common book will lay there untouched until she has finished HP! I need to get busy and make reservations today! I'll let you know where we are going to stay.</p>
<p>I made our reservations at the Candlewood suites, Polaris. It was the best rate I could find closest to Otterbein/resturants/shopping ( I know there will be tons we forgot to buy). We are going to stay Tues - Thurs. nights as we need to move our oldest d in to her apt as well. Here's the link:
<a href="http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cw/1/en/hotel/cmhpp?rpb=hotel&crUrl=/h/d/cw/1/en/availsearch&ias=y%5B/url%5D">http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cw/1/en/hotel/cmhpp?rpb=hotel&crUrl=/h/d/cw/1/en/availsearch&ias=y</a></p>
<p>nan,have you heard anything about a roommate?she did get her common book..we have started shopping for "dorm things" but i do not know if she needs a micro or a fridge...i am quessing we will find out when we know the assigned dorm??</p>