Lafayette Questions: Part II - Page 7

Basu · 08-10-2007, 02:04 AM

Would it be possible for me to move in during the weekend before orientation, or the friday before? Where can I get my keys from in that case?

lafayette1234 · 08-10-2007, 08:46 AM

hi justin,
i have a few quick questions.... do most people usually bring a phone/answering machine? It also says on the lafayette "what to bring" that we need curtains, do we really need them? Do most people get bed risers? Also, do you know if the rooms in south college are carpeted or not?
Thanks!
Meghan

candyman92486 · 08-10-2007, 09:16 AM

Basu,

Did you receive any information by mail about moving in early? Most international students arrive on campus before other first-year students and take part in a program set up by the International Students Association, which occurs before formal Orientation. The College even has transportation provided to ensure all international students have a ride from the airport to the College.

I am unsure as to the exact details of this program. You might consider contacting the CC user rytis, who went through the process last year.

- Justin

candyman92486 · 08-10-2007, 09:27 AM

Meghan,

So, are you getting excited about Orientation? There's only a few weeks left before you're a full-fledged college student!

Yes, definitely bring a phone to hook up in your room, even though you'll be using your cell phone more often than not. Each room has one phone jack and is assigned a specific phone number. It's best to purchase a phone with a built-in digital answering machine so that you don't have to bother with the telephone company's voice mail service.

No, you don't need curtains for your window(s). The College provides a pull-down shade on each window, which works just fine. I guess some people feel like decorating their windows, but there's really no need.

You don't need bed risers of any kind. The College provides all the pieces necessary to loft your bed, if you so desire. If you are referring to those bed risers for underbed storage, it's unnecessary since you can simply loft your bed up a few rungs.

Yes, as per Residence Life's hand-dandy online chart which summarizes building features (http://ww2.lafayette.edu/~reslife/re...halls_grid.php), South College has carpeting. I believe it's navy blue carpeting throughout the building.

- Justin

lafayette1234 · 08-10-2007, 07:17 PM

Justin,
Thanks! And yes, I am really looking forward to orientation and to finally coming to Lafayette! Only 13 days!
Meghan

fsa1 · 08-12-2007, 05:34 AM

how does the bookstore work. how do the guys know which books ill want depending on my courses

and is it advisable to order and reserve book beforehand or should i get on campus and buy any books then

candyman92486 · 08-12-2007, 01:03 PM

fsa1,

There is time set aside during Orientation for you to purchase the required texts for each of your four classes, so there's really no need to reserve them. The Bookstore always has enough books for those enrolled in a particular class.

You'll know exactly which books you'll need once you get to the Bookstore, as each book will be labeled on the shelves with a corresponding course title (ex. "ART 101-01" or "BIO 101-03").

- Justin

candyman92486 · 08-12-2007, 03:51 PM

Olasco,

As I've said before, Lafayette is extremely generous when it comes to allocating need-based aid to international students. With that said, be aware that admissions is not "need-blind" for international applicants. The admissions rate for international students in the most recent class, mainly due to the College's "need-aware" policy: about 10%.

Just ask CC user fsa1, an international student in the Class of 2011, for his thoughts on Lafayette's generosity. Personally, I know many international students who attend the College with grants covering the full cost of tuition, room & board, and other expenses.

- Justin

janesmom1 · 08-12-2007, 08:36 PM

Hi Justin-

Hope you are having a really nice summer. D is anticipating the day she will be arriving on campus. We are all very excited for her. She will be dorming in Kamine Hall. I was just wondering if you would know if the closets in the dorms there have doors on them or will she need to bring some sort of curtain to cover the space. I was getting ready to purchase bed risers but I see that the beds there can accomodate in height. Also wondering about securing the laptop to the desk. We ordered one of the computers on the Lafayette website but it does not come with a security cable. Do you think they are necessary? What does everyone do with their computers when not in use? How else can you keep them from being stolen?

Thanks a lot.

janesmom1 · 08-12-2007, 08:41 PM

Forgot something-

The room does not come with a phone? Also, do you know anything about the number of outlets in the rooms in Kamine? We will bring a surge protector but does it have to have a long extension cord on it?

candyman92486 · 08-12-2007, 09:38 PM

janesmom1,

My summer is going quite well, but where did the time go? Geez, I feel like it was just yesterday I was packing up my belongings to go back home. You know what they say...time flies when you're having fun!

