<p>just wondering if others have recvd freshman info yet---my s recvd all kinds of welcoming info from the colleges he turned down, but none yet from w & l--probably just a different timetable</p>
<p>planning a road trip to see the school (s was there for J scholarship comp) but he wants family to see it...and seems a perfect place to relax and enjoy nature...we'll be driving from S Florida--any suggestions or tips?</p>
<p>make your reservations for freshman move in day immediately. don't wait or you'll be 50 miles away in Roanoke.
Eat at Cafe Michel or Southern Inn (expensive for lex but not for a big city). There are a few new ones that seem to be very good also.
Try to find reservations for Parents Day if you can. It's a nightmare to find a room but fun to attend.
get there before school lets out (before May ends).</p>
<p>i haven't received any info yet either--i'm a newly admitted johnson scholar as well.</p>
<p>i'm hoping since may 1st has come and gone, information will be coming soonish??</p>
<p>Hi Lindz,</p>
<p>Nope, we haven't rec'd anything yet either. </p>
<p>We are actually driving up this week - same reason, but probably not going to have a lot of time for relaxing -- its going to be a pretty quick trip. I'm really looking foward to it though. </p>
<p>Btw, I think it might already be too late to find a room nearby for Parent's Weekend -- at least I haven't had any luck so far. I have D1 in Charlottesvile also though, so we'll be seeing both anyway - guess we'll use that as home base even though it's a bit of a distance between the two.</p>
<p>Suggestions for PW and other busy times -- sometimes there are private houses that rent out for these events. Nice and close too! We found a stunning place in the mountains by watching the daily "postmaster" announcements - amazing experience.</p>
<p>OK -- eating in Lexington is not official until you've topped whatever off with Sweet Things ice cream. Salerno's is also a student institution -- great sandwiches for low prices. Blue Sky Bakery nearby is our favorite sandwich spot for lunch. The Palms is a traditional corner pub that makes a good lunch or casual dinner spot (try the Stonewall -- been having one for good luck every time we come since S's scholarship competition days a couple years ago). In addition to Southern Inn (another favorite of ours - also near campus) and Cafe Michel, there's the Bistro (Italian-ish, short walk from campus downtown) and Sheridan Livery (in the hotel, grilled fare). For breakfast, Lexington Cafe - no one does it better, faster, or cheaper. Plus entertainment value from watching the "morning after crew" straggle in. Bon appetit Generals!</p>
<p>Oh yes -- I recall the W&L freshman yr stuff coming in later than other schools too, so don't worry about that. Believe me, these folks will get it right. S is already "booked" for freshman orientation entertainment duties in August, so they're def getting ready for you ;)</p>
<p>thank you very much for great suggestions--I hadn't even thought about parents weekend--when is it?</p>
<p>Oct 24th 26th.</p>
<p>And likewise Music and Esquette, thanks for the tips. We will definitely put them to use.</p>
<p>thanks flavadad--are you driving straight to Va or staying over someplace? hope you and your family enjoy the trip! love to hear about your experience once you're back--we're going early July.</p>
<p>is your daughter interested in that program -- Leading Edge, before school starts? my son wants to do it and trying to figure out when parents would go up--still the 8/30 date? just thinking it thru...probably help once we get the parent info...
how did you guys get all your stuff to school, did you drive there? again thanks...</p>
<p>Lindz--
We drove 13 hours. Way too long.
Moving in was incredibly well organized and well run. Met two of the deans--
Didn't do the Leading Edge because we live summer in God's country.
"General" tips:
What I have learned after one year is that flying out of Roanoke is prohibitive.
Richmond is much less money. A car is needed to get to Richmond. Don't give your child a car during Rush. So the first year is much more expensive for travel than the subsequent years.
Sons spend less money than daughters.
The Southern Inn gives a student a discount. Makes great burgers along with other great food.
If you party in Lexington, use Traveler and don't walk the streets late at night. PM me for more info if needed--.
Learn the honor code and what is/isn't allowed. Live it.
Get involved at school.</p>
<p>Made it back from W&L late Sunday. We had a great visit. The scenic drive from Charlottesville was even better than I remembered, and although bad weather threatened a couple of times, we made out pretty well in that dept. too. </p>
<p>As expected, the campus was beautiful. The front campus was set up for the Law school graduation exercises and looked like a postcard. Encountering the foot bridges was also an unexpected surprise - wow! </p>
<p>Although the campus was pretty quiet and serene, which I gather to be normal for Spring term, D had no problem meeting people duing our visit. One student literally spent an hour sharing her experiences and dispensing hard earned bits of wisdom for getting ready for the W&L experience. We didn't hover as they were talking. I wanted to give her a chance to be candid. And she was. D welcomed the exchange, which apparently, served to reaffirm her decision to attend. </p>
<p>Later, D3 met a professor in the science building. They apparently had a thoughtful conversation about the wisdom of using the stairs during evenings and weekends as they considered the plight of two students stuck in one of the elevators. No worries though, help arrived shortly thereafter. </p>
<p>We took musictoad and Esquette's dining advice. The Southern Inn was great. Great food. We liked our waitress so much we decided to adopt her. She was incredibly sweet and and offered a lot of information about the area. The Palms was good too. I was tempted, but didn't try the Stonewall this time, Esquette. However, I have the definite feeling I'll be eating there again in the Fall. </p>
<p>Overall, D had a wonderful time visiting and so did the rest of us. We are all so excited about the opportunies D2 will have at W&L. It was a bit strange to hear two of my kids engaging in a friendly, and at times, extremely humorous debate about which of their chosen schools is best. This got kicked off when D1 found a bumper sticker in the bookstore that proclaimed "W&L is THE University of Virginia." Then during the tour we were told the gymnasium's namesake is actually a UVA grad who was so impressed with W&L, he donated his money to them. From that point forward it was Lee vs. Jefferson, small vs. big, private vs. public, Generals vs. Cavaliers, and so on. DW and I felt a little older, but very blessed at the thought they have such fine opportunities to spar about.</p>
<p>FLVADAD -- Glad you enjoyed visting W&L and Lexington. Welcome to the Generals family. Sounds like your Ds are right where they want to be, and how fun it is for them to be close together in VA.</p>
<p>Like each child's personality, each child's college experience is unique. S1 still feels like W&L was "made for him" (and we agree), while S2 is excited about his own choice for this fall (and we agree on that too). As it should be!</p>
<p>glad you had a great time in Lexvegas. Next time try Cafe Michel for the prime rib or something more French. Southern Inn, though, is the family favorite.
Pretty soon you'll be bombarded with all sorts of questions re: refrigerators, sheets, etc. Post them on this website so more people can share their views and advice. I know I really appreciated all the helpful hints even if I regret not listening to the advice given.</p>
<p>FLVADAD--wow sounds like you all had the quintessential college visit--great description--you made the school come to life...glad to hear it reinforced your daughter's choice...and that she got to really talk with a friendly student...</p>
<p>any tips re: the traveling part of your trip would be so welcome since we're both Floridians? :-D
esquette and musictoad--you guys are so helpful--haven't received any ?'s re: dorm items yet but hearing your experiences would be great. thanks!</p>