Schools that do a great job with freshman year transitiob

[Anonymous]

Based on experience, which schools do a great, decent, or lousy job of helping freshmen transition into college - socially and academically?

I will start. I was unimpressed with Syracuse three years ago. The dorms had no sense of camaraderie and the advising was not great - kid was put into the wrong level of math class, for example.

Now that my next kid is starting the college search process, I am more focused on this aspect of college.

[Anonymous]

Personally, I think the most effective transitions are when kids and parents do a lot of research before school starts. Read about the academic requirements, have your student talk with upperclassmen about classes, clubs, orientation, etc. Also, these days, kids all connect on social media way before orientation. My freshman is at an Ivy and had a great start. But the school itself didn't facilitate. My kid invested a lot of time beforehand connecting with other oncoming freshman and upperclassmen, identifying clubs, courses, professors, and pre orientation programs - so my kid was ready to go. My kid knew when placement tests were offered (info on the websites) to ensure correct math and foreign languagr placement. The summer academic advising session was pretty general and not that helpful but we didn't rely on that. Colleges have a lot of resources but it's up to the kid to take the initiative. No handholding and you can't be passive. Same experience with our older kids at other schools.

[Anonymous]

James Madison does a superb job taking care of students and building a strong connection with parents/families. Probably the best in Virginia. Without taking responsibility off the students or excessive hand-holding, they do student services very well. Graduates are well-prepared for real world responsibilities, mature, experienced —-and it’s because of how effectively JMU shapes them from day 1.

[Anonymous]

GW is terrible at this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Personally, I think the most effective transitions are when kids and parents do a lot of research before school starts. Read about the academic requirements, have your student talk with upperclassmen about classes, clubs, orientation, etc. Also, these days, kids all connect on social media way before orientation. My freshman is at an Ivy and had a great start. But the school itself didn't facilitate. My kid invested a lot of time beforehand connecting with other oncoming freshman and upperclassmen, identifying clubs, courses, professors, and pre orientation programs - so my kid was ready to go. My kid knew when placement tests were offered (info on the websites) to ensure correct math and foreign languagr placement. The summer academic advising session was pretty general and not that helpful but we didn't rely on that. Colleges have a lot of resources but it's up to the kid to take the initiative. No handholding and you can't be passive. Same experience with our older kids at other schools.

My DC has had the same experience, but freshmen who aren’t self-starters, outgoing, or great with executive functioning may need more support from their university. Generally speaking, this generation is way more coddled than previous generations.

[Anonymous]

Rice has o week

[Anonymous]

I am going to say rice as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Based on experience, which schools do a great, decent, or lousy job of helping freshmen transition into college - socially and academically?

I will start. I was unimpressed with Syracuse three years ago. The dorms had no sense of camaraderie and the advising was not great - kid was put into the wrong level of math class, for example.

Now that my next kid is starting the college search process, I am more focused on this aspect of college.

Could you elaborate on what you think the schools should be doing? Where are some of the dividing lines between what the school should be doing and what incoming students should be doing?

[Anonymous]

Wheaton College (IL) - small orientation groups with leaders and fun activities within the small groups and the entire class, involved RAs, floor activities and brother/sister floors, dorms with themed parties.

[Anonymous]

Dartmouth--The first year trips orientation program made for an easy freshman social transition but academic advising was terrible--no direction at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Based on experience, which schools do a great, decent, or lousy job of helping freshmen transition into college - socially and academically?

I will start. I was unimpressed with Syracuse three years ago. The dorms had no sense of camaraderie and the advising was not great - kid was put into the wrong level of math class, for example.

Now that my next kid is starting the college search process, I am more focused on this aspect of college.

Could you elaborate on what you think the schools should be doing? Where are some of the dividing lines between what the school should be doing and what incoming students should be doing?

Socially - I think there should be fun activities in the dorms. Academically - meeting with advisors.

We toured Franklin and Marshall and they touted their first year living experiences where the freshmen were also in a fun class with people on their floor. At my school a million years ago, there was a two day outdoor retreat and a 2 day classroom kind of thing. Just all ways for people to get to know each other.

[Anonymous]

Pomona: has affinity groups that meet thru the first year around a common interest (restaurants) or other adventures. Helps create spaces for connections with folks around common interests.

Was very impressed.

[Anonymous]

Northwestern has a long new student week. Very good for socialization.

[Anonymous]

75% of this is the kid. Maybe more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am going to say rice as well.

Another vote for Rice