<p>If you can afford the time and money, move him in early and take the Amtrak to spend a couple of days in NYC before returning.</p>
<p>Or, you could send him early with just the things he can manage on his own, then you can come later for regular move in day with the rest of his things. While you won’t be able to take full advantage of early move in, he can get a start and then you won’t have to miss the Penn families activities.</p>
<p>Please help me out guys! <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-pennsylvania/1530114-should-i-apply-wharton-cas-ed.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-pennsylvania/1530114-should-i-apply-wharton-cas-ed.html</a></p>
<p>Thanks cbreeze and parentofpeople. It sounds like the NSO activities are worth it, so we might try to work something out. If he flies by himself via Southwest he could take two suitcases, so that would be a start. We could follow with the rest. I just remember enjoying that feeling of community with other families when we moved in our other son. Hate to miss it!</p>
<p>centraleagle, you can also ship some of his things and have them waiting there when he arrives. Since you are all flying this might be a good option.</p>
<p>^^That’s what we did with bedding and towels and some heavy jackets. We shipped 2 boxes.There were several huge UPS trucks parked there on move-in days. The reason I didn’t buy sheets in Philly was that I wanted all the new towels and bedding washed first before making the bed.</p>
<p>@CentralEagle, my daughter is a rising sophomore who did PennQuest last year and lived in Hill. We live in Arizona and I wasn’t sure what to do either about the early move-in and the NSO parent activities. This is a common topic every year among the PennQuest parents. But, one thing you need to keep in mind is that you will very likely not see your student on the regular move-in day during the picnic and other activities. They don’t get back until fairly late. My daughter got back with only enough time to shower and get the moleskin off her feet before she had to be at a hall meeting. </p>
<p>There is a meeting for PennQuest parents with pizza and question and answer while the students are meeting to do ice breakers on the night before they leave. In my opinion, it wasn’t worth trying to stay for the activities on regular move in day when there is little to no guarantee that your student will be there for them or that you will be able to see your student on the night when they get back from the trip.</p>
<p>My daughter’s best friend is from Uganda and I know, for a fact, that the dorms close over the Christmas break. You can see the opening and closing schedule on the housing webstie or by calling them. Also, it is a pain scheduling flights for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The finals schedule is soooo fluid. Professors would change the finals time. I found it easier to either 1) book her on southwest which doesn’t have change fees or 2) book her when I was certain that the finals would be over. Which turned out bad because she was done with finals and had to wait two days to come home. But, you have to do what you have to do. </p>
<p>My daughter had an unlimited meal plan and, in Hill, this can be very good as they have something called “Hill Express” until midnight where they can get a boxed hot dinner until midnight. It seems like college kids eat more after 10 p.m. than before that time. Also, there is a starbucks directly across from Hill and we couldn’t really give her enough starbucks gift cards. We finally just bought her a Keurig. Cheaper :O)</p>
<p>If you are moving in early, the hotel rates are a bit cheaper. </p>
<p>We went to our local Bed Bath and Beyond and scanned up the things that we needed. Told them where we would pick it up near Penn. (They will tell you the closest store to your university). Then, on move in day, we went to Bed Bath and Beyond, walked into the store and all of the stuff was already packed up in a cart. You can just pay for it and go. So, you don’t have to prepay for the stuff. And, use your coupons. Which don’t expire BTW. So, make sure to collect up your BBB coupons from friends and family. I just got a 20% off entire order coupon this week. When we got to the store, we took some stuff out and added some stuff but this was much faster. We then went to Ikea on move in day and got some furniture etc. You get the move in day and then they leave for Penn Quest the next morning. They have PennQuest activities the night of move in day.</p>
<p>Hopefully, this helps. Feel free to private message me if you want.</p>
<p>Wait, I also forgot to tell you, you can ship directly to Hill before move-in day. We mailed several boxes to the dorm. It is one of the few dorms that has its own mailroom and so you don’t have to ship and pick up from the big semi-trucks. Rather, your boxes are just down in the mailroom on the first floor of Hill. You can get your mailing address from your housing assignment. And, call the Hill mailroom and ask how early your boxes can arrive. Its not very early. I think we had to make sure and ship them on Monday? and we were flying there on Friday and moving in on a Sunday? Something like that. The mailroom is not open in the summer so you can’t just ship the boxes a few weeks ahead I got the earliest date that they could arrive from the mailroom and worked around that.</p>
