Prohibitively expensive college reunion - Darthmouth, you dissapoint me!

[Anonymous]

Smith grad here--each class reunion committee determines its own reunion price which is based on the meals and entertainment and other items. If your class reunion committee selects fancy sit-down dinners, then the cost is higher than if a BBQ buffet was chosen. Is everyone getting a tote bag or an umbrella with the class year on it? Again what the organizers select will determine the cost.

OP--your issue isn't necessarily with Dartmouth, but with your classmates who are planning this.

[Anonymous]

We used to go to my dad's Ivy reunions and they were fabulous, absolutely fabulous, "done" events from start to finish. I went to a very ho-hum, second/third-tier school and the reunions suck.

[Anonymous]

I went to a state school and we don't even have reunions.

[Anonymous]

Another Dartmouth grad who was planning to go, and is now thinking hmmmm...
So very expensive!! Planners, are you out there? What were you thinking?!

[Anonymous]

What the hell are you getting for $475???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are all like that.

Nope -- not Stanford, for one.

[Anonymous]

Well its not Dartmouth that deserves your disappointment...its your classmates!!! The planning committee determines the events and prices. Both DH and I went to Notre Dame (so no not an Ivy but it does have a strong alumni community) and graduated a year apart. My reunion was a lot cheaper but the dinners were buffets and only one event had alcohol. DH's was much more expensive but they had more extensive entertainment and better food.

[Anonymous]

Dartmouth reunion is a bargain, as a major Princeton reunion (e.g. 20th or 25th) is about $1000 flying solo. That does cover 3 days of meals, live music, open bar, plus a class sports jacket, fleece, hats, reunion class photo, reunion photo album, etc.

[Anonymous]

Wow--the humblebrag is out of control on this thread. Waaah, I went to Dartmouth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Interesting.
Perhaps applicants should be made aware of the cost of alum reunions - it gives a nice picture of what they expect you to do with your education.

They are too busy making sure applicants know that admissions are need blind, that they will meet the full financial need of all admitted students, and that tuition is free for students whose family income is $100k or less.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dartmouth reunion is a bargain, as a major Princeton reunion (e.g. 20th or 25th) is about $1000 flying solo. That does cover 3 days of meals, live music, open bar, plus a class sports jacket, fleece, hats, reunion class photo, reunion photo album, etc.

Who wants all this shit? Who even wants the 3 days of meals? Don't you want to make your own plans with former classmates for several of these meals?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dartmouth reunion is a bargain, as a major Princeton reunion (e.g. 20th or 25th) is about $1000 flying solo. That does cover 3 days of meals, live music, open bar, plus a class sports jacket, fleece, hats, reunion class photo, reunion photo album, etc.

Is this really true? I'm a Princeton grad who hasn't reached 20, but my "expensive" reunion was about $300 for meals (I didn't eat most of them) and dorm accommodation. That still seemed expensive. I can't see spending $1000. Does it vary a lot?

[Anonymous]

What else would you expect from Dartmouth?

Epitome of douchiness.

[Anonymous]

Per child? interesting, what does that entail?

[Anonymous]

I think it goes up when you get to the older year reunions mainly because they offer fancier/more events.

There are no 10th year reunions this year, so you've got to be 20 years out or more?

My 10th was last year and I think it was around $250 per adult which included 2 dinners, 1 lunch, 3 bagel breakfasts, a craft beer event, and 2 evening events with wine and beer for food/drink. Kids under 5 were a nominal fee since they could only attend one of the dinners, the lunch and the breakfasts and weren't yet old enough for the drop off camp during the day. I can't recall what over 5s cost since my child is under 5.