<p>Right after the convocation, parents get to watch the new class assemble for their class photo. You can take photos at the same time, and it is quite awesome to watch this diverse group of young people assemble for the first time as a class at the convocation and then for the photo.</p>
<p>I echo gadad’s sentiments on the diversity at Harvard and also on his comments on Dean Knowles. His speech on “talking rot” was a classic and my husband and I still talk about it to this day.</p>
<p>The Harvard Band is fun to see too! And I do recommend the library tour to parents if they are giving it and you can fit it in. You will learn interesting facts about the Titanic and how it relates to Widener.</p>
<p>Don’t forget to stop at the Coop. There’s lots of holiday gifts to be found for grandmas and grandpas!</p>
<p>Thanks gadad and twinmom for the information on concocation. I sent an email to Freshman Dean’s Office. I was told that the convocation will end around 5:00. Hope this is helpful to other perspective parents in arranging their travel plans.</p>
<p>I think the NY Times and The Crimson are the two best-written papers in the country (though you’ll find the occasional adolescent interjection of a four-letter word in The Crimson for shock value that you don’t in the Times :-). The week leading up to the Harvard-Yale Game is a must-read as the papers on the respective campuses engage in a battle of erudite smack-talking that’s as entertaining as the game on the field.</p>
<p>Do students need to bring much beyond laptop, bedding, clothes, personal items? It sounds as if there isn’t much point in looking into bigger items such as refrigerators, microwaves, tv’s since the rooms may be small and many of the houses apparently have kitchens. My D attended a six-week seminar at a university last summer and I think we pretty much have what she needs from getting her ready for that. </p>
<p>We are thinking of flying vs. driving her to Harvard in September. That way my DH and I can make it back to work on Monday morning and DD2 won’t miss any school (she wants to help move her big sister in).</p>
<p>mammall, When we moved DD in last year, she only brought the items that you mention in your post. DD and her roomies made out very well without a refrigerator, microwave or a TV. In fact, I would suspect that there are not too many frosh who have time to watch TV - too much time spent studying and on ECs, and the dorm where my daughter spent her frosh year was not wired for cable TV. In so far as frosh dorms having kitchens, I can tell you that DD’s dorm had a “kitchen” in the basement - I recall seeing a microwave there. </p>
<p>We flew to Boston as, because of the distance, driving was out of the question. Between the four of us (DW, D2, and S3), we were able to comfortably put in our suitcases everything that she needed. And we brought way too much stuff that she did not use/wear during the year. BTW, while we were moving her in, we made a quick run to Costco in Waltham and brought what seemed to be a year’s worth of laundry detergent and assorted snacks. </p>
<p>Also, mammall, was your DD a TASPer? I ask because last year’s frosh class had at least 5.</p>
<p>Coureur, gadad, twinmom, and other experienced parents: When your D/S started their Sophomore year, did you go to help her/him move-in to their new house? I need to make travel arrangements if we are going to go and I would appreciate your thoughts on this.</p>
<p>^^^We went to the Cambridge(?) Target and bought a small fridge - it was inexpensive - an ironing board and iron, full-length mirror (the rooms did not have any mirrors in the rooms), and some office supplies.</p>
<p>Do you plan on renting a car for move-in? The cab fare from Logan was $40-45 last year.</p>
<p>The Target had piles of dorm supplies conveniently grouped and there were many helpful sales associates on hand. It was a good memory prompt for forgotten items.</p>
<p>Nope, she did that on her own. She had some stuff she stored over the summer plus her two suitcases of stuff she flew back and forth with. By end of frosh year your kid will be much more savvy about living in and moving in on campus than you’ll ever be. So IMO the only reason why a parent would need to be there for soph year move-in would be to get a visual of the House and room for their own peace of mind rather than any help the student will need. </p>
<p>We never saw her House until Junior Parents Weekend the following year.</p>
<p>Mammall - Excellent idea! I’d do everything possible to facilitate D2 helping with D1’s move-in. What a great way to help D2 deal with the separation and feel a part of her big sister’s new adventure!</p>
<p>^ Yes, it’s great when the siblings are close and supportive. I do worry that D2 is starting to expect to go to the big H, too - and that’s not anything to count on, as we all know. But I guess you can’t hold them back from aiming high. </p>
<p>As for clothing, we visited this past early April and Boston was very cold and wet. I noticed lots of women students wearing what looked like retro rubber rain boots. Students never seem to use umbrellas. Is there a jacket of choice? Boston seems to be the quintessential town for layering.</p>
<p>We did help our daughter move into her house at at the start of her freshman year. However, we are in driving distance (not local, but still close enough to drive) so it made sense for us to take her to school and lend a hand. Students are able to store stuff at their houses during the summer after freshman year, but she had not done so. We enjoyed meeting her suitemates (the ones we didn’t know) and seeing the house, but it is definitely not necessary if you are far away.</p>
<p>The retro rubber rain boots are very popular. Target is the best place to get them; I believe my daughter ordered hers online. The Yard tends to get extremely slushy. North Face Denali jackets are very popular for fall until it gets very cold. Long down jackets for females are also popular and warm. Remember warm gloves and a scarf, though that won’t be needed for some time.</p>
<p>As for cable, there is none in the rooms. So don’t bother with a TV; students watch DVDs on their computers for the most part.</p>
<p>A full length mirror is an excellent idea, but I’d suggest checking with roommates once they are assigned. One per suite is probably ample, and someone more local may be bringing one. Think about a good desk lamp as well. The lighting in dorms tends to be poor (not just at Harvard.)</p>
<p>And remember, lots of surge protectors with long cords … the dorms are old and there are not many outlets.</p>
<p>Many girls bring (or buy once there) a set of Sterlite drawers for extra stuff that they can’t fit into one dresser. The under the bed storage containers (available at Bed, Bath) also come in handy for a place to store towels, sheets, shoes, etc.</p>
<p>I need some advice on my D’s moving to college. We live in the west coast. I know that the move-in date is Sept. 6 for H, but how early students usually get there? It may depends on the family’s situation, but is there any urgent reason to be there early, or just arrive there a night before the 6th is ok? I am planning to book ariline tickets(D wants to go by herself, but it will be nice to have more hands to move.), arriving Boston 9/5, leaving 9/7. I post this question at a different thread, and still need good advices.</p>
<p>NWern, I’m going on the 5th and returning the 7th too. Some students are participating in pre-Orientation programs that take place ahead of time, but otherwise, they seem to show up on the morning of the 6th - H is ready as early as 7 a.m. There are a check-in for parents and refreshments for parents in Annenberg Hall that Saturday morning.</p>
<p>Northwestern: Do show up early and get in line early on move-in day. Students can’t choose a bed until all roommates arrive anyway.</p>
<p>Mammall: Glad to help. One more thing that I just thought of. The dorms do get hot. My daughter had a cozy down comforter but also brought a very light cotton blanket. She used that in the early fall and in the spring. Also, a lot of kids like bedrests (the ones with the arms) for reading in bed. A fan is a good idea too. Oh, and bed risers allow for more storage room under the bed.</p>
<p>Northwestern… The only reason I could see to come earlier would be to shop for things that are difficult to bring on a airplane. We are coming from overseas and are planning on shopping in US (dollar vs. Euro-no brainer) and also getting daughter a local cellphone, bank account etc. so we are going to come a few days earlier, If you are able to bring most of your stuff with you than you may not need to come earlier than a day ahead.</p>
<p>To others- Great advice on things to bring and not forget. Thank you!
Not to beat a dead horse but on the insurance issue, we have our own private insurance so I know I can waive the Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance as the additional coverage. But I am a bit confused on the first part. Can the kids use Health Services and then Health Services bill our insurance or do you have to pay the fee to use Harvard’s Health Services regardless of your coverage. I hate to pay for Health Care again when our coverage is so good but I also want my daughter to be able to use the easiest and most convieneint services available. I guess I will try to call them this afternoon. will let you know what I find.</p>
<p>mammall…you are so right that these little details make it all seem so real. Our family had the nicest weekend now that D has made her decision. Maybe we will all see each other in Target on September 5th! Thanks to everyone for posting such helpful information, particularly for those of us traveling from far away places.</p>