<p>how does it work? have had the following experiences: cornell (ok, not disorganized but just sort of on your own, catch as catch can, mainly freedom from parking restrictions for the day) and vanderbilt (superbly organized, cars formed up at athletic facility parking lot by assigned area and dorm AND when caravan arrived at dorm each had in front squads of students in special t-shirts who carried stuff up to the rooms for you, greatly appreciated by dads/moms, especially with no elevators (at cornell, as it happened, target room was close to available elevator)). got done at vanderbilt very quickly with no strain, very appreciated. so how's it done at vassar?</p>
<p>and for last minute shopping for dorm stuff, is there in poughkeepsie or near a: target? costco? valmart? where's the closest hardware store? supermarket? deli? pizza? chinese? do any of these places deliver to dorms - is this allowed?</p>
<p>re dorms/rooms: is there secure/lockable storage, like in the basement or attic? or do you keep stuff at rented storage in town during the summer? and, are small refridgerators or microwaves or toaster ovens allowed? and is there a rental service (at cornell, you could rent a combo small fridge with microwave attached to top, which was delivered to room and picked up at year end - but it cost about $100 per year, which is about cost of small fridge which you would then own (but have to store, but then you'll have other stuff to store))? any restrictions on the above? cornell didn't allow toaster ovens (or, for that matter, halogen lamps, which run so hot as to be a fire hazard, a decision with which this parent gratefully concurred having on many occasions entered student's room hours after they went to school and finding light on burning bright and hot and unattended - any stray paper and poof, you'd have a fire). </p>
<p>for that matter, what's the dining plan like, is it mandatory (very often is for frosh), and do students eat breakfast in their rooms? coffeemakers ok? i understand there is a 'cash' card for use not at main dining - some people complain re either main dining not open late enough (thus forcing use of cash card) or of other issues with meal plans/arrangements - what are the issues? has anyone thought of getting CIA (that would be Culinary Institute of America, located nearby, not the other one) to run the food program? (just joking/fantasizing - but at cornell, the presence of the hotel school undoubtedly contributes to the excellence of on campus chow, at least in the frosh section of campus; vandy food is just ok, standard institutional, but there is a quiznos in one dorm, other places too, which are accessed thru cash card - cornell's food was simply outstanding.)</p>
<p>any special food during exams? middlebury had late nights at main hall, with special snacks and carbs, ie cookies, muffins, hot chocolate, etc., during exam time, almost cornellian in quality (meant simply as a compliment).</p>
<p>re computers, is there a campus computer service or center where problems with computers can be addressed and solved? not just using the school network, but individual problems with your machine at they arise? and, i have heard that macs are somewhat more prevalent and accomodated than PCs, which is ok as daughter wants to get a mac to replace her high school required IBM pc. macs are, of course, more $. anyway, what's available to help at vassar when the blue screen of death (probably doesn't happen on a mac, i wouldn't know) intrudes late in night before exam or paper?</p>
<p>any other tips re day to day life of practical consequence? </p>
<p>would appreciate any insights or suggestions you can offer. we are so thrilled about this particular kid going to Vassar, it seems a perfect match.</p>
I appreciated the extra time, though, because unlike a lot of other kids, I wont have a car to take all my stuff with me. It’s all coming in luggage, so it’s a bit tricky, and very different from the way other students will be moving in i suppose. Plus, vassar’s not the only one…i still have to pay international shipping rates for many online stores (that was a side note, but just trying to show, its not uncommon).</p>