Hello everyone,
I’m a recently admitted student and plan to attend in the fall. I’m unable to attend Yale’s Bulldog Days because of the cost, and I would be missing 6 dualenrollment college classes.
I think the real question is if anyone else is unable to attend?
Is it ok that I cannot attend?
Is it more beneficial to attend a daytime visit?
Thanks for any response in advance!!
Congratulations! Not every accepted student attends Bulldog Days, which is really aimed at students who are undecided between Yale and another college. Since you’ve decided upon Yale, there really isn’t any reason for you to attend other than the enjoyment of the festivities – but you will have that for the next 4 years. So, no worries!
If finances are an issue, you can try calling Yale and see if they can’t underwrite the cost of the trip. It’s not out of the question, if you’re a Fin Aid recipient.
@gibby Thanks!
@T26E4 While finances are an issue, I have some major exams in my dual enrollment college classes at that time.
Do you think that they will allow students to visit during the Summer?
Sure – they have visitors all year round. Don’t sweat it however. It’s not that big a deal one way or another. Do what’s most convenient for you.
One thought is to ask your profs if you can take the exams early?
@SantiagoAlverez, just fyi, but if you visit during the summer there won’t be that many students there.
Re T26E4’s suggestion about asking your professors: I can’t think of a more worthy request of a prof than wanting to attend admitted student’s day at Yale. To the extent that they contributed to your success, they should be proud.
Good luck with BDD, but if you just can’t make it, you’ll be fine. Congratulations.
Another thought too is that if you do choose Yale, many if not all of the college exams you are taking could be moot. Yale is extremely picky about what they do or don’t take for credit. It may be worthwhile to try and move the dates of the exams. Its not critical that you attend but it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. You can also ask for assistance with travel and once you are there your costs are covered by staying with students and eating on campus. In the summer you will not have access to dorms, RC’s and other big parts of the Yale experience. You can walk the grounds but even the official tour wont give you much actual access. If you are trying to decide between schools, this is your best chance to make an honest decision. If this is where you are going come hell or high water, then boola boola…you will be there soon enough and its just a fun few days of excitement and new friends.
Anecdotally, two years ago, Yale paid the full travel costs for Bulldog Days for the son of a friend of mine who lives in the Pacific Northwest and couldn’t otherwise afford to attend. I’d try to get your exams moved - it sounds like a really good time.
My son received financial aid to go to BDD. It wouldn’t hurt to ask!
As a CC professor who teaches dual enrollment classes, YIKES on some of this advice!
Dual enrollment classes are not the same as AP classes. The exams are the exams for the classes, not something added on at the end. To tell him to skip them is to tell him to get a lower grade in the class. Further, if @SantiagoAlverez has that many exams at that time, it may well be final exam time–and at my school, to miss final exams, students have to petition the provost. It takes something like the death of a parent or a mandatory military exercise to get out of them (or to take them early).
In any case, as y’all know, unlike high school, where students are in a particular class 180 days or more, college classes meet 2-3 days a week for 15 weeks (and a 4 or 5 credit semester class is often the equivalent of a year’s high school credit). So you’re essentially suggesting that he miss a week or even two week’s worth of a comparable high school class for a fun but completely optional activity.
As you might guess, my Yale admit–also a dual enrolled student, didn’t even consider BDD because he’d miss too much class. My Yale sophomore also didn’t consider going back when he was a senior because he knew there was no way on God’s green earth that his boarding school would excuse those absences.
Santiago, you don’t need to go. Not going will in NO way affect you in the fall.
Bulldog Days are for YOU and for YOUR benefit. No, you do not need to go. However…it is a wonderful time! How many tests do you have? Are they every single day? For BDD you can show up to one, or two, or three days (just be sure to communicate schedule with your host). If you receive Fin Aid travel is paid for. I can say that if you are in the Northeast and take Amtrak there is a portal used for making your travel arrangements on Yale’s account. I assume it is the same for air travel from other parts of the country but I don’t know details.
@ElMimino-could you please tell me how you arranged financial aid for your son’s visit to BDD? I am helping a first generation student and called Yale admissions on Monday and they told me to send an email. I did and have not received any response. This student wants to go next week because it is spring break and the student doesn’t want to miss any classes. Yale told admitted students that if BDD is not good on their schedule, that they can arrange a personalized visit. Any contact name or help you could give would be very much appreciated.
My son went in 2014, and we received notification on Apr 8 of that year. I think that if you receive financial aid, you will be getting an email with the details. (I’m sorry… I wish I knew more about how things work for everyone, but I only know how they worked for us!) … I had already made air travel reservations, and canceled them when we got the email. Expect the notice to arrive in the student’s email. (And keep us posted, so we know too!)
@T26E4 : Thanks! I’m thinking about scheduling a personalized visit, or asking about just taking a tour during summer.
@Memmsmom :I’ve already made my decision to go to yale! Woooo!
@DeepBlue86 @ElMimino : Thanks for that interesting tidbit.
@classicalmama :It is true that I am unable to move the exams and classes. Thanks for helping to inform others. I’m a wee bit late.
@momcinco Thank you for your input as well!
Thank you all for being helpful to me~!
Thanks @momcinco @T26E4 @Memmsmom @DeepBlue86 @ElMimino @classicalmama
Great news! I am able to go on Monday, and a little on Tuesday. I spoke to the dean of the Community college and my professors for permission, and since I’m the first student ever from my school district, they are allowing me to go those days!!!
That is indeed great news!
@SantiagoAlverez , I’m not surprised. They must be proud.
Excellent!!!
Great news - congratulations!
Excellent news! Now, contact Yale so that they can take care of the costs - if you’re on financial aid, it should be covered for you but you have to ask.