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Congratulation on your daughter's decision-George is right-she will have a wonderful four years if she takes advantage of all the school has to offer. I remember that you asked about Engaged Living awhile ago-did she decided to apply for that program? As their freshman years draws to a close, both of our kids are glad they chose to participate in that program. As I remember, some of the sections within Engaged Living had spaces availalbe in May-but not all.
As for future advice-here is a little bit of a "blend" from our kids and myself relative to choosing courses during your first year. Have your daughter familiarize herself with ratemyprofessor.com; our daughter's advisor shared this with her group of students during orientation and it has actually been a valuable tool in choosing good professors. The academic rigor of Furman is much more significant than many students realize or expect when they arrive on campus. ( I believe the higher acceptance rate has deluded parents/students in the past.) Remember the transition to college is filled with many great things, but is also challenging-time management, professor expectations, etc. The number of GER's required by the Furman curriculum can be taken over 4 years-and DO NOT have to be taken in one year ( I do not even think they realistically can be scheduled )- so remind your daughter to pace herself. She will spend plenty of time in the library, but as George says, football season will be there before you know it, and there are so many great things to do in the fall, so achieiving a study+social balance is really important.
One more thing on the academic perspective that caught our two off guard ( and is important if your child has a merit -based scholarship): Furman has a graduated GPA system, e.g. - and +'s, so a B comes in 3 sizes or flavors and can mean anythings from a 3.2 to a 2.8.
The week of orientation is really great-parents will be involved for about 1 and 1/2 days-attending workshops, meeting your daugnter's advisor, RA, etc. The actual movie-in is VERY well-coordinated-you literally drive-up next to the dorm and are met by a group of 2-3 upper classmen who will literally unload and move ALL of your daughter's things into her dorm room-regardless of the floor she is on! Just like a professional moving company. What a total surprise and delight. You can PM me if you'd like, and I can give you advice on the things we learned we needed for the dorms that have made life so much better.
The social part of orientation will be great for your DD-they have a Shoe Dance-each of the girls puts a shoe in a basket and boys on a floor in the same dorm draw a girls shoe-that match determines who your "date is for one of the evening eventrs during orientation week. There is also a "MyTiie" Dance-where you send a friend to ask a boy for his tie-the tie of a boy you want to take to fhe dance that is held at the President's house the last part of orienitation. Last year, I used those occasions to spend some time with both of our kids for some special shopping trips before we left for school.
The other thing our kids wanted me to mention is for your DD to be sure she attends 4 CLP's during Fall semester- 8 are required to become a sophomore. There are tons of wonderful speakers, exhibits, concerts every week at Furman that meet the CLP criteria so it is easy to meet the requirement if you keep it as a priority.
Welcome to a wonderful school with incredible faculty and students!
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