<p>Hello, Yale students and parents. My daughter was admitted early December 2008 and attended Bulldog Days last April, but elected to take a gap year. Thus she’ll start to Yale this August and graduate with the class of 2014. She is inclined to skip Bulldog Days this year, since she went last year, but I think she wants to do one of the Orientation programs before move-in day. She’ll be in Trumbull, as my husband was in the 1970s, so she has the option to request that.</p>
<p>I would appreciate it greatly if anyone would let me know what is critical to do, or perhaps what you or your student would do differently, if he/she were starting Yale this fall.</p>
<p>My son took a gap year, too. He was admitted in December '07, but he’s a member of the Class of 2013. He did not attend BDD a second time, but did go on FOOT, which he loved. There are several orientation program options. </p>
<p>Handala92, Not sure I understand what you’re recommending, since I was under the impression that the only way a student can request an RC is if his or her parent lived in one: that one he/she can request. My D doesn’t want Morse or Stiles because she likes old architecture, so the only way to be assured of being in one of the old RCs is to request Trumbull. Unless the system has changed, she doesn’t have the option of requesting Davenport. Are you a Yale parent, or a Yale student?</p>
<p>^You’re right, it still works that way. I would also recommend an orientation program. My D1 was a transfer, so she attended one that was for sophs and transfers, they spent time getting to know New Haven better and helping on a community project. It was a great opportunity to get settled in before everything takes off in the fall.</p>
<p>as a freshman, it’s probably not a big deal if she skips Bulldog Days if she went last year (although if she wants to meet some future classmates she might like to go again - I met people at Bulldog Days who I still see around and say hi to). I would definitely suggest doing a pre-orientation program. I didn’t do one because of logistical problems, but people I know have met some of their closest friends that way. It’s a great opportunity to make friends who aren’t necessarily in your dorm and who you might not meet otherwise.</p>
<p>also, I don’t know where one of the previous posters got the idea that Trumbull is “ghetto.” It is most definitely not, haha. If your daughter picks Trumbull she’ll be living in Bingham on Old Campus. Bingham is home to Calhoun and Trumbull freshman - Calhoun on the lower levels and Trumbull on the upper ones. It’s quite nice.</p>
<p>As for critical things, if you have any specific questions feel free to ask me, but definitely do not forget rainboots. Get nice ones. It rains a LOT here!</p>
<p>My son is in JE (as I was), and I think it’s really cool to be in the same residential college as your parent. It gives you one more thing in common. So, in my opinion, picking Trumbull was the right thing to do–after the first couple of days, she will be able to explain in detail why Trumbull is the best.</p>
<p>My son did FOOT, and it was quite worthwhile. He did meet some people at Bulldog Days, and made contact with some student organizations, so that’s worth considering.</p>