<p>We were planning a Spring Break trip for my high school senior DD and a few of her friends (all traveling with us). It looks like we may have to postpone the trip to summer. And I need to reserve the beach front condo soon. We don't know yet which college each girl will choose to attend. I'm currently looking at the last week in July for the vacation. When schools have freshmen orientation (or whatever it's called to visit the school and choose classes, etc. prior to the start of the school year), is that usually offered on multiple dates? I'd hate to make travel plans and then find out one of the girls will have a college conflict. The possible schools all start classes in early September or late August, but websites aren't listing the summer orientation. Thanks.</p>
<p>It depends on the college. Most do have multiple dates. You can check the schedules for all the colleges for the past summer to see. That should give you some idea.</p>
<p>I get the need for planning momma, but this just seems to invite bad karma to me. 
</p>
<p>btw: have you tried googling [college name] orientation 2014? (That will give you last year’s dates, which won’t likely change.)</p>
<p>As a general rule, colleges that draw their students from all over the country – which means the most selective schools, such as the Ivy League – hold their orientation just before classes start because having to make a separate trip to the campus for orientation in the middle of the summer would be very expensive for many students.</p>
<p>However, many colleges that draw their students primarily from the nearby area, such as state universities, hold smaller orientation sessions throughout the summer. In some cases, students may have a choice about which orientation to attend, but don’t count on it. For example, if a student is in the honors program, that student might have to attend a particular orientation session that is intended for honors students.</p>
<p>My one kiddo went to Boston University which draws from all over the country and internationally as well. They had orientation sessions all summer long…the last one was reserved for international students, and those who lived a long distance from the school.</p>
<p>My daughter went to Santa Clara University. While many of their students are from the west coast, they also have international and far away stidents. That school also had orientation sessions several times during the summer.</p>
<p>The only way to know about your potential colleges is to see what they did last year. It’s likely it will be the same.</p>
<p>Look up the orientation dates for each college that she applies to. Then figure out what vacation dates minimize conflict with orientation dates. Note: at some schools with multiple orientation dates to choose from, earlier orientation groups may get higher priority in choosing courses and sections than later ones.</p>
<p>For example, at the University of Michigan:
<a href=“http://www.onsp.umich.edu/orientation/parentfamily-member/families-freshmen/orientation-dates”>http://www.onsp.umich.edu/orientation/parentfamily-member/families-freshmen/orientation-dates</a></p>
<p>At the Michigan State University:
<a href=“http://www.orientation.msu.edu/fso/fso_program.html#dates”>http://www.orientation.msu.edu/fso/fso_program.html#dates</a></p>
<p>Welcome to the college world. We have had a lot of trouble scheduling family vacations since our kids went to college. One year we had a house at the shore and our DD was invited to spend a week at an observatory in California that week (she’s an Astrophysics major). Oh well. I would just aim for what seems likely to be a safe week for your daughter, and not try to figure out every kid’s potential conflicts. It’s a losing battle. </p>
<p>Good advise, everyone. Thank you!</p>
<p>I will say…the summer before each of our kids went to undergrad school, we did not take the family summer vacation. It was crazy. Both kids were working, and between orientation and other family obligations, taking a week off was not possible. Also, we grown ups took time off to take the kids to college…we took a few extra days there and that was our vacation.</p>
<p>I know lots of families view this as the last vacation with the kids before they leave the nest. But it just couldn’t hapoen here.</p>
<p>This is a problem you will forever have. I am having a problem scheduling our vacation next summer because my now freshman keeps talking about going abroad for the summer and I have no idea when she intends to go (or if she is even going). Very frustrating.</p>
<p>You make the vacation plans. Those who can come will, those who can’t will miss it.</p>
<p>I think the last week in July is probably safe for Orientations. Most schools have them either in June or just before school starts in Aug. You can’t possibly predict a time when everyone will be available, no one will die, no one will be sick, the weather will be nice, there won’t be a work emergency. All you can do is pick the week that looks like it will work the best, and then pray.</p>
<p>I didn’t know til probably last year that there were such things as orientations during the summer. I just assumed everyone’s orientation was a New Student Week right before the returning students. Live and learn.</p>
<p>Pizza… welcome to the world of state U’s. When son had his SOAR (summer orientation, advising and registration)dates in Madison, WI there was a family who drove the family there from Boston for a vacation to the region. The welcome week activities were around the start of classes and international students had SOAR right before then. Getting SOAR dates begins in the spring- another sign up students hopefully coordinate with parents (whose attendance is optional).</p>
<p>Right now none of the seniors even know where they will attend college most likely. You can ask them if a summer vacation with your D sounds feasible/desirable before trying to book places. They are emerging adults, with lives separate from their childhoods. Just wait until your D comes home from college and is never home- off seeing friends whose lives only intersect when they are all in town. Be sure to ask her what her plans are from now on forever- you may have plans for when she comes home but she will be making her own without your input.</p>
<p>Wis…not just state universities. Both of my kids went to private colleges. Both schools had orientation sessions thoughout the summer. </p>
<p>There is also admitted students day, which is typically in the spring in the month before you are required to send in an enrollment deposit to finalize your choice. </p>
<p>Not everyone attends admitted students days. Those debating between choices are most likely to attend those. Many variable for your D and her friends. Do not be disappointed if/when the vacation plans become very different from what you envisioned.</p>