<p>I was hoping to start a thread to help parents with children attending Yale in the fall. I know I have many questions and hope other parents do too. And I hope we find some wise, experienced parents to guide us....</p>
<p>To start: Are any other parents planning on attending Bulldog Days? Where are you planning to stay? Looks like a very full schedule for the students. Question for "past pre-frosh parents" are there "must do" activities for parents? Restaurants?</p>
<p>What a good idea. I was on the Yale site yesterday trying to get some parent information, and as a little disappointed that there wasn't much available, so I hope this will fill in the gaps.</p>
<p>My daughter will be attending Bulldog Days, but we had assumed that it was only for admitted students, and weren't planning to go.</p>
<p>And you?</p>
<p>On the admitted website somewhere it said about half of the students come with parents in tow, but we parents have to find our own housing. They have a few events just for parents and I guess we are allowed to attend classes too. I am planning on attending at this point. I made a reservation at the Omni which was fairly expensive, but looked like a good option in terms of location. Any parents attend last year that felt it was worthwhile?</p>
<p>I did not know that there were parent events. Hmmm. I'm sure my daughter would be horrified if we suddenly said we were tagging along. :-) But to sit in on classes would be wonderful. Maybe we'll change our minds. We don't have her flight reservations yet. </p>
<p>Where do you live?</p>
<p>And has your son/daughter decided that Yale is it, or is he/she still considering other universities?</p>
<p>D went to Bulldog Days on her own, so I can't comment on the activities, but I will say that we always stay at the Marriott Courtyard. Park once, and you can walk all over campus from there. We also walk (if the weather's nice) to Pepe's - the best pizza on the planet. :)</p>
<p>My parents aren't attending Bulldogs Days :(.</p>
<p>But I know that all of the kids I've spoken with from the admit site whose parents are attending are not too pleased about it.</p>
<p>vrsinc, </p>
<p>My D has decided to not hit the accept button until she attends Bulldog Days, but she is "95%" sure. She has pulled her applications from all schools that she knows she will not attend and has left a few RD apps in. But she has told us that unless Bulldog Days is a "horrible" experience, she will be a Yalie in the fall. We have been very impressed with the "attention" they have given her (Yale apparently does this for all admits). Personal notes, personal emails and personal phone calls. Combined with a free T shirtsand Yale banner. The admited students website has also been a real hit. I did not expect any of this, so I am pretty blown away by Yale thus far....</p>
<p>We are in Wisconsin. Where are you?</p>
<p>We have family in Hartford that I will visit in April when we go to Bulldog Days as an added bonus. Just for your info, it does look like BDD is really directed at the students and that they have parent activities just because some of us tag along, so you not attending probably is the more appropriate action. That said, the agenda does include exciting options such as "Meet the Deans: Panel for Parents", "What's Next: Info for Parents" and "Concert and Reception for Parents" on the first night. Maybe I was overstepping when I said we could go to classes...maybe I imagined it (wishful thinking? Don't we all in some way want to go back to college?) Maybe a parent who attended BDD in the past could give me the low down.</p>
<p>Booklady, You are what we need! A current parent. Thanks for the heads up on the Marriott and I think we will make Pepe's our first stop. Love pizza! Hear that New Haven pizza is really great.</p>
<p>eating food,</p>
<p>If I leave my daughter totally alone and just hang out with the other parents who have similarly embarrassed their children by attending do you think she will forgive me for coming? Be honest, should I not come?</p>
<p>You sound like a sweet person...are you disappointed your folks are not going to attend...or are you secretly thrilled?</p>
<p>^ hahaha BluHouseMom:</p>
<p>I think it would be fine if you just came to hang out with the other parents. I am a little upset that my parents aren't coming because it means I'll have to make the trip alone. Plus, my dad is an alum and I kind of wanted to share that experience with him. </p>
<p>However, at the same time, it is kind of exciting that they won't be there! Maybe it's better that I'll be experiencing Yale completely on my own.</p>
<p>I went with my D two years ago, we only stayed for an overnight because she was attending admitted student days for other schools as well. I took tours of the campus and the Rare Books Library, attended a session for parents and sat in on a great class (one that is very popular with the student as the instructor was very entertaining). We went on our own to the Art Museum but didn't have time for the British Art Museum or Peabody. </p>
<p>There's no problem at all with parents coming, there's plenty to do and you won't be alone. Just give you kid some space and it'll be fine.</p>
<p>My husband is going to BDD but I am not. He hasn't had a chance to see the campus and since he is a "seeing is believing" kind of guy, it's important that he experience the full impact of Yale. My daughter is completely sold and has been since the minute she walked on campus this past summer but her dad is proving harder to convince. I'm not sure she is crazy about the idea of him tagging along, but since he is the one writing the checks, it will be good for him to see (and hopefully feel good about) what he's paying for.</p>
<p>Entomom, Thanks for the reassurance. I am looking forward to it and she assured me that she does not mind that I am coming. </p>
<p>LulaC, Your husband is in for a treat. Yale is majestic and very impressive. I visited when I was in college in probably 1983 and I found New Haven to be scary and dirty. I was so impressed when we visited Yale with our daughter at how much New Haven has changed. </p>
<p>My husband is not going. He is staying home with our 14 year old and to earn some money to pay tuition!</p>
<p>Eating food, I PMed you.</p>
<p>Any advice on computers? Our plan is to buy a Mac laptop for a HS graduation gift. Do they need a printer? Should we buy in New Haven for better service? Any insight?</p>
<p>When D was a freshman (she's now a junior) you could buy laptops at a slight discount through an arrangement with Yale. That information came sometime during the summer, IIRC. And yes, a printer is a good idea. We got D the 4-year warranty on her laptop, and it's been serviced a number of times, completely free of charge, through Yale's own computer techs.</p>
<p>Aha - here's a page that explains it all: Buying</a> Computer Hardware and Software</p>
<p>Booklady,
Perfect! Thank you!</p>
<p>Booklady,
I had never noticed the Class of 2013 tab on the Yale website. Thanks for pointing it out. Maybe other pre-frosh parents missed it too!</p>
<p>You're welcome. :) </p>
<p>One thing you'll get information on this summer is the pre-orientation programs. Our D, who is by no means an outdoor/athletic person, did one of the FOOT programs, where you hike and camp out. There are 4 and 6-day programs, with various levels of difficulty - she did the easiest one, made some great friends, and had an absolutely wonderful time. I would highly recommend it: Yale</a> Freshmen Outdoor Orientation Trips</p>
<p>Agree about the printer. Each residential college has common use printers, but my D finds it very convenient to have her own in her room. There are some relatively inexpensive B&W laser printers that are great. She also got an Apple MacBook Pro with the educational discount and really likes it.</p>
<p>Booklady, she will definitely do FOOT. Sounds great! Thanks for recommending. How does this work logistically for parents? We will be driving from the Midwest. Should we fly her out for FOOT and then meet her with her stuff? Or do we bring her personal things when we drop her off for FOOT and do not need to attend the beginning of Freshman Orientation.</p>
<p>entomom, we will add a printer to the graduation "wishlist" sounds like the common shared printers might prove a hassle. Thanks!</p>