What did you like or not like about Days on the Lawn?

barboza · 04-11-2008, 01:41 AM

I thought it'd be interesting to see what admitted students liked and didn't like about Days on the Lawn.

db123 · 04-11-2008, 05:34 AM

The worst part of the day was the beginning. It seemed like more students showed up than the University was planning on and so, registration was extremely crowded as was the class sign up sheet; we got there at 8:30 and didn't get out of the lines until about 9:45. By that time, our desired class had passed and the speech by the dean had started. We were standing at the top of the Rotunda and couldn't hear a thing or see a thing. It almost sounded like he was speaking in German from where we were. These problems can easily be fixed since they are logistical problems and now that the University knows approx. how many people will be coming, they can deal with these issues. After that, the day went smoothly. The only other things that I had a problem with was seating space at the faculty panel and parents attending classes. Parents, if you read this, make sure you understand that classes are for students ONLY. In the DOTL packet, it said this. Check if you don't believe me. and don't go to classes and talk. If you want to talk, then leave; this isn't high school.

theprez · 04-11-2008, 02:02 PM

I agree that the registration was HELL. We had no idea where to go and there were just too many people. After that, there were no problems. The students were friendly and helpful (well, except for this one kind of annoying pushy girl) and I felt bad that some people weren't taking advantage of some of the cool opportunities (free lunch with students!). The only slightly annoying thing was that most people didn't realize the dorm tours went from 2 until 4 and that they didn't need to arrive exactly at two. That could be made clearer next time.

Oh, and our tour guide was so. hot.

shoebox10 · 04-11-2008, 02:37 PM

I'm glad you visiting students know not to talk

We had parents in one of my classes that would nootttt shut up, and then some visiting student finally told them to be quiet because even they couldn't hear. It was great. We all thank you for your respect!

FYI: this happened today, where a student wanted to sit in on a class but missed it/couldn't find it etc. She, by herself, approached my teacher and asked him if she could sit in, and he was very chill about it (no one really shows up to this class on Fridays anyways). So, look on the COD ahead of time, and if you're interested in a few classes, don't be scared to go and ask. There are a lot of "main buildings" where tons of classes are held, so for the most part, classes aren't hard to find. Also, if it's a smaller class, you could always email the teacher ahead of time and ask, it's really not a big deal. If they have a problem, they'll politely decline, but I'd be surprised if most aren't totally open for it unless there's a capacity max.

goyanks193 · 04-11-2008, 03:17 PM

Maybe a silly-sounding question, but I was gonna start packing some stuff for the DOTL Monday: What is everyone wearing for it? Shorts? Jeans? I was guessing I'd be good in cargo shorts and a nicer shirt, but I like to be sure, haha

08seniors08 · 04-11-2008, 03:35 PM

i dont know about you guys... but i was planning on wearing just jeans and t-shirt..

db123 · 04-11-2008, 05:48 PM

Quote:

(free lunch with students!).

omg haha! I went with 4 other friends and we went to go to lunch and we were like 9 bucks for lunch?? and then a friend of mine mentioned that if you ate with a lunch buddy, it was free. So we were like HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and a lunch buddy came up to us and was like how many you need? and we were like 5. It was similar to ordering food at a restaurant. But the lunch buddies were really nice and they gave us a lot of info on the school before heading to their classes.

theonenonlynat · 04-11-2008, 10:14 PM

Well I went on the first day April 7th. The beginning was a bit hectic, the only class I could register for wasn't untill 4:00pm. But this was expected, the lines were so long! I really enjoyed myself though, the students and faculty made me feel so welcome. Even fellow DOTL students were nice too, I met some really cool people. I had lunch with a buddy too, but she took me to The Corner so that was really nice too! I am really excited about going there...just sent in my deposit!

Arcticmom · 04-14-2008, 10:37 AM

Didn't like: Parking. The parking garage was full and we had to find another place to park, not being familiar with the area it was a difficult task!!
Liked: Cav Dog!

db123 · 04-15-2008, 08:59 AM

yeah about parking. make sure you get there early. if registration ends at 9 and you are planning to come around 8:45, that's a bad idea. By that time, the lines are gigantic and there's a good chance that all the spots will be taken. And who says you'll get there at 8:45? Plan for the worst. If DOTL registration begins at 7, then plan to get there at 7:30ish so, in case you get lost/need food, etc. you will have a cushion of time.

sevmom · 04-15-2008, 09:39 AM

There is an article today in the Cavalier Daily, the school newspaper , about Days on the Lawn. College Confidential is mentioned.

db123 · 04-15-2008, 09:46 PM

The link:

The Cavalier Daily

I was quoted but not with the intended effect. I know that Dean J was annoyed with the fact that many students and their families showed up without registering beforehand. I maintain that it wasn't the University's fault that registration was a huge debacle; the blame should be placed squarely on the students who chose to show up without registering. The University gave students MANY MANY chances to register through mail and online.

The best way I can put this in perspective is this. If I am planning a wedding and invite 500 guests and only 100 respond that they are coming while the other 400 choose not to say anything, I can only plan for those 100. If another 200 choose to show up, it's not my fault that there's no space for them. They didn't respond to an RSVP. Similarly, the blame should not be placed on the event planner (i.e. the University)

Students: Reigster ahead. Don't take your parents to classes. Get there early. Act like adults. For those of you who do this, thank you. For those of you who don't, grow up and feel bad that you annoyed the living daylights out of some people.

Miru · 04-15-2008, 09:48 PM

Didn't like: Differential Equations. In other words, don't take a class that's way beyond your level...it won't be any fun. I've taken Multivariable Calc, so I would have been fine if I'd visited at the beginning of the semester, but going in at the end was a dumb idea. I was completely lost.

Liked: Lunch buddies. Why didn't they mention this on the schedule? (Or did they, and I didn't see it?)

db123 · 04-15-2008, 09:50 PM

The lunch buddies thing was on the paper that you picked up at registration. I don't remember if lunch buddies was on the original DOTL invitation.

theprez · 04-16-2008, 04:28 PM

Oh, I was quoted, too. luls. However, I think the writer is far too cynical about DOTL. Before I went, I was 95% sure I was going to choose W&M over UVA. Now, I'm about 70% sure I'm choosing UVA -- all because I visited! I thought the entire thing, registration aside, had a nice amount of lack of structure. There were plenty of activities to choose from, but no pressure to do anything. I'm going to W&M's admitted day on Friday, and it doesn't sound nearly as exciting. Plus, I have to pay for lunch! >: (

BTW, I think one of the reasons registration was such a problem for the first DOTL was that the site was down for awhile.