<p>I wanted to post this for anyone deciding between a Decision Day tour versus the weekday Admitted Student Visits. We (my husband, myself and my D) attended a weekday visit and I have to say it was disappointing and no different from an ordinary prospective student tour. There was a 1/2 hour talk, followed by a tour and lunch. Granted, the weather was not cooperative, but all in all, my D did not "feel" like an admitted student. </p>
<p>Our tour guide was very nice and did his best to dodge the raindrops. However, we learned nothing new and saw the same two dorms that we have seen on previous tours (russell and thompson). From what I have read on these forums, there are many other freshman dorms, why must they always show the same two? The tour was followed by a complimentary lunch in the russell dining hall.</p>
<p>The best part of the day and certainly the most informative, (and which was arranged by me), was the opportunity for my D to sit in on a class, followed by a tour of the department. In short, my advice to anyone attending a weekday admitted student visit, is to make your own individual arrangments and do not expect the scheduled part of the day to "convince" you into choosing UD over another school.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info, that was very helpful. I have a weekday tour scheduled for next week, along with a department tour, and I was hoping this trip would give me some clarification. Oh well, like you said, I guess the department tour will be useful.</p>
<p>You’re welcome. Perhaps you will have a better experience than we did. It’s good that you made arrangements for a departmental tour though, I’m sure you will be glad you did. Good luck.</p>
<p>I took the weekday tour knowing that it was going to be similar to the previous tour I took. I wasn’t able to see the dorms on the first tour (there was some mix up and the guide couldn’t find the right dorm), so that was the main benefit of the second tour (along with free lunch).</p>
<p>I observed a lecture, but didn’t think of arranging a department tour, though. I don’t think I would have had the time, anyways.</p>
<p>After seeing “Delaware, the musical” and going through the admitted students info session, I am convinced that the admissions department specializes in making cheesy videos.</p>
<p>Good luck Udel 15, let me know how it goes. </p>
<p>Another note on admitted student days… perhaps we should look past the rah rah. We attended Fashion Institute of Technology yesterday. Not exactly bells and whistles either, but very organized and very informative. After speaking with the current students about her major, we realized there were no bells an whistles needed. There is no comparison with respect to the NYC location, connections to the industry and internship opportunities. After all, college is about preparing these kids for careers, at least that’s what it was about when I went to school. For her chosen major, FIT is the smarter choice with respect to career opportunities (and the tuition is much more affordable as well) and that’s where she will be headed in the Fall.</p>
<p>So keep the future in focus, look past the balloons and breakfasts, and base your decision on your own individual goals.</p>
<p>k1k2k3- Congrats on reaching a decision (especially a less costly one!). UD was D’s first choice, by far, so unless something awful is revealed on DD, UD is where she’ll be going.</p>
<p>Thanks Udel15. Your D has certainly traveled a bumpy road to get to the point of deservedly enjoying decision day. Good luck and let us know how it goes.</p>
<p>That’s part of college, certainly, but there’s a lot more to it. It’s also about broadening their minds by exposing them to subjects and ideas they might not have considered before, becoming part of a community, living (somewhat) on their own, learning to get along with many different kinds of people, etc. College is not just vocational school (and I say this as the mother of a Classics major who is actually employed. :))</p>
<p>That said, it certainly sounds like FIT is a great fit (so to speak ;)) for your D, and I know she’ll love NYC!</p>
<p>I don’t know how to use the official quote function here, so I will have to do it this way…</p>
<p>"It’s also about broadening their minds by exposing them to subjects and ideas they might not have considered before, becoming part of a community, living (somewhat) on their own, learning to get along with many different kinds of people, etc. "</p>
<p>You are right, and fortunately, as a student in a selective and highly regarded college, D will have the opportunity to reap ALL of the benefits you have mentioned, especially in getting along with many different kinds of people, as I can’t think of a more diverse place!! Her campus is NYC and if your mind doesn’t broaden there, I’m not sure where it will. </p>
<p>There is certainly more than one way to approach these four years. Each student should determine in their own way, which “ends” will justify which “means.”</p>
<p>last year my daughter and i attended during the week, rather than on a decision day. we sat through the informational video with everyone and at the end of it, they asked that all admitted students remain and dismissed the others to continue on with the walking tour. they then talked to just the 3 admitted students and asked questions that they had and showed the video to welcome admitted students. they gave each student a personal tour guide. our guide was in the same major as my daughter so she customized the tour and answered our questions in detail. although we didn’t need to be sold (my daughter knew she was going to attend), she was more excited than ever after we finished our tour. it was very well done and we felt great about being part of the blue hen family.</p>
<p>It sounds like they may have done it differently this year, or it sounds like you attended a general prospective student info session. Perhaps in that case they single out the admitted students. The weekday session we attended last week (which was one of the listed sessions on the mybluehen admitted student page) was specfically for admitted students, so there was no need to differentiate.</p>
<p>Even though it (rain) makes for a less than optimal experience, I think it can be a good thing. After all, if you like the campus when it’s not at its best, you will for sure like it when it’s bright and sunny : )</p>
<p>Can anyone who has been to a DD at UDel answer what dress is the norm? Friend said his kid wore a suit and tie to his DD (another school). Is this the norm, or are the kids dressed a little more casually?</p>