Parent Perspective - Preview

Colleges and Universities A-Z Princeton University
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<p>We attended the preview 4/10 to 4/12. We live close enough to drive in 3 hours. which is good because our car is still there after overheating. Rented a car to get home...</p>

<p>But I digress. There were a lot of informational talks for parents to attend in the daytime. The were about the residential colleges, thesis preparation, faculty and study abroad to name a few. The welcome speeches by the President and Dean of Admissions given to the students was simulcast for parents in another building. A reception for parents followed. </p>

<p>My son's host student was gracious and welcoming, yet allowed space for my son to choose events of his own interest. My son attended 4 classes and enjoyed them. It reassured him that he could handle the work there.</p>

<p>My husband and I were concerned about what to wear to the parent's reception. I was pleasantly surprised that many of us were dressed casually and comfortably.</p>

<p>For parents, if you have time, visit the art museum. It is small and manageable within an hour or two. I also recommend talking to the people running the welcome tent. Some of the young people there (they had staff t shirts) gave me some insight as to how seriously the University looks upon the admission process.</p>

<p>Only one negative: there was a lunch to be served for students and parents on Friday and they ran out of food. The hosts brought in some pizza, but it seemed like it was too late for some parents and students to wait as they had other things to do. This surprised me because they (admissions) knew how many students were attending.</p>

<p>Oh - and seeing some of the mothers of students who look as if they could be students themselves made me feel envious and aged.</p>

2

<p>Are you talking about the Fields Center multicultural lunch on Friday? If so, then the admissions would not know how many were attending - it was a student-run event, and I guess they didn't anticipate so many people coming. It was perfectly possible to go to one of the dining halls instead, at least for the prefrosh.</p>

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<p>echang08 - After I saw your post I looked for our brochure, but could not locate it. The lunch was listed as a bbq (I think) for prospective students and their parents. I believe it was at the Fields Center - a building quite a walk beyond the central part of the campus down a street with eating clubs. My son did not attend. He went to a class and ate at the dining hall (cafeteria in my lingo). My husband and I went to the Fields Center with the idea of meeting other parents of possible freshman. It wasn't a big deal. I did however know that the admissions office knew how many of us were there and could have planned better. From what you say, a phone call or note would have told the students how many of us may participate.</p>

<p>A high note for me of this lunch event was meeting an employee at the Fields center named 'Miss B' who told us about working there for 22 years. </p>

<p>Again, not a big deal and the only snafu we encountered.</p>

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<p>Not sure whether people saw this video. Be sure to watch through to the last interview The</a> Prox: Pre-Frosh discuss college choices -- Daily Princetonian Video</p>

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<p>That's a great video! Thanks. I also went during 10-12, so it was funny to recognize some of the people in that video :)</p>