<p>The OP said both choices were SUNY schools. State u’s in our state don’t have Fall Orientation weeks for freshmen.<br>
Pre-frosh choose from six or eight dates to attend two day orientations during the summer. They tour the campus, eat in the dining halls,sleep in a dorm,attend informational meetings and meet with advisors to plan schedules. It’s not a big event. There are no camping trips or other freshman bonding experiences. Of course the SUNY schools may be different.</p>
<p>I have a friend whose daughter was admitted for spring at the college she planned to attend and she was going to go for it. In August she got the news that she could start in September and off she went.</p>
<p>Wait until after the second visit to #2 for accepted students. If your kid doesn’t make friends as easily, and wants to get off with a good out of classroom experience, go with #2. If he is not the type that cares, go with #1. Heck, if he goes with #2 and is waitlisted at #1, he could STILL get called off the waitlist for fall while he is waiting it out during the summer. But once he starts at #2, leave behind thinking about still getting to #1. Let #1 go and let him wrap his head around his NEW #1. They want him more.</p>
<p>update: We went to #2…which in reality was like #1 1/2 ha ha. As before, he totally loved it. He got to talk to a professor in his major, tour the facilities, etc. We all felt it was a great fit. We have given him the choice of CC for the Fall and #1 in the Spring or start right off at #2. He’s thrilled to accept admission to #2. We paid the deposit and bought a lot of gear at the bookstore. 
He’s making friends on Facebook and is walking around in his School sweatpants right now. I think all is well. </p>
<p>Thanks for all the great advice and opinions.</p>
<p>I don’t think health insurance will be an issue - most will keep the kids under 19 regardless of student status.</p>
<p>great job, mamabear…good to hear!! best of luck!!!</p>
<p>Congrats to your S, mamabear. I know you’re all relieved and happy.</p>
<p>Glad he is excited about his choice–congratulations!</p>
<p>Uh-oh, another mamabear user name! Could get confusing!</p>
<p>S1 was a spring admit to Berkeley which was his first choice. They offer a fall program to spring admits which is run by Berkeley’s extension program. S1 attended that program, and it was a good experience. One benefit is that the class sizes are small. He was also able to live in a dorm the entire freshman year. With these two aspects, being a spring admit was pretty seamless. He graduated phi beta kappa 4.5 years later.</p>
<p>Every cub has a mamabear!</p>
<p>I am SO glad to hear the kid went where he was wanted! Great maturity shown to say “Man, I can make this path work!” A terrific life lesson learned – that there are lots of paths and the occasional “no” does not stop the world from turning. </p>
<p>Way to go Mamabear! Your kid done good.</p>
<p>Our neighbors’s D had a spring admit offer to her #1 and a fall offer at #2. Decided she’d start at #2 and transfer to #1 in the spring. Fast forward: She graduates from #2 magna cum laude this spring. Best decision she ever made.</p>
<p>Great news to mamabear1209. Time to start calling it his #1!!</p>
<p>Love the one you’re with!!</p>