<p>Yaliesmom – Look back at my post in this thread (#2271) for the details of my son’s situation. He ended up withdrawing from the class, which is not what anyone would probably recommend if avoidable. He ended up with 3.5 credits so he doesn’t have much wiggle room this time, but I think he has a more manageable set of classes. The first term was a learning experience in more ways than one. He is optimistic and I think things will work out (knock wood).</p>
<p>Shopping too many courses can be overwhelming, but maybe she can hold onto at least one ‘extra’ for the next week until she has a better sense of what she wants?</p>
<p>Also, to clarify on my original response to Yaliesmom: When I mentioned the “couple of courses” my son dropped, I was referring to courses he was shopping this term. There were two that he thought sounded like strong possibilities but turned out not to be at all what he expected. He had not formally registered for them, obviously, as it was still shopping period.</p>
<p>The course from last term was a “W” – withdrawal.</p>
<p>Thank you so much Bookmobile, for your clarification and excellent suggestion! I read your previous threads and now understand what happened with your son. It seems like he made the right choice to cut his losses. My DD took an L5 course this year in the same foreign language she studied in high school and it was really tough. But, the good news is, she is done with the FL requirement!</p>
<p>My observation about shopping period is that it works OK as long as you’re only shopping a couple of courses (i.e., which of these two history courses would I like to take?).</p>
<p>Our son too has expressed frustration with shopping period saying he both loves it and hates it at the same time. I think it’s an imperfect system, but I’m not sure anything better is out there. </p>
<p>As Hunt said, it’s one thing if you’re trying to decide between two history classes with a moderately good chance of getting into either of them. But trying to get into seminars can be very frustrating because of the small class sizes. S is a sophomore and has been rejected by numerous seminars (at this point 6 or 7 over the course of the 3 semesters he’s been trying). I’ll add however that he tends to overreach and has tried to get into seminars that are largely grad students, or high profile seminars with famous prof’s, so some of this is his own problem. I also think many seminars give preference to juniors and seniors for whom it might be their last chance to take some of these seminars. So some of us with freshmen and sophomores might see their luck improve as they become upperclassmen.</p>
<p>I like the ‘capped’ lecture format. 30 kids instead of 18, almost doubling your chance to get in. Bigger than a seminar, but at least it’s not an enormous lecture.</p>
<p>Also, if anyone’s kids make it to waitlist status, encourage them to stay with it. S did this last semester and was eventually admitted.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for all of the helpful hints! Regarding waitlist status – do students find out that they are chosen from the waitlist before or after schedules are due?</p>
<p>My son got into his class he was waitlisted for after the schedule submitting deadline, but it was not a problem. He just had to submit a petition to his RC dean and it all got approved.</p>
<p>RE Shopping period
K1 said this term has been more stressful than any of the previous sememsters, in part because an elective for the major was capped at 20 and PHD students got first dibs and then so on…so as a soph, it was a no go.</p>
<p>Taking a few things re the core required Hum/Soc …
Has fulfilled the FL though is taking a L4…K1 and another few students petitioned for a new section during a better time slot that worked with STEM classes and allowed for K1 to make all team requirements etc. Will only need to take 1 more WR next year.
and the rest will be all with the STEM major etc.</p>
<p>I guess I would say that it’s the distributional requirements that make the shopping period useful–you use it to find a QR or SC or WR that will fit in your schedule and that won’t kill you.</p>
<p>Has anyone noticed that the yale bulldog online store/campus customs shipping rates are exhorbant now…and they now are charging $5 for pick up at the store!!! What is THAT all about?</p>
<p>I wanted a new window decal because I bought a new car, and the shipping is ridiculous and for K1 to pick it up they will charge $5!! If I came into the store without prepaying they wouldn’t charge me that $5 fee.</p>
<p>Silly question…should I send my son’s tux to him for the Freshman Screw? He said its Black Tie optional…do most really dress up? He’s a little clueless sometimes until its too late…</p>
<p>Although a few kids may wear tuxes, it’s kind of overkill. Judging from the facebook pictures I saw posted last year from my son, most guys wear a suit and tie.</p>
<p>Re shopping period, my son was deciding between two advanced language courses his first semester and going to both classes did give him information to make a decision he couldn’t have gotten online. He also shopped one class and was able to assess it was too much work with his other courses. It can also be fun to freely sit in on some good lectures or classes just for fun. But, he also went to classes this semester he couldn’t get into. And overall, I do think it’s stressful because of needing to get books and staying on top of work.</p>
<p>Thanks gibby…appreciate it…my friends whose kids are at H said he would need the tux…but the fact that he doesn’t says something about the different culture of the Y & H and know my son made the right choice for him.</p>
<p>To be fair, while my son is at Yale, my daughter is at that other school – and they do have “formals” every year there that require tuxes. My son has his tux at school, but for the past two years, has yet to wear it.</p>
<p>My daughter said the freshman screw was 20s themed, and she and her roommates have been out looking for appropriate 20s style dresses. Gatsby seems to be a big theme this year - my son’s high school just had a Gatsby-themed dance. I guess it is because the new movie is coming out soon.</p>
<p>I apologize ahead of time if this isn’t the right place for this question. My daughter has received a likely letter and invitation the the YES-W weekend for prospective science and engineering students next month. Am I crazy to be letting her go alone? The program seems to be well-managed and the travel arrangements say she’ll be shuttled back and forth to the Hartford airport. I’m not worried about her traveling on her own - she is very level-headed and a seasoned traveler. Did any of your sons/daughters attend this weekend? Is it safe?</p>