I’m heading off to PP next week and I’m wondering what I should bring and if I have to bring a sleeping bag. Some of you have already gone through your first day and I hope you had a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to the experience.
A sleeping bag, pillow, overnight bag and a backpack. You will drop off everything for the overnight when you check in at registration, but a backpack might be useful if you buy stuff from the bookstore, carry a water bottle, or just to keep track of the stuff they give you.
@srlilly Do we leave everything at the check in tent? It looks like we don’t meet our hosts until dinner time.
You can either leave your bag at the check in spot in the morning where they will tag it and put aside for you or get your bag from your car later in the day before meeting your host. I did the latter as I assumed I had to carry my bag all day with me.
The dean addresses the incoming class around 4 and you meet your host afterward for dinner. I dropped my bag off at 3:45 and picked up after meeting my host.
@JasonMath
@srlilly @Fuzerabit
Thanks for the information. I’ll be sure to bring an empty bag with me then. Did either of you, by any chance, ever go from the Philadelphia airport to Princeton? I’m not exactly sure where the stations are and I’m just planning on figuring it all out when I get there, but does Princeton email me any information getting closer to Preview Day? Also, will Princeton be sending me the train tickets or do I buy those myself?
Take the SEPTA Regional Rail to 30th Street Station and then transfer to a SEPTA train to Trenton. Change to a New Jersey Transit train to Princeton Junction. From Princeton Junction you take the “Dinky” to Princeton.
@skieurope So do I just buy the train tickets at each station? Sorry if these are dumb questions; I’ve never traveled solo before. Also are the tickets expensive?
You buy the SEPTA ticket at the ticket machine at the Philadelphia airport train station, which will cover the ride to Trenton via 30th Street. At Trenton you get the New Jersey Transit ticket for your continuing travel to Princeton. It’s less than $20 each way.
@justcardsin
They provide you with a drawstring bag to put things in.
I would go with the above advice about travel as my mom came with me.
justcardsin - my D went to Preview last week. Are you traveling alone? They should be sending you information very shortly - there is a travel matrix that lays out how to get to the campus – if you are flying in, I think you will be greeted at the airport and there is a van that will take you to the campus.
@carlson2 I am traveling alone. I haven’t received any information yet but thank you for the heads up. I hope that’s the case as it would make traveling a lot more comfortable.
justcardsin - I am pm’ing you.
@JasonMath and @justcardsin, sorry I missed your questions, although they have been successfully answered! I went to the first Preview with my daughter. I just wanted to add that while there are a lot of parents there, you will be fine if you are attending solo - in fact, we met quite a few students who were. Also, there is so much to see and do given the day’s programming, don’t be disappointed if you can’t fit it all in. I think the best part for the admitted students is later in the afternoon (4ish), when they listen to the president’s welcome while the parents are directed to another building far away to watch the simulcast. Once you meet with your host student (and the parents are out of the way), you will probably have a better sense of the campus vibe. Good luck!
Will they give us a copy of the schedule and classes we can sit in on when we arrive or should we bring the one they emailed?
They will provide another copy upon arrival/check-in.