amkev

My S is a frosh this year and if I remember correctly the Freshman Assembly was held on Saturday morning last year and is something that new parents who will be on campus will want to consider attending. It is very "high college" so to speak with speeches by the Dean and President and a certain degree of formality and pageantry. Also, we attended some of the panel discussions over the weekend which we enjoyed.

It is most impressive how many upperclassmen are available to help unload cars and carry things to the new frosh's rooms. We were unloaded with everything in the room within 30 minutes if not less.

Congrats on being admitted to Yale. It is an amazing place and it seems as if everyone is quite happy there.

Clarimom

BlueHouseMom, basically you will find a bed, desk, chair, and closet--sometimes a dresser, but sometimes there are drawers inside an armoire-like closet instead. Every room is slightly different we have found. Sometimes you'll find curtains, sometimes not. It worked best for us to purchase most things right in New Haven once we figured out what was needed and what space there was. Common room sizes vary as well. Second year S had no storage space for clothes (very small single), so we purchased a bunch of bins to store things under his bed. This year he had no room for shoes--go figure--so I ran to IKEA for a wooden shoe rack which he has in the hallway. So, I guess it's always a 'play it by ear' each year.

bridgefun

NEW QUESTION: Have any of you seen the form to fill out for our new Yalies to get their ID card. On envelope A , there is a space to put your "Student ID" Does anyone know, should that be left blank? Also, there is a space to put your e-mail address. I am assuming they mean a non Yale e-mail address as our kids don't have their Yale e-mail address yet. Thanks

riverrunner

Here's another "thing I wish I'd known." The Yale Bookstore is a Barnes and Noble store. This means BN gift cards work there (hint for grad gifts?). Membership at BN costs $25, but that can made up pretty quickly in discounts on Yale stuff, not to mention books. If you already have a membership, make sure your kid has the barcode when they go to BDD in case they plan to bring back a new, blue wardrobe.

In the fall, D did end up buying some textbooks, new and used, from Amazon because they were cheaper there, but shipping can be a bit of a problem. D does do a lot of incidental shopping at the bookstore because it is the store closest to campus....

BlueHouseMom

Riverrunner, Thanks. I have had several relatives ask for gift ideas. Does the B and N at Yale literally have all the required texts? (It is a campus bookstore with a B & N name? Is that right?) That sounds like the perfect idea...thanks.

riverrunner

Yes, Yale Bookstore functions as the primary book store and stocks the books required by each professor. You can check their website for more information:

Welcome to The Yale*Bookstore

Sometimes I preshop the website before I visit to see what's new!

wjb

Just checking in. Congratulations, new Yale parents! My son was admitted last year, but chose to take a gap year to study abroad in an area of interest that's not part of the conventional university curriculum. So he'll be a member of the Class of 2013.

Yalemom2

Two things to know about the Barnes and Noble membership: 1. you must have the actual membership card, they won't/can't look it up using your phone number as they will at any other Barnes and Noble and 2. the discount doesn't apply to textbooks, according to my kids

Dandemom

Bluehousemom, you should plan on staying at least until Saturday afternoon. You won't want to miss the freshman assembly on Saturday morning. We left on Saturday evening but all the other parents in my daughters suite left on Sunday. Regarding furnishings in the room, there was an armoire, desk and bed - no dresser or shelving. There were curtains on the window. We got bins for under-the-bed storage - we needed bed risers so the bins would fit. D got a rug by her bed to keep her feet warm and loves it. Re: b&n, I concur with Yalemom2 - the discount does not apply to textbooks. D gets her books from Amazon and e-bay.

riverrunner

Yalemom2 and Dandemom, I agree, it has been sometimes easier and cheaper to order textbooks online. The BN card does work for other things at the bookstore, though, and might be especially useful for freshman and their families as they make their first pass through the Yalewear department.

In contrast to Dandemom, my daughter's freshman room has a dresser but no armoire or curtains. Their common room is where all four desks and chairs are, and there is still room for a good sized rug, a couch, a chair and a coffee table, as well as a small microwave stand holding the microwave, some microwavable food, and dishes. Hard to hang loose and just not know what the setup will be, which is why move-in weekend was busy for us as we tried to figure what was needed, and get those things purchased, moved in and put together, all with a smaller rental car.

Which leads me to another tip: you can rent a bigger van or truck at IKEA, but reserve ahead, if you think you might go this route.

50isthenew40

Just wanted to say thanks for all the great info in this thread! I decided it's time to actually register on this board and do more than just read posts. My daughter will be going to Bulldog Days next week, flying from CA by herself. She will also visit one other school and then make her final decision. I'm hoping she chooses Yale-it looks like a better match for her. I try not to say TOO much, cause I think she's going to reach the same conclusion, and then it can be all her own idea!

yalemom13

I just joined this thread and have a question about the Foot program...
If our student decides to do it... how does that impact the moving in process August 28th?

mangoho

^ this is from the FOOT website
Yale Freshmen Outdoor Orientation Trips

When will students arrive back on campus?

The trips are scheduled to return to Old Campus between noon and 2 pm on August 28.

When should parents arrive on campus? What can they do while they wait for their students to return?

We suggest parents to arrive an hour or two before noon. Parents can pick up their student’s room keys as early as 9 am and can help unload their student’s furniture, boxes, and other belongings. Also, be aware that move-in day is the worst traffic day of the year in New Haven!

How long do parents usually stay on campus to help their students move in?

Many parents stay for the weekend to help with room set-up, driving to Wal-mart, Ikea, etc. Some parents leave by Saturday evening while others stay through Sunday. But remember, as much as your student loves you and as much they will miss you, most students are excited to meet their new classmates and are generally busy with scheduled activities.

Booklady

Hi yalemom, and welcome to CC! If you're asking if the FOOT kids get to move in early, the answer is no. They spend the first night of FOOT on campus, but not in their dorm rooms, and then head off the next morning.

The way it worked for us is that we drove up the night before move-in day. The following morning D called us on her way back to campus, we met her at Phelps Gate with all her stuff, and proceeded to move her in (with the help of many wonderful upperclassmen.) It all works very smoothly, and it's a real treat to see each FOOT group do its special 'chant' before dispersing.

yalemom13

Thanks Booklady and mangoho.
This forum rocks!