<p>Sera, how did your daughter like Hill? How did the food plan work out? What college? My daughter will be staying in Hill this fall. Thanks.</p>
<p>Thank you so much SeraphsMom! So very helpful! I had a sense that there wouldn’t be much “quality time” with DS after PennQuest, so now leaning towards just doing early move-in. I will definately call Hill about the early mailing - that’s great. We will fly Southwest so six suitcases between three of us, a good start. We did sign up for the most dining swipes because of the dining hall being in the dorm - we’ll see if that works out. Love that boxed dinner idea. Will we be okay without a car trying to get to BBB? The bookstore seems to carry a lot of useful items (probably pricier) and that’s walking distance. </p>
<p>mjd1395: Nice to hear from another new Hill parent! DS is excited as he hears Hill is the most social house - not sure if that makes his parents quite as thrilled! He’s in CAS and on the first floor I think?</p>
<p>My S is also doing Penn quest (and living in Hill!) but it was my understanding that the Penn quest students will return on Thursday night the 22nd. Then on Friday the 23rd there are some activities for parents, BBQ, Dean welcome etc. We live in NJ so it isn’t a big deal to return to Penn for the day on Friday so we plan on doing that. This being my second college bound student I would say if it isn’t reasonable for you to vacation for a week in the area not to lose sleep over it but if you would enjoy the area seems you would be able to see your S on Friday while the freshman with Friday move in dates will be moving in.</p>
<p>Yes you’re right Mamalumper. Perhaps it was different during Seraphsmom’s year? Anyway- I appreciate all the input. Just have to decide now. We do have a Friday move-in date so presumably DS would be there.</p>
<p>Is there a move-in sale at Hill for students?
Is a desk lamp enough lighting?
Would someone without much clothing need an additional dresser?
Are the desk chairs comfortable or do we need to buy a better chair (in a single so would study in room)?
Our move-in is scheduled Thurs AM, we fly in Thurs PM about 4:00, can we still get a key and move-in?</p>
<p>Exciting times! Thanks!</p>
<p>Hill/U Penn emailed me some answers:
No move-in sale.
Need a floor and desk lamp.
One dresser is enough if not much clothing.
Desk chairs are new, on rollers, and nice.
Move-in available 24 hrs/day.</p>
<p>Thanks HouseGeneral for the useful info. I have a request in to Hill regarding early mailing of packages since S is doing PennQuest. I’ll pass on that information for other early movers as soon as I hear something. It is an exciting time - I agree!</p>
<p>So after much discussion we are doing early move-in for DS before his PennQuest trip, then staying in the area (Philly and DC) and returning for the “actual” move-in activities on the 23rd. Last kid so I want all the school hoopla I can get!
Does anyone have any favorite restaurants either in the campus area or in Philly in general? Nothing too pricey, but any cuisine. We hope to see the historic sights and the top art museums.
I wish you all well during move-in - and thanks for your continued advice and assistance!</p>
<p>^^^ Yes, in answer to the restaurant question. I LOVE Distrito, 3945 Chestnut St and 40St. Mexican and so delicious. I can’t wait to bring my daughter back this week. Good luck to the incoming class. My daughter had a great first year @ Penn.</p>
<p>Thanks talaria! I will definately look into those restaurants. And glad to hear your daughter has enjoyed Penn. My son is excited but also in the throes of high school farewells - an emotional time all around.</p>
<p>^^^ Philly is a FANTASTIC restaurant town, with lots of great restaurants in varous restaurant districts (e.g., Rittenhouse Square, Society Hill, Old City, Art Museum/Fairmount, Northern Liberties, South Street/Queen Village, and South Philly, just to name a few near the more touristy areas). And Penn’s own University City neighborhood offers a wide variety of great restaurants (including Distrito, of course :)):</p>
<p>[Restaurants</a> | University City District](<a href=“http://universitycity.org/restaurants]Restaurants”>http://universitycity.org/restaurants)</p>
<p>[University</a> City Restaurants | Urbanspoon](<a href=“http://www.urbanspoon.com/n/21/2045/Philadelphia/University-City-restaurants]University”>http://www.urbanspoon.com/n/21/2045/Philadelphia/University-City-restaurants)</p>
<p>If you Google “Philadelphia Restaurants,” or a specific neighborhood (e.g., University City) and “restaurants,” you can find lots of great listings of Philly restaurants, including various Philadelphia Magazine listings (e.g., Top 50 Restaurants of 2013, etc.), and those of other web sites, including those run by the various neighborhood districts and business associations.</p>
<p>Bon appetit!</p>
<p>Thanks so much 45 percenter! I have read with interest and appreciation your many posts concerning Penn. You have shared so much helpful information - and I’m certain we will benefit from even more in the coming four years. DS’s four years with Penn begins tomorrow!</p>