I think most small and mid-size schools offer some opportunities for a pre-orientation trip-lots of them are very cool. It may be less common with really big schools, but I’m not sure.
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Brown has a week long backcountry backpacking program for rising sophomores to help students expand their social horizon after freshman year. But you have to apply— there isn’t enough room for everyone.
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The WVU one is $95. I’m curious about any achooos that have one that’s not thousands.
I’d imagine some don’t charge - Hamilton, for example, doesn’t even have a place for cost (so I’ll assume it’s included in tuition).
They say: All incoming first-year students arrive at Hamilton to participate in one of the orientation trip programs.
That said, tuition is $68,280 - so they’re charging…it’s just how it’s packaged.
$95 at WVU seems a great value.
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Yes it’s included in tuition! They also rent out gear to students who don’t have the means to/don’t want to purchase new gear.
James Madison University has both summer and pre-semester options. The cost is $325 all inclusive, and they have scholarships available.
Washington and Lee University’s programs are free.
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$66,800 doesn’t sound free to me - for those paying.
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As you know many are on financial aid. (And, other schools with similar price tags do charge for their orientation programs).
A small example of a way students at high endowment per student schools benefit from their school’s wealth.
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While Duke didn’t offer a trip we thought their approach interesting and appealing….
I’m simply noting nothing is free - it’s like when the Fairfield Marriott says you get free breakfast. No - you don’t. You paid for the room.
I’m not denigrating W&L, Hamilton or any other school - I’m just saying it’s baked into the price as everyone attends vs. others that are optional - that’s all.
That W&L has a large endowment and giving program (better than most) is nice and appreciated no doubt - but for those many still paying - it’s not free.
It’s just semantics - that’s all. Perhaps if they didn’t have orientation - the price would be $66,300 etc. is all I’m saying.
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Pomona College incorporates this as part of orientation. Off-campus or on-campus group adventure options for incoming students
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One poster said they met their husband on a trip. I’ll offer the other side of the coin. I did one of these trips way back in the day, and our group “bonded” enough to say “Hey, how’s it going?” when we passed each other on campus. Everyone’s experience is different. Don’t make your expectations too high!
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Despite other’s comments about W&L (and many other high endowment schools), I can affirm cinnamon’s post and confirm the cost of orientation trips is not built into tuition.
Covering the financial cost of orientation trips (previously optional) was part of the financial goals of the institution. Those costs are now covered by an endowment, regardless of need.
Just clarifying.
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Thanks for clarifying the specific situation. My main point is - nothing is free. Even this website which we write on for free is not free - not to the owners of it.
Everything has a cost - so it has to be paid for. W&L is generous due to a nice endowment as are others. So this one isn’t impacted and perhaps there are others.
But in general for a college (business), it has operating expenses that need to be covered. So unless an endowment or donation is covering it, someone has to pay. Naturally that will be the consumers.
This was just back to OPs comment of which have for a nominal fee. I suppose they are all nominal vs the cost of college tuition.
But in the end, to your point with possible exceptions, of course it’s the consumer.
OP are you looking for similar programs and orientation opportunities or a theoretical discussion of what free means?
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Denison has a range of off-campus pre-orientation programs: Off-Campus Orientation Experiences | First-Year Experience It used to be an option, but it is my understanding that all first-year students participate under the current system (I won’t get into the “free” issue, but there is no separate charge). S19 did the canoeing program, and it was just as you say, a good opportunity to meet some future classmates and the professors who led the trip. Some of the friendships he made on that trip lasted throughout his four years at the school.
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I’ll clarify that my future husband and I became friends on the orientation trip, we didn’t start dating until my sophomore year. And you’re right, I think I made one other friend on the trip and that was it.
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Elon offers these types of trip. I think the cost is around $300.
Connecticut College offers a trip.