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The next phase is -- kids' summer internship/programs/travel. I've noticed it among many parents -- same people for whom the college admission process was a competitive sport. Now they're exchanging the latest on their kids' internship at Knopf or Dreamworks; intense language/art program in Oaxaca; volunteering in medical clinics in Kenya & Nepal or running errands for the governor... G-d help us all.
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<p>Haha! And to think that I've been bragging to my friends all summer that S is working full-time at Peets' Coffee... I really need to get with the program, I was thinking that him just being able to hold down a job that requires him to get up before noon was a feather in my cap. :)</p>
<p>Apple, in my comment above I was mostly responding to your disappointing encounters with other parents -- I meant I was glad I am not going to be meeting them. My daughter is attending college in New York, and I am not going to the orientation because (a) she doesn't want me there, and (b) given the cost of hotels in NYC, we can't really justify the added cost of a round trip airfare and 2 or more nights in a hotel. </p>
<p>But my d's college did have a local orientation-type event -- they sent an academic rep out the west coast and met with about 15 students and their moms in the home of an alumna. There was a little bit of time for socializing, but I didn't find that I had much in common with the other parents. (Large disparity in economic class & background). But we certainly got questions answered about academics and course enrollment. </p>
<p>As this is my 2nd kid, I've got the "letting go" part figured out. One more reason I'm not going to the orientation.</p>
<p>dadx -- sounds like you're not a huge fan of Tufts -- have you taken a look at the stats of entering freshmen lately? Please be careful not to misinterpet the quality of the student body. Your perception based upon "Tufts Syndrome" is about a decade out of date.</p>