Props to BC - Orientation

[Anonymous]

You know who you should write to? The VP. Shout outs online are nice and all, but the people who fund these offices need to hear that the work is appreciated.

[Anonymous]

I mean, yeah, it sounds great, but no different than any other orientation. And please, don’t call your child “kiddo”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You know who you should write to? The VP. Shout outs online are nice and all, but the people who fund these offices need to hear that the work is appreciated.

This is true.

Equally true, though, that the BC administration can be deaf to parent concerns when it chooses to be. Leahy needs to go.

[Anonymous]

We went to Session 4 and agree - very well done. Not the OP, but they didn't mean choosing a dorm - those are assigned, but we were able to visit different dorms and see quads, triples, doubles to get a sense of the space and what would fit before going nuts at Target!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymosity wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just got back from BC's 3 day orientation and just wanted to give them a shout out for a job well done! We had 7 sessions to choose from - anytime from June thru July. You arrive Sun and it goes until Tues afternoon. There are separate parent and student programs. After the initial welcome, we didn't get to see our kiddo until Tuesday. Students get to stay in the dorms to get a taste of dorm life and were able to register for classes after meeting with an advisor and hearing recommendations from upperclassmen. The presentations were so informative and they answered every question we could possibly have. We got to hear from residential life, dining services, security, transportation, deans from all the schools, financial aid, account billing, student employment, health services, university counseling and the registrar. We had lunch/dinner with fellow parents and were able to compare notes. Great opportunity to meet other families and even met a few from the DMV. We also got to tour the dorms with res life reps so we could measure etc. before we started dorm shopping. Upperclassmen were also on hand to answer any questions we had. After orientation, DD felt much more comfortable and is excited to move-in later this month. As parents, we were thrilled to have the opportunity to hear from so many students, staff and administrators and walked away knowing BC was the right choice for our DD.

**Our eldest child's college only had one day of orientation, so I just wanted to point out how unique and helpful this program seemed to us.

That's great, but I don't think it's that unique these days, I get the sense that colleges are doing a lot more for their incoming freshmen students than they ever did back in the day (our day).

Yup—it’s not unique for private schools/smaller schools. My kids had 2 day orientations during the summer with programming for kids and parents separately and staying in the dorms.

University of Florida has 2 Day orientation for freshmen in middle of summer. Sounds similar- kids separate from parents, stay in dorm, etc. Freshman spend part of time registering for classes with advisor (after completing mandatory pre orientation prep work) Downside was with so many in staters that knew each other my OOS DC felt even more nervous about distance and not knowing anyone. But it all works out.

[Anonymous]

It's very much connected to cost. We visited Loyola Marymount on a tour and they couldn't say enough about what they did for their undergrads, in terms of career advice, internships, and everything in between. If you're paying $80k per year you can expect the kid glove approach.

[Anonymous]

Not to be contrary, but why not just do a couple of days of orientation, etc. as ‘new student week’ rather than require a separate trip in the summer? Of course info should arrive over the summer, but this seems like helicopter parent 101.

As a parent, I have zero interest in staying in a dorm. And do I really need days of programming?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not to be contrary, but why not just do a couple of days of orientation, etc. as ‘new student week’ rather than require a separate trip in the summer? Of course info should arrive over the summer, but this seems like helicopter parent 101.

As a parent, I have zero interest in staying in a dorm. And do I really need days of programming?

Lol you def meant to be contrary

[Anonymous]

As a parent, I wouldn't like that it was 3 days long. I don't have that much time to take off for an orientation. I'm thankful my son's orientation was a one day deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not to be contrary, but why not just do a couple of days of orientation, etc. as ‘new student week’ rather than require a separate trip in the summer? Of course info should arrive over the summer, but this seems like helicopter parent 101.

As a parent, I have zero interest in staying in a dorm. And do I really need days of programming?

Lol you def meant to be contrary

+1 Agreed. And I appreciate hearing the good news about the OP's experience with the BC orientation. I think BC gets trashed here a lot and the OP's post is appreciated. We have a son there. Rising Senior. He is loving every minute of it and we feel he is getting an outstanding education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not to be contrary, but why not just do a couple of days of orientation, etc. as ‘new student week’ rather than require a separate trip in the summer? Of course info should arrive over the summer, but this seems like helicopter parent 101.

As a parent, I have zero interest in staying in a dorm. And do I really need days of programming?

Lol you def meant to be contrary

+1 Agreed. And I appreciate hearing the good news about the OP's experience with the BC orientation. I think BC gets trashed here a lot and the OP's post is appreciated. We have a son there. Rising Senior. He is loving every minute of it and we feel he is getting an outstanding education.

I think it's a great school. I've not seen it get trashed here other than the overly zealous "it's CATHOLIC" posters, as if that makes one iota difference, which it doesn't.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a good orientation at BC. My son recently went to a similar (optional) program at Pitt. He really loved it and came away with a new group of friends he has been keeping in touch with. He is counting the days to go back. I think they have a more detailed program after move in during welcome week.

However, we did not feel the need to participate in parent programming. Maybe because this is our second kid going to college. Between common sense and what we can find out online, I just didn’t have any questions.

Interestingly, I have found Pitt to be more “hand holdy’ than my other kids T20 private school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is BC Bakersfield College?

no

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like a good orientation at BC. My son recently went to a similar (optional) program at Pitt. He really loved it and came away with a new group of friends he has been keeping in touch with. He is counting the days to go back. I think they have a more detailed program after move in during welcome week.

However, we did not feel the need to participate in parent programming. Maybe because this is our second kid going to college. Between common sense and what we can find out online, I just didn’t have any questions.

Interestingly, I have found Pitt to be more “hand holdy’ than my other kids T20 private school.

BC is more prestigious than Pitt.

[Anonymous]

Mr. Contrary just can’t stand it when someone is happy & something goes right. He’s one of those people who feels compelled to point out that lottery winners have to pay income tax on their winnings.