<p>I would add Berryline/Pinkberry (but really Berryline) to the gift card list. If your child is into music, I’d get a Newbury Comics gift card. Pinnochio’s Pizza is a particular Harvard favorite. One of my son’s blockmates almost fainted at finding out on Housing Day that they were living in the house closest to “Noch’s”. All of Starsky’s suggestions are good.</p>
<p>A gift card to Border Cafe would be a good one. The food is moderately priced and my son really enjoys it as a change from burgers and pizza.</p>
<p>Great suggestions, everyone. Thank you so much. And son will be even more grateful than I.</p>
<p>Gibby, I too have a junior at Harvard and a sophomore at Yale. I pay twice as much at Yale than at Harvard…go figure! We did appeal to Yale the first year they matched Harvard.s but the second year they did not. I guess rhe first year was to get her to choose Yale rather than Harvard but after they had her well…</p>
<p>@EAO1227: Two years ago, I faxed Yale’s FA letter to Harvard and asked why Harvard’s parent contribution was HIGHER than Yale’s. Harvard reviewed our daughter’s FA and then lowered the parent contribution, but did match Yale’s parent contribution. You might want to try to the same thing in reverse, explaining to Yale that their aid was equal to Harvard’s during your child’s freshman year at Yale, but now it’s not. Who knows, it might work.</p>
<p>Thanks Gibby, We did do it for her sophomore year but Yale said no go. It strange that we could have the exact same situation (the two kids, same years same schools) and that Yale is better for you and Harvard is better for me. Of course who knows what financial stuff they look at that differs, will definatley ask again this year. Of course after son graduates next year we will more than likely be full freight for D’s senior year. I am thankful for anything so no real complaints just think its interesting that it is so different for every family! Hope your kids are doing well!</p>
<p>Well. I finally understand the financial Sid package. The fa office did a great job explaining. And I love how thri assign one fa advisor for the 4 years. Lastly. Yale and Harvard wad a difference of 8 dollars. But I was counting the term and summer which. Is Where I was confused. P.s. I will be asking lots of questions on this thread. My ds committed to Harvard yesterday. I’m so glad the decision had finally been made!</p>
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<p>Please forgive my typos. ( fat fingered)</p>
<p>Sent from my HTC One X using CC</p>
<p>Can a parent please confirm for me that there is no deposit needed for Harvard? My daughter sent her ‘SIR’ yesterday and there was no request for any deposit.
Thanks in advance</p>
<p>There is NO DEPOSIT needed to confirm your spot at Harvard. They trust you to be good to your word!</p>
<p>Okay, thanks Gibby. I was just making sure we are not missing anything since today is the last day.</p>
<p>Just a quick update on financial aid offers for future applicants!</p>
<p>Harvard is so generous it hurts. Their financial aid package was by far the best one I got. Much better than Yale’s, and much, much better than MIT. (They’re giving me almost double of what MIT was offering)</p>
<p>This will sound very premature, but I have a question about the Freshmen Parents’ Weekend, which is scheduled to be Friday and Saturday, November 1 and 2. Can anyone give me general information on what happens over the weekend, and the most important time to be there, if we can’t be there the whole time? I’m checking into airfares, as they are low right now. It will take most of a day to travel each way.</p>
<p>The best part of FPW is seeing how your kid is doing at Harvard. It’s one thing to talk on the phone, but actually seeing them with their friends and roommates is much more meaningful. If you haven’t been there before, it may help your visualization in future conversations.</p>
<p>In terms of what happens and when, there are usually lectures you can attend, campus tour walks, concerts and the Saturday Football game. We missed the football game, but did some of the other available activities. We met some of the parents of both roommates and friends and went out to dinner with a group on Saturday night. Most of the activity is Saturday, but the lectures will be Friday. If you can pick only one day, I would make it Saturday. Also, don’t forget that you child will have things, like homework, that they have to do too, so you will probably have some slack time. Have fun!</p>
<p>You are smart to book early. The Parents’ Weekend is great–it begins with a general introduction in Sanders Theatre (in the same building as Annenberg Dining Hall) by the Deans and President Faust,then you have choices of many activities: health center tour and information, Widener Library tour (see the Guttenburg Bible), art museum tour, athletic facilities tour, sit in on professors’ lectures (three or four choices), department presentations, etc. There is really too much to do in the two short days. </p>
<p>There is a coffee reception on the Friday morning (maps and schedules given) , and a parents’ social hour with a short Dean’s speech with wine and appetizers around 5-6pm. You will have a chance to eat lunch or dinner in Annenberg with your child (you must pay), but many families opt for the local restaurants. (Make reservations early.) There are concerts scheduled in the evenings, or you can explore Boston.</p>
<p>You will have plenty to do no matter which day(s) you choose to attend. As it is almost a once in a lifetime weekend (Junior Parents’ weekend is nice too) I’d suggest trying to arrive Thursday night, and leaving late Sat. afternoon. Have fun!</p>
<p>cross-posted with ^^^</p>
<p>To continue this conversation about FPW, I heard from the FDO that events start around noon on Friday. Our regular flight wouldn’t get us to campus until about 6. We’d fly in on Thursday night, but it’s Halloween, and we have younger kids who trick-or-treat. Are the Friday events worth taking a red-eye? </p>
<p>Thanks for the helpful info already posted.</p>
<p>Eastgrad. We are in the same position. We r flying early Friday and very late Sunday. It seems there r not any activities on Sunday. But I thought it would be a good day to connect with my son. </p>
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<p>I arrived at approx 4:00 pm Friday for FPW '12 and missed a couple of lectures I would have liked to attend. I also would have liked to sit in on a class but wasn’t able to do so. There were plenty of activities on Saturday though. I attended a “make the most out of Harvard” type lecture, football game (including pre-game picnic) and several activities. I then took my daughter, her roommate and one other freshman to dinner (saw many other parents doing the same). It was plenty. FPW coincided with midterms, so I did most things alone while my daughter studied.</p>
<p>As for planning, I would also recommend reserving hotel rooms now. I reserved early and was glad I did. Rates increased and availability decreased. Enjoy!</p>
<p>IMO one thing not to be missed at FPW is the a capella singing group show at Sanders Theater. Those kids sing wonderfully well.</p>
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<p>According to my son, Harvard’s definition of “mid-term” is anytime after the first week of school and before finals. He had one “mid-term” the week before finals started. I would second courer’s recommendation about the a capella groups. If you are looking for something to do on Sunday, you might check out the Memorial Church. You will not get to hear the late Reverend Gomes (a true joy to listen to), but his replacement is hopefully good.</p>