Kamine's a great building for those first-years looking to mingle with other first-years. Even though it's a distance from the heart of campus, it still has that new building smell. In addition to A/C, the building also has a hot sandwich cafe on the first floor. Tell your daughter to go easy on the Flex (she'll soon figure out what that means).

The rooms in Kamine Hall do not have built-in closets, as in Ruef Hall, so a curtain would be unnecessary. In rooms that do not have built-in closets, wooden wardrobes are provided with space to store clothing. FYI, a set of drawers is also provided for each occupant for additional storage space.

Yes, the beds can be lofted to any desired height. As I told CC user lafayette1234, there's really no need to bring bed risers of any kind.

In my opinion, a security cable would prove unnecessary. I honestly do not know of a person who uses one, and it might become more of a pain than anything else for your daughter. Just be sure to tell her that, if no one's in the room, the door needs to be locked. So that one roommate doesn't lock the other out, both should carry their room keys at all times. If your daughter decides to work wirelessly elsewhere on campus, she should never leave her laptop unoccupied, either. It's like I always say: an ounce of common sense is worth its weight in gold.

I don't intend to leave you thinking that laptop theft is rampant at Lafayette. Fortunately, if your daughter were ever to leave her computer unattended, it would almost certainly remain there until she returns. I've been known to leave my room door wide open (note: bring a door stop!) while I'm out socializing down the hall, and my laptop has always been there waiting for me. What an example I'm setting, huh?

Even though some colleges have phones already installed in student rooms, that's not the case at Lafayette. Be sure to purchase a cheap corded phone (preferably with a digital answering machine) for those late night take-out orders. As I told lafayette1234, in all likelihood, your daughter will rely much more on her cell phone for day-to-day calling. However, college administrative offices still rely on room phones to contact students.

Although I can't provide an exact number of room outlets (it varies by building and by room), expect there to be at least one on each wall. Generally, there are never enough outlets for both occupants, so definitely plan on bringing a surge-protected strip for behind your daughter's desk (laptop, desk lamp, printer, phone, etc.). The surge protector will most likely not need to have a long cord, as most students opt to place their desks directly in front of an outlet. However, I suggest you arrive on move-in day with a bunch of extension cords of differing lengths for other electronics (TV, DVD player, floor lamps, etc.). If you end up not using them all, then so be it.

Have a safe trip to campus.

- Justin

janesmom1 · 08-14-2007, 04:57 PM

Justin-

Thanks for the advice and info.

SweetComedyGirl · 08-28-2007, 04:25 PM

I know Lafayette is a "division I" sports league, but I was wondering how competitive their girls tennis team was. I currently play for my hgh school team and was just wondering if college tennis was more difficult or requires a higher quality game-play and if you need to be recruited in order to join the team, or can you speak to the coach and see if he'll accept you once you've started college.

thank you!

candyman92486 · 08-28-2007, 09:27 PM

SweetComedyGirl,

The women's tennis team is quite competitive. I do not believe any of the current members walked onto the team, but I guess it's entirely possible. If you're interested in playing at the DI level, you really should go through the recruitment process. Meet the coach, speak with the players, and express your interest in the team.

There's a club tennis team for those students who may not want to deal with the intense DI practice and game schedules (2007-2008 schedule available here: http://goleopards.cstv.com/sports/w-...nis-sched.html). As you can see, there's a lot of traveling involved with being a member. Only consider joining the team if you think you can handle both your schoolwork and team commitments.

With that said, feel free to contact a current player to hear their experiences with the team. Why don't you consider emailing Jackie Bonder at bonderj@lafayette.edu? I'm sure she'd be more than happy to tell you all about the team, but please give her a few days to respond. Classes just began this week, and people tend to be overwhelmed with work!

- Justin

outofstate · 08-28-2007, 09:49 PM

Sweet Comedy - Your question seemed to refer to "college" tennis in general and it sounded to me that maybe you haven't spoken with your HS coach or your counselor about playing in college. If you are going to be a senior this year, you need to do that. You also need to register with the NCAA Clearinghouse.

Definitely follow Candyman's suggestion to contact a player to get more information about Lafayette's team and to determine if college tennis in general is for you. But make sure you are doing everything through your high school that you need to do to be considered for recruitment. (You can always change your mind.) And don't rely on your coach or your counselor to approach you on this or assume offers of admission and even money only come to the "stars" of the team. Not true. Good luck!