Admitted Student Days- hoopla or ho hum

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

plenty of handmaidens...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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!

This makes me sad that my son didn't attend DFAS. He had a conflict (which he could have gotten out of but didn't want to), and he'd already mentally committed to VT in the 6 weeks between getting his VT EA decision and W&M RD acceptance. I regret not "forcing" him to attend (or at least to revisit on another day), but I thought if I did, he'd go in with a bad attitude and not give it a chance. Part of me thinks he would have liked the people and campus and maybe chosen it (he claimed not to remember a lot from his campus visit the year prior). The other part of me suspects he'd have found it too small & too "liberal artsy" for a kid who doesn't love to write and is happy taking mostly STEM courses. Thanks for letting me air my grievances, lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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!

This makes me sad that my son didn't attend DFAS. He had a conflict (which he could have gotten out of but didn't want to), and he'd already mentally committed to VT in the 6 weeks between getting his VT EA decision and W&M RD acceptance. I regret not "forcing" him to attend (or at least to revisit on another day), but I thought if I did, he'd go in with a bad attitude and not give it a chance. Part of me thinks he would have liked the people and campus and maybe chosen it (he claimed not to remember a lot from his campus visit the year prior). The other part of me suspects he'd have found it too small & too "liberal artsy" for a kid who doesn't love to write and is happy taking mostly STEM courses. Thanks for letting me air my grievances, lol.

He might have been surprised, the majority of W&M students major in STEM fields. But I guess that doesn't get you out of the gen eds still.

[Anonymous]

From observing my kid's admitted student day experience last year, the most important part for my kid was meeting other students. Many kids connect via Instagram and group chats beforehand, and then get to meet in person. We intentionally stayed overnight at a local hotel so dc could make spontaneous meet-up plans with other kids. They ended up at a big group dinner and a frat party afterward. I also met some visiting parents and we did our own thing. We knew the school was a great academic fit so my kid was most focused on making sure it would be a good social fit. My kid didnt care about the speeches, performamces, or sessions on academic advising, etc. They just wanted to know they would have friends. Loving freshman year and still friendly with many kids they met at the admitted student day last spring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone been to Visitas?

Yes. It wasn’t as fun or comprehensive as Yale Bulldog Days, MIT CPW, Caltech DiscoTech or Stanford admitted Student Days because it was noticeably shorter. DC ended up choosing Harvard over the others but it wasn’t because Visitas sold them on Harvard. Visitas was a slight positive factor.

Visitas sealed the deal for my student but yes the talk of the weekend was that Bulldog Days was better.

[Anonymous]

My son narrowed to Davidson and Richmond. Both great days for admitted students esp Davidson. He chose UR.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Thank you! Very helpful.