Yes! DS is at Davis. He was really broken hearted about not getting into Berkeley. He was worried about Davis. He chose it over San Diego and Santa Barbara as it was stronger for his major/future interests, internships and very public transportation friendly. Everyone thought he was crazy not to choose Santa Barbara or just do a year in CC to transfer to Cal or UCLA.

1. Super inviting and friendly. Before he arrived, he received invitations to frats, invitations to apply to internships through his department and an invite from his department to take an experimental class. He chose not to rush because he isn’t into Greek stuff but went to the parties and had fun. He did sign up for the class and said it’s interesting, etc. Has made a bunch of friends in the dorm, gym, clubs and class.
2. Loves biking everywhere. Food is OK in the dining hall. His dorm has a full kitchen and he’s become the resident chef. There are lots of restaurants that are much cheaper than Bay Area restaurants close to campus. Davis is a college town.
3. Good mix of challenging but not soul crushing academics.
4. Lots of off campus housing options for sophomore year.
5. Proximity to SF, Berkeley, SJ by train or train/Bart is good. He thinks Davis is boring but can easily get a group together come down here for a night and go back. Yosemite is doable for a long weekend.

I do think in the first few weeks though he was really stressed with always being around people, not getting enough sleep, and spending so much mental energy on stuff like finding food, laundry, getting to places. I also think all kids have a little bit of I miss my friends, my home, do I belong here going on.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Pp here of a happy sophomore. DS is at a school where Greek life is big, but he thinks the whole process is stupid and so he’s never been interested. A lot of of his friends who have considered rushing either got fed up with it or just kind of put up with it and got through it just to experience Greek life.

That said, he still has lots of friends, goes to football games, play poker a lot, and works out a ton. Also plays a club sport.

I don’t think you have to have a Greek experience at a heavy Greek school, but you will have to get involved in other ways.

I also think freshman year is always the worst.

I went to UVA, and even though I looked back on my experience fondly enough now, it wasn’t really a great fit for me and I really struggled freshman year. It took until sophomore year until I met more good friends, and then by senior year, I had found a groove and I’m still close with a lot of those folks.

How does he do with the ladies on campus?

Just to let you know as someone with kids in a sorority, being in a frat isn't some flex that you think it is. A lot of girls don't want frat bros. Also, there is data that participation in Greek life as a whole is on the decline.

Yeah. What I'm hearing from my DD is that being a frat bro is more likely to be considered a red flag than not.

The data doesn't lie, and most schools publish it. Fraternity men have higher GPAs, higher graduation rates, higher starting salaries, and better dating opportunities than GDIs.

There's data on better dating opportunities for frat bros? Let's see it!

Anonymous wrote:Notice the trend: Most of the "yes" answers are coming from parents of kids in Greek life. I saw the same thing when my own kid came home for Christmas break as a freshman and reconvened with his high school buddies. The fraternity men were dishing story after story about college life and what a great time they were having. The GDIs were still reminiscing about high school and longing for the good old days.

Kid is at a school with no Greek life and thriving.

Anonymous wrote:Not really.

They are still really homesick, were pretty physically ill for two weeks, and feel like they are nonstop busy. They wish they had a "group" and are stressed by everyone already looking for off-campus housing for next year.

On the plus side, they are doing well in classes, have made some friends, and joined a few clubs.

1st year? This was my kid at this time last year, but it did get better. Hope for the same for yours.

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Anonymous wrote:Yes. Pomona. Kid might decide to stay in SoCal after graduating from college.

Are you also in CA?

No, on the east coast.

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Anonymous wrote:I’m a parent of a HS senior who recently talked with a few parents with college freshman trying to get a feel of how their kids liked college. Generally, the boys were all loving their new schools and the girls ranged form a little disappointed to hating it. Sounded like the girls might have gone in with too high expectations for college.

Do you know what those expectations were?

Social media warps their expectations.

Anonymous wrote:Academics, social, friendships, professors/teaching, studying, grading, working, free time? Etc.

Enjoying all of that!

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Pomona. Kid might decide to stay in SoCal after graduating from college.

Are you also in CA?

Yes. Pomona. Kid might decide to stay in SoCal after graduating from college.

I received a 10/10 review but my parent radar is up and it sounded like a 7 or 8/10 with a "don't worry about me" bonus.

Very confident she's happy, learning, exploring and making friends, but don't think she's fully bonded with a "bestie" yet and I think that's getting in her head.

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Anonymous wrote:Academics, social, friendships, professors/teaching, studying, grading, working, free time? Etc.

She loves it. DD is second year at UVA and has a new group of friends this year from her on-grounds job in addition to the friends she made last year from her dorm and her clubs. She has leadership roles in a few clubs and her sorority and it is a full and good year for her so far. Classes are more challenging than they were first year and she has one professor who is not her favorite, but managing that is a good life lesson for her. She is definitely at the right school for her and she's enjoying it.

I also have a daughter at UVA. Agree that there are lots of ways to get involved - Greek or not. My kid did pledge a sorority her first year but I think she’d be fine without it.
Housing kind of sucks for her this year. Definitely a couple of bad professors but that’s life.

Parent of 3rd year girl who skipped Greek life. She is very happy and has great friends so I think Greek or not, you can find your people. She actually goes to a lot of fraternity parties even though she is not Greek. They don’t care. I think they will always add girls to the door list.

What is this? Are frat parties invite only? That is so elitist.

Anonymous wrote:Academics, social, friendships, professors/teaching, studying, grading, working, free time? Etc.

My kid is sooooo happy. She's at a SLAC. Got lucky with roommates and very fortunate with her schedule/professors.

DC= darling/dear child
DC= Washington District of Columbia

Who thinks there aren't better places than DC? Which are those places?

Anonymous wrote:Yes they are (two kids in right now). Autonomy, studying what interests them instead of prescribed courses, dynamic campus, better vibes than the DC area. Other than visits I doubt they will ever move back, and I am glad for that.

May I ask where they are that is better than DC? Just curious. My DC is in college locally ( their choice) and I hope they escape for graduate school.