Admitted Student Days- hoopla or ho hum

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Revisiting this thread as we plan our spring break trips for D26. She's applied to LACs but won't hear back until late March from most of them, and her spring break is early this year- so we'll have a short turnaround time to plan visits. Anyone attend admitted student days at any of the following: Hamilton, Vassar, Carleton, Smith, MHC? Are admitted student days that much more beneficial than just visiting and sitting in on a class or two, especially if you need to miss school to attend?

Carleton did a great job! We were glad we went.

Agreed! It rained, snowed and the sun shone all in one day, giving the kids a real taste of Minnesota! But they do a great job - from recommending a hotel in the cities, picking you up in the morning and getting everyone to campus together. Separate activities for parents and kids (classes and meals in dining hall for kids, info sessions for parents) so the kids meet one another. Also a great meet and greet with upperclassmen at the end. It totally won over my kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone been to admitted student days for Williams, Amherst, Swarthmore or Pomona? Do you recommend?

Did your kid get accepted to all of them?

2 years ago DC1 was accepted to Williams Amherst and Pomona (didn’t apply to Swarthmore) but didn’t attend any of those admitted student days. This year, DC2 applied to all 4. Wondering how they are in case DC2 is lucky to get accepted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Revisiting this thread as we plan our spring break trips for D26. She's applied to LACs but won't hear back until late March from most of them, and her spring break is early this year- so we'll have a short turnaround time to plan visits. Anyone attend admitted student days at any of the following: Hamilton, Vassar, Carleton, Smith, MHC? Are admitted student days that much more beneficial than just visiting and sitting in on a class or two, especially if you need to miss school to attend?

Carleton did a great job! We were glad we went.

Agreed! It rained, snowed and the sun shone all in one day, giving the kids a real taste of Minnesota! But they do a great job - from recommending a hotel in the cities, picking you up in the morning and getting everyone to campus together. Separate activities for parents and kids (classes and meals in dining hall for kids, info sessions for parents) so the kids meet one another. Also a great meet and greet with upperclassmen at the end. It totally won over my kid.

Carls help Carls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those that have attended the VT accepted student day did you also attend one of their open house days prior to that? The accepted student day agendas I have seen seem very similar to that of the open house we attended last spring. If you attended both did the accepted student day add anything to make it worth it?

I think they're pretty similar. My son couldn't make it to Hokie Focus due to the dates, so we went to the Open House instead a few weeks prior (I'd noticed that the programs were pretty similar) and we got all of his questions answered there. It was still pretty hyped, we just skipped out from the first session since that was admissions related. It would have been nice to be surrounded by potential peers and the celebration of having been admitted, but his older sister is a Hokie, so he already had a good sense of vibe, etc. and was fine with it.

I think if your student is already committed to going to VT, it won't add much. For someone still on the fence, it can be helpful to take another look.

[Anonymous]

We loved Hokie Focus. The energy was so different than the usual admission tour groups. Everyone seemed electrified at having been admitted and eager to meet new people. Just a great day all around, as well as very informative.

[Anonymous]

We went every time we were invited. Helper DC adjust and learn their way around. Got comfortable. Had a smooth transition- think it helped

[Anonymous]

In case this is useful to anyone— my daughter had set up coffee dates with some potential roommates from NOVA that she met on Instagram and once she found a good match, they attended the admitted student day at JMU on the same date. Parents got to meet, the girls did a few of the tours together (not the entire day but enough to get to chat, talk about dorm options together, etc.). It worked really well. So glad my daughter & her future roommate coordinated this together. It’s really as simple as choosing the same date to attend; the girls set this plan up on their own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Revisiting this thread as we plan our spring break trips for D26. She's applied to LACs but won't hear back until late March from most of them, and her spring break is early this year- so we'll have a short turnaround time to plan visits. Anyone attend admitted student days at any of the following: Hamilton, Vassar, Carleton, Smith, MHC? Are admitted student days that much more beneficial than just visiting and sitting in on a class or two, especially if you need to miss school to attend?

Carleton did a great job! We were glad we went.

Agreed! It rained, snowed and the sun shone all in one day, giving the kids a real taste of Minnesota! But they do a great job - from recommending a hotel in the cities, picking you up in the morning and getting everyone to campus together. Separate activities for parents and kids (classes and meals in dining hall for kids, info sessions for parents) so the kids meet one another. Also a great meet and greet with upperclassmen at the end. It totally won over my kid.

Thanks for this. DD is trying to figure out whether to attend the admitted student weekend for Carleton. She's an ED admit so no decision to be made, but she would love to start connecting with the school and future classmates. Any parents have advice on the value of these weekends for ED kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How are these events for quiet introverted kids? I'm not sure mine would feel confident enough at the moment to think of any questions and actually ask them of faculty, or mix with other kids and find a roommate!

Specifically thinking of Pitt, Fordham, and Loyola Maryland, if anyone has thoughts on these schools...

Possibly even more important for an introvert! It’s a chance to understand the vibe in person. (And no pressure to ask questions unless they come up organically. You as parent can do your own research while your kids feels out the campus and other admitted students.)

[Anonymous]

We plan to attend all or most, depending on what comes back RD in combination with EA acceptances in hand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In case this is useful to anyone— my daughter had set up coffee dates with some potential roommates from NOVA that she met on Instagram and once she found a good match, they attended the admitted student day at JMU on the same date. Parents got to meet, the girls did a few of the tours together (not the entire day but enough to get to chat, talk about dorm options together, etc.). It worked really well. So glad my daughter & her future roommate coordinated this together. It’s really as simple as choosing the same date to attend; the girls set this plan up on their own.

+1
That’s a great idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:W&M is always fun - massive event tbh

Go Tribe!
My DD had an amazing time at DFAS last year and is a happy member of the tribe this year!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would love to hear more about W&M's DFAS. Planning to attend this year with my daughter. Accepted ED, so not about making a decision, but have heard such great things and she is excited to go in April.

It’s just super hyped up and fun!
Lots of events to choose from and everyone was happy to be there. Tons of freebies and opportunity to get a photo of your daughter with her name on the W&M banner. Seems like every info session just further solidified and validated her ED decision. Have honesty never seen her happier than when she is walking in that beautiful campus in Williamsburg. They have a clubs fair and the current students are extremely welcoming! Then they end the day with a fun admitted students mixer on the football field and an event for parents at the top of the stadium.
My DD also ED’d and met her roommate at DFAS who ED’d too (they chatted on Instagram first then arranged to meet in person at DFAS). Now they are halfway through with first year and could not have been a better fit. She absolutely loves W&M!
Welcome to The Tribe!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Revisiting this thread as we plan our spring break trips for D26. She's applied to LACs but won't hear back until late March from most of them, and her spring break is early this year- so we'll have a short turnaround time to plan visits. Anyone attend admitted student days at any of the following: Hamilton, Vassar, Carleton, Smith, MHC? Are admitted student days that much more beneficial than just visiting and sitting in on a class or two, especially if you need to miss school to attend?

Carleton did a great job! We were glad we went.

Agreed! It rained, snowed and the sun shone all in one day, giving the kids a real taste of Minnesota! But they do a great job - from recommending a hotel in the cities, picking you up in the morning and getting everyone to campus together. Separate activities for parents and kids (classes and meals in dining hall for kids, info sessions for parents) so the kids meet one another. Also a great meet and greet with upperclassmen at the end. It totally won over my kid.

Thanks for this. DD is trying to figure out whether to attend the admitted student weekend for Carleton. She's an ED admit so no decision to be made, but she would love to start connecting with the school and future classmates. Any parents have advice on the value of these weekends for ED kids?

Congrats to your DD! For Carleton in particular, my D was RD admit, so I can't comment on how much difference it would make. But the academic fair is really nice (I think repeated again at move-in though). Every department sets up a table. My D met kids she kept in touch with over the summer, but has not really spoken to once getting to campus, so those weren't friendships that yours would miss out on (and they connect on instagram as well). Roommates are assigned, so not an important factor for that. However, they do roll out the carpet, hand out bags and stickers and discounts at the bookstore. It's not vital by any stretch - it's more whether you feel like another plane trip and hotel stay. Nice if you've got the time and money, 100% unnecessary if you don't want to spend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Notre Dame was incredible, didn’t end up there but will always have a soft spot. AO sent handwritten letter, email saying safe travels, met on arrival. Two days of quality programming, the school spirit was infectious with a wonderful program in arena followed by an evening party. Had people stationed at table in lobby at nearby hotels to answer questions, walked into a dining hall and woman insisted on personal tour, plus random people were just so nice students and faculty alike, stopping to chat or say hi.

My kid, after attending "The Rally", chose ND over an Ivy. We were surprised, as DC was not inclined that way beforehand. I will say DC's experience has been true the preview: DC says ND has all the resources (and more) of the T10 schools, but nicer people.