To our new Rice Moms and Dads

Ottoline
Sun, 15 Aug 2010 13:33:10 +0000

Really enjoyed your post, MSmd!

Guessing that it’s a little harder for families who came from a long distance. We were still adjusting to the two hour time difference, our hotel beds weren’t quite like sleeping at home, the great distance weighed heavily on us.

The O-week staff was terrific – their warmth, wisdom, kindness – and those little goodies… I hear they train for a week before the kids arrive. It shows! And it’s a big deal on campus to be chosen as an advisor… Rice freshmen are in good hands!

Families Weekend, like you said, MSmd, was fantastic. I still remember our good bye – after meeting our son’s friends/acquaintances all over campus and his profs, touring Fondren and seeing the view from where he studied, touring the laundry room, sitting next to him in class … eating a Charlotte’s Web in Ruggles …

So after all the tense college decision-making in April – it was clear to see that he landed in the right place. Another thing I love about Rice is the way that the classes mix so easily. Before we said good bye, my son was chatting with two upperclassmen we’d met – they were making strong points about a theory, deeply engaged – my husband and I listened briefly, hugged our Owl, and turned back. All the effort poured into the admissions cycle was worth every second – that’s when my tears erupted for the first time, after we said goodbye. Relief.

It’s not only the wonderful O-Week staff who will be there for our freshmen – long after O-Week’s over, too – just ask your kids. Upperclassmen reach out and talk about classes, ideas, places to eat … it’s my son’s turn now.