<p>Glad to find this thread. Was hoping someone could tell me what type of laundry detergent the dorm washers use (regular, concentrated, HE etc). Thanks much!</p>
<p>I asked the same question last year… nobody knew the answer. But the answer is HE. And anyway, you can’t go wrong with them, as they work in regular washers too. I recommend the Tide pods, since it saves having to cart a large container to the laundry.</p>
<p>Thanks CIEE83! I’ll add that to the checklist.</p>
<p>Yes, tide pods. But don’t pack them in a carry-on bag because they have liquid in them. (Last year my daughter traveled home at Thanksgiving with only a carry-on, but she needed more tide. Mistake!)</p>
<p>Hi CIEE83. Everybstudent gets basic care and so can those students use the infirmary? Thank you so much for the details.</p>
<p>Yes, the infirmary is part of basic care.</p>
<p>Thanks For the tip Tamara.
New question (as I first time college parent I still have a lot of them): where do students end up buying most of their text books? The B&N store near campus, Amazon, other? My son is an incoming Freshman looking at Statistics and Epidemiology if that helps. Appreciate all and any advice! Thanks.</p>
<p>In my experience both or as my daughter did last year, she got many out of the lending library. Amazon tends to be the cheapest, but B&N is the most convenient.</p>
<p>As far as books, Amazon is cheaper. However my daughter had issues with the Yale PO; the books got “hung up” somewhere in the labyrinth of the PO and arrived many days after they should have. I have since told her to spend the extra (relatively few) dollars by buying at B&N.</p>
<p>Amazon is where my son purchased most of his freshman year but Yale Station (Yale’s internal site) is where he bought most books after that, especially the science books which can get VERY expensive. :o</p>
<p>Cannot believe summer is almost over a a week from now K1 will be packing to head back. Where did the time go?</p>
<p>Dunno… It’s flying by. My younger D is applying to college this year, and I know it’s going to go by fast, too. I can’t imagine being an empty nester!</p>
<p>Thanks all for the book buying tips. Sounds like there are a few viable alternatives depending on preferences, appreciate the advice. As for the comments about Summer, I hear ya. Just wrapped up our last weekend here with our son who is headed for FOOT on the 17th and then it’s time to find some new hobbies!</p>
<p>Regarding textbooks - although we don’t know what Yale will be like, for our older son (CS '13, not Yale but private top 25 school) he found most of his books for free on various sharing/torrent sites. In the technical fields many books have been scanned and posted. Another option is Indian editions of US textbooks which are softcover and a fraction of the price of US editions although both published by the same companies - again, these are mostly STEM books.</p>
<p>He also found that not all the books on the book lists were actually used and its worth asking the Prof what will actually be required. In addition, sometimes only a chapter or two would be assigned so books could easily be shared/photocopied.</p>
<p>He never spent more than $100 dollars or so per semester although the sticker price would have been in the hundreds.</p>
<p>Our DD is very excited about attending Yale and moving into Morse. I however, am not excited about driving 800 miles and finding my way to, and around a new city.
In particular, I’m wondering about getting from Harrisburg PA to North Haven, where our hotel is. Google maps wants me to take I78 and hit I95 near Newark, then through the Bronx and up the coast. Considering we’ll be hitting the Bronx area about rush hour, I’m wondering if taking I81 out of Harrisburg (or 287 near Bridgewater) up to I84