<p>I just came back from orientation and registration with my D last week. </p>
<p>The good: I had a chance to tour some of the academic buildings and the dorms, and to walk the campus like a student. Had an opportunity to meet with and chat with the Honors College Director, two Department Heads, the very affable College President, and met some really amazing student embassadors. Chatted up some other parents and got great advice from those doing this for the 2nd and 3rd time round. </p>
<p>The presentations from health services, residence life, and the faculty round tables were extremely helpful and participation was lively. Got some great tips to discuss with D on the drive home.</p>
<p>The less than great: Some of the presentations were very hokey, some were obviously slapped together to fill time. The Student Services Fair was not ver well organized, and I couldn’t really get help on IT questions (computer purchase program, school network requirements, etc.) because of long lines or get D immunized (Meningitis was offered) because she had to be with me so I could pay, and she was in her own sessions.</p>
<p>The main emphasis of the weekend for parents was financial aid - completing forms, talking to FA counsellors, etc. My D is on merit and athletic scholarships - we don’t qualify for financial aid, so these sessions became downtime for me. I spent some time driving around investigating the area around campus instead.</p>
<p>Everyone affiliated with the campus was friendly and helpful - one professor who participated in the faculty round table even recognized me walking around campus the next day and stopped to chat! </p>
<p>My daughter had an amazing time meeting people and participating in the ice breaker and evening ful activities. Her phone was filled with a lot of new contacts, and she kept commenting how much she LOVED campus and how happy she thinks she will be there.</p>
<p>She was less thrilled about going through the registration process. She said that it could have been more organized - she felt very pressured and rushed to complete her registration within the allotted time (she ended up changing her schedule twice on-line once she got home to get better sections/add honors/etc.). </p>
<p>Also, the health department REQUIRED her to bring her immunization records, but then never collected them. </p>
<p>These are small complaints. The overall vibe was very positive and student focused (“Where Students Come First” is the adminstration’s motto) and it was good to get confirmation of what both my D and I had felt when we had come for her recruiting weekend. I can see where parents who live closer would possibly opt out of the weekend, but I am glad I went.</p>