<p>Getting ready to do the last set of college visits before D2 puts pen to paper. First time she'll be overnighting with host students. Anything special we should know? Does she take a "thank you" gift? If so,what is appropriate? Would like to hear good and bad experiences from everyone. Thanks!</p>
<p>Be flexible. Daughter had mostly wonderful overnight visits. Only one hostess ignored her, so she found someone down the hall to pal around with. I have the impression that dorm visits are kind of low key; when I suggested a hostess gift my D thought it was not cool--too much of a housewifey thing to do. You might want to have a talk with your D--some hosts think it is their duty to offer access to parties/alcohol, and she should be prepared to deal with that. My D always came back floating from her visits. I bet your D will have lots of fun.</p>
<p>I sent a box of cookies from a special candy shop in our town as a "hostess gift", they were well received. I would keep it very low key, though. Overnight visits are great.</p>
<p>We had a similar situation when our S invited his younger sister up for sibs weekend. She stayed with the girls in the room next door, as she refused to stay with her brother and his 2 equally slobby mates. She made up a little goodie bag with small bottles of soaps and lotions from Bath & Body Works - nothing fancy - less than $20. The girls loved them.</p>
<p>I posted this on a similar thread a few days ago, and a bright young guy rightly posted that this probably would not go over well with boys though!</p>
<p>college kids love food and have had enough of dorm-food and snack machines; some home-made cookies would go over great</p>
<p>I've hosted 7 prospective students, and I think they had good times, in general. Very few students have truly awful overnight experiences. My advice to your daughter is basically to have some opinions. When her host asks what she wants to do, and gives a few options, tell her not to be afraid to voice her opinion. If she doesn't want to go to the party or football game or symphony concert, but really wants to see the play - SAY SO- it's unlikely her host will be a mind reader! Also, it is nice to bring some schoolwork in case the host needs to take an hour to study and she's not really one to go off on her own. Just a book to read is great. It's a good idea, if possible, to bring some money, in case your host takes you to a movie, out for ice cream, to a cultural or sporting event, etc.</p>
<p>As to host(ess) gifts, I never expect anything and don't usually recieve anything. I think this is perfectly fair - the host isn't expected to buy the prospective student anything (though I have in one case bought a cheap calculator for a student - she was taking the ACTs the next day, forgot hers, and had no money!). Once, I got homemade cookies, which was really sweet, but not at all expected. I ate them for sure, but homemade food makes me a little wary, as my mom always told me not to eat food from strangers.... It's really, truly the thought that counts.</p>
<p>I think it would be a lovely gesture to bring a thank-you gift. Homemade is nice, but anything edible that can be easily shared -- down to and including bags of Oreos -- will be immediately and gratefully devoured in any dorm.</p>