Dickinson will not offer a pre-orientation option this fall

dg5052 · 03-25-2008, 06:25 AM

For those of you (I can't be the only one) who like to make their travel plans far in advance, I learned yesterday that Dickinson will not be offering a pre-orientation option this fall--I don't know why.

This means that all new students will move in on the same day--August 21.

Donna G. · 04-07-2008, 09:48 AM

Does anyone have any info in reference to the above post? I know my d is a little disappointed that there will not be any "pre-move into campus" events. Can a veteran parent or student give an opinion on this? Does this work well?
Thanks.

dg5052 · 04-08-2008, 12:14 PM

Even though there is no longer an optional pre=orientation program, my understanding is that after the movein Thursday morning, there are 3 days of orientation activities for the students--so that once they are settled in their rooms and their parents have "left the building", they will have various activities for the purposes of meeting each other, getting familiar with the school and its various activities, etc. There will still be several days of bonding time and fun before classes begin.

Maybe someone whose child has gone through the orientation program could give us some more specifics on this.

ReneeV · 04-25-2008, 02:23 PM

My daughter is just finishing her first year, but I don't remember what she said about orientation. I'll ask her next time I talk to her. She's going to be one of the orientation leaders in August, so maybe I can get some inside info.

crawdaddy · 07-16-2008, 06:27 AM

Good that there is no "pre-orientation" program! Extra money paid out, for really not much value in return. Part of the freshman experience is everyone starting at the gate together, and I think the pre-orientation was more divisive than helpful to incoming freshman.
Move-in day is delightful [which pre-orientees missed out on] in that there are crews that unload the cars and deliver everything to the romm. There is an energy and excitement to this day that pulls the new student into the spirit of Dickinson. There is a reception in the late afternoon for parents and students, then President Durden says "Bye" to ALL of the parents, and we parents try to hold back tears until we are out of sight of our offspring.
According to my son, it is a fun 3 days, culminating with the walk through the arch, where they will hopefully wlak back through in 4 years at graduation.