<p>One other thing to add to the mix on banking is credit cards. Parents, if your D is going to be traveling to or from Smith alone at some point, I’d strongly encourage you to look into options for a low-limit credit card. Nearly every time I travelled home for winter break there was some kind of weather catastrophe, more than once requiring a stopover in a hotel. Then there’s the oversize luggage fees you can incur carrying a life’s worth of stuff on planes. And then in general there may be bigger purchases thy are needed. Both the routine (boots, coats, suitcases, books) and the emergency (use you imagination) for which having some available credit is both useful and prudent.</p>