<p>Information about the pre orientation programs arrived in the mail today ( I live about an hour north of Tufts). Does anyone have any thoughts/insights/advice?
Right now I'm leaning towards the wilderness program...not sure though.</p>
<p>I was a peer leader for FIT for two years, as well as being a participant my freshman year. It is an amazing program with many perks. One big one is that you get to move in to your dorm early and really get used to the campus before anyone else. The program offers so many fun things like sailing, rock climbing, a boston harbor boat cruise, yoga, pilates, and many others. This program is not just for athletes and anyone should consider it.</p>
<p>My son did FIT and hated it. (Sorry sasa!) Thought the activities were very goofy and contrived. The worse part was that he was very lonely in the dorm. Here he was, away at college knowing no one and the only other person on his floor was the RA. He had nothing to do at night, and because the computers can't be hooked up to the ethernet until official orientation, he didn't even have that. Perhaps if he had lived in an all freshman dorm with other kids participating in FIT it would have been different. It was a very rocky start to his Tufts experience, but thankfully once the rest of the freshmen moved into his dorm and he met his roommate, things improved exponentially. Yeah, it was convenient to move him in early but that was the only plus to FIT for him.<br>
However, he heard great things about the wilderness program and the volunteer program (don't remember the official names for them).</p>
<p>Ohh, I want this mailing. I need to read more about the FOCUS program (the volunteer one).</p>
<p>I'm looking at Focus too! My only ? about that is that where do you stay? I don't think I want to be on campus.. I thought I wanted to to Wilderness, but you have to bring all your own equipment and thats kind of a pain in the ass.</p>
<p>Yeah the wilderness one sounds a little hard core... "as little interaction with civilization as possible." I like hiking and all but dang. Also I don't know if the first impression I want to make on my classmates is one where I'm completely grimy ;)
I think I'll choose FOCUS, specifically the 'giving camp,' working with adults and children with developmental disabilities.
Anyone else?</p>
<p>My friends who did FOCUS stayed in churches near their work site, and the last night or two of the program is usually spent in Gantcher, the big sports center on campus. This is only with other FOCUS groups, and its not really like you're on campus. </p>
<p>My friends who did Wilderness loved it and are still friends with their group 3 years later. Granted, it's not for everyone, I would never do it, but people have had very positive experiences.</p>
<p>as I am an international... i don't think I will be able to take part in these programs as they coincide with international orientation which begins on the 28th... what a pity!</p>