Schools that do a great job with freshman year transitiob

[Anonymous]

Tufts was great. They had almost a week of orientation before classes started but (perhaps more importantly) a range of optional pre-orientation programs for 5 days prior to that. Something like 50% of incoming freshman participate in the "pre-o" programs, which range from outdoor/camping trips (the most popular) to on-campus programs focused on specific intersts/affinity groups. Great way to meet people in small groups.

[Anonymous]

With two kids in college, I'm going to say that all colleges try to offer services and activities for freshman. What any individual kid gets out of it is impossible to predict.

There comes a point when someone needs to learn to reach out to new people and try to make friends or try new activities. College is the best time to do this without handholding because it only gets harder after college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bowdoin does a great job. 30 different orientation trips ranging from hiking the AT to learning to build a boat or community service. Then another 3-4 days on campus with dorm bonding and campus activities.

Another vote for Bowdoin, child went in with a broken heart (break-up 2 days before O trip) and two weeks later had several groups of friends, started new activities and was loving classes and food (esp after O trip)

Bates does something similar to the above and offers support all year for freshman.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With two kids in college, I'm going to say that all colleges try to offer services and activities for freshman. What any individual kid gets out of it is impossible to predict.

There comes a point when someone needs to learn to reach out to new people and try to make friends or try new activities. College is the best time to do this without handholding because it only gets harder after college.

+100
I remember a similar thread last year and the parent was upset because "no one came to get her son from his room" to join in the orientation activities. I mean, come on. That's going to be a long four years if the kid can't even muster up the interest to join his peers without having to be dragged and cajoled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With two kids in college, I'm going to say that all colleges try to offer services and activities for freshman. What any individual kid gets out of it is impossible to predict.

There comes a point when someone needs to learn to reach out to new people and try to make friends or try new activities. College is the best time to do this without handholding because it only gets harder after college.

+100
I remember a similar thread last year and the parent was upset because "no one came to get her son from his room" to join in the orientation activities. I mean, come on. That's going to be a long four years if the kid can't even muster up the interest to join his peers without having to be dragged and cajoled.

I think this is a bit callous...a huge number of kids are suffering from anxiety and/or have a tough time transitioning to college. Colleges that are attuned to this and put some thought and resources into how they approach orientation are to be commended.

[Anonymous]

Emory did a phenomenal job. Not just the week before school started, but it continued throughout the semester. Lots of chances for social interaction and tons of support. A very supportive community.

The thing that struck me the most is that every weekend, there was an opportunity to take advantage of school purchased tickets to events. My DC went to Braves game, Falcons game, Aquarium, World of Coke, Zoo, etc. All tickets were "free" of cost (well, you could argue that tuition was paying ), transportation and meal vouchers were provided. A great way to meet other students and explore the city of Atlanta.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With two kids in college, I'm going to say that all colleges try to offer services and activities for freshman. What any individual kid gets out of it is impossible to predict.

There comes a point when someone needs to learn to reach out to new people and try to make friends or try new activities. College is the best time to do this without handholding because it only gets harder after college.

+100
I remember a similar thread last year and the parent was upset because "no one came to get her son from his room" to join in the orientation activities. I mean, come on. That's going to be a long four years if the kid can't even muster up the interest to join his peers without having to be dragged and cajoled.

I think this is a bit callous...a huge number of kids are suffering from anxiety and/or have a tough time transitioning to college. Colleges that are attuned to this and put some thought and resources into how they approach orientation are to be commended.

+1, there's a good way to do this and a bad way, makes a huge difference when done well