<p>I noticed there is a thread just for parents on some of the other college forums, and I was thinking maybe we could start one for Yale. I know when my child was heading off as a freshman, I really wished there was somewhere I could go for advice, answers to questions, and sharing information with other parents who have kids at Yale. So, if you are sending your S or D off as a freshman this weekend--congratulations, good luck, and enjoy the next 4 years! If your S or D is a senior, enjoy this last year as graduation approaches. My S will be a junior, and it seems like time is just flying. The last 2 years have been amazingly full with exciting events, occasional crises, fun, and wonderfully interesting classes and activities. We continue to be so happy that our S has this opportunity. This is the first year we are not at Yale at the moment dropping him off and helping him move in--he actually did not come home this summer and is doing all the moving in without us. :-( We miss it!</p>
<p>Great thread idea, Clarimom. D is also a junior, and we moved her in on Wednesday. She loves Yale so much she always wants to be there at the earliest possible moment! The weather was perfect and we had our traditional dinner at Pepe's the night before. It's the best pizza on the planet. :)</p>
<p>ya gotta luv the moms</p>
<p>Booklady, I second your opinion on Pepe's. Anyone whose kids are one of the 'Omni 15'? (JE renovation not completely done on time and 15 students have been relocated to the Omni Hotel until 9/20--<a href="http://www.yaledailynews.com/articles/view/24855">http://www.yaledailynews.com/articles/view/24855</a>)</p>
<p>I enjoy reading the Yale Daily News online daily--it's fun to keep up with the latest news. It's another way to feel connected to S without being intrusive :-)</p>
<p>Thanks for starting this thread, Clarimom. What a great idea. </p>
<p>Must be nice to "have" to live at the Omni. Thanks for the tip on reading the YDN online.</p>
<p>Are there any suggestions you parents have regarding on-campus jobs? Any input on what jobs your kids may have really liked or not liked?</p>
<p>Thanks for starting this thread, Clarimom. My Yalie Class of 2012 is taking a gap year, studying abroad in an area of interest that is outside the normal university curriculum. So he'll be Class of 2013, but I'm with you all in spirit! </p>
<p>Everyone talks about Pepe's and Sally's, but when we visited with S during high school, we ate at yet another New Haven pizzeria, one I found on Chowhound, Modern Apizza. It was fantastic! And the crowd -- a mix of students, grad students, young professors with families in tow -- was such a great microcosm of the Yale community.</p>
<p>We ate at Modern last year and were, frankly, disappointed, since a lot of people said it was better than than the other two (we're also Chowhound devotees). Perhaps it was just an off day for them or something, but we're sticking with Pepe's from now on. You can do the comparison next year, wjb!</p>
<p>Where and what is your S studying, if I may ask?</p>
<p>We'll definitely try Pepe's next year. I think the experience at Modern may have eclipsed the food! It was a remarkably good time, as I imagine Pepe's is, too.</p>
<p>I don't want to risk identifying him publicly, so I'll PM you with details on my son's gap year, Booklady.</p>
<p>I could have used help they day before yesterday, if I'd known what to ask! I'm in New Haven right now, and I'm exhausted. If I never see an Ikea instruction manual again, it will be too soon. If I had the energy, I'd write a list of things I wish I'd known before I got here. Maybe tomorrow, from the airport...</p>
<p>Does anyone know if it is possible to get a full length (not love seat) size couch up the stairs in L-Dub, to the third floor? Need answer before 10 AM tomorrow morning. I have an small Ikea saw and may turn it in to a sectional if the answer is no.</p>
<p>riverrunner, I know that exhausted feeling well. We got S a full size futon from IKEA, which he has had in 3 different residence halls now at Yale, and always manages to get it up the stairs. But, I guess it depends on the width of the couch. I'm not familiar with L-Dub, sorry. (I didn't know IKEA sold saws :-)</p>
<p>But, ask away with any other questions you might have!</p>
<p>Riverrunner--I'm pretty sure you can get a full sized couch up the stairs. If I remember correctly, a lot of people had them against the wall facing the fireplace. </p>
<p>Also, how is your daughter doing so far? Nice roommates?</p>
<p>I'll PM you, AA. Roommates will be fine. Not best friends, probably, but very reasonable, kind kids.</p>
<p>Thank for the encouragement about the couch. I think if I bring a box of donuts with the couch, I can bribe neighbors for help up the stairs.</p>
<p>riverrunner -- No words of wisdom on maneuvering the sofa up the stairs, but oh, those Ikea instruction manuals! And the stuff is so heavy! Hope you're feeling better today.</p>
<p>I absolutely concur that a box of donuts will move the couch.</p>
<p>Finished the IKEA tango yesterday.</p>
<p>Nice to read everyone's musings here and appreciate this thread and the chance to just put down some thoughts at this exciting time. </p>
<p>We came home last night after dropping off our S. He asked if we would do an IKEA run with him and the guys in his suite but they concluded that they should settle in a bit before making any decisions. We agreed.</p>
<p>We were quite impressed with the weekend and other than some stories from other parents about frustration with FedEx and UPS, things seemed well organized to us. We very much enjoyed the Frosh Assembly and I especially liked the Dean's speech. Additionally, I loved the panel discussion Friday afternoon about residential colleges and how they enhance education and all that. My S is not in Pierson but the Master there who was on the panel was most impressive as was the Dean from TD.</p>
<p>I have somewhat monitored these threads over the last year and have found very useful opinions, insights and information in them. One of the recurring discussions about Yale of course is the environment of New Haven. </p>
<p>Truth be told as we walked around the shopping areas Saturday afternoon along Chapel Street down to Orange on both sides of New Haven Green, I can see why people who are not used to being around urban life express some misgivings about New Haven. This area is close to the campus and is not as attractive as the retail areas around the Yale Bookstore and Yale Rep are. Empty lots, ugly storefronts and certainly some homeless and other street characters were noticeable. </p>
<p>Yet I am not concerned about it nor bothered by it having grown up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in the early-mid 70s. Nor do I think my son is. And I would not let that reality in itself prevent someone from going to Yale. As in all things, caution is in order. </p>
<p>But New Haven is not Cambridge in terms of the environment and energy near campus (and I have no affiliation with Harvard at all). </p>
<p>But New Haven is fine in the end -- no better or worse than the vast majority of college cities. And I concur with those who say there is some benefit to going to school in that kind of urban environment. </p>
<p>And Yale is truly an amazing place in countless ways. We are grateful for the opportunities it will afford our son and is a great fit for him in ways that other schools he got into are not.</p>
<p>We should also be thinking a great deal this weekend of families along the Gulf Coast who are in schools there. We considered Tulane seriously for a time and know some students who attend there and are just starting there. To say nothing of the thousands and thousands of others there who are being displaced...</p>
<p>I'm enjoying these move-in stories! LOL at the possible sectional.</p>
<p>Hi, my son is beginning his second year and is very happy to be back. The 1st thing he wanted to do was to get buffalo wings at a place called Swings,he and his friends love this place. My H and I were horrified when our son took us there,it looked like a place I could have built (I have never built anything in my life) no A/C or heat, however the food was pretty good. Moved in on Wed. easy move because we had our son drag everything up to the 4th floor.LOL If anyone has questions about Branford,Yale or New Haven just ask Good Luck to all</p>
<p>Moved DD in on Wednesday. She called to tell us that she spent Friday helping freshmen move in all day - she has no advice about the futon, she is in another building - but food is always a great incentive.</p>
<p>Tried a great vegetarian restaurant, Ahimsa, on Chapel. Much better food than Claire's. </p>
<p>I don't want to get into a Cambridge vs. New Haven debate, but as more kids return to the Have, the energy level just keeps rising. As the upperclassmen return, there is just a sense of excitement. Overall, the happiness factor is pretty darn high.</p>
<p>Both my H and I were unable to go. My D went by herself. I wonder if anyone knows whether, where and when a video of the freshman assembly and speeches will be posted on the web. I remember I saw the pictures and speeches last year while my D was applying. It would be nice to see this year when she is actually one of freshmen there. Any infor is appreciated.</p>
<p>The waiting line at Pepe's can be a killer. Consider calling in advance for take out and eating it in Wooster Square Park or some other place. Believe me, it is worth it! Try the white clam pizza or anything else, you won't regret it.</p>