Anonymous wrote:Another freshman DS in engineering at UMd. Coming from an academically weaker high school, had a bit of a wake-up call initially but 2 months in has found his groove academically. Enjoys his engineering classes - all project based - quite a bit.
His residential honors college has been great - small cohort to pal around with and bc this honors college is 2 yrs, they will all live together again next year. Kid is rock climbing, playing squash, biking to classes, going into DC, eating tons of good food (loves the food). Really just having a blast socially and academically.
Strongly recommend doing one of the specialized honors colleges at UMd if an option.

Anonymous wrote: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:

Anonymous wrote:

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: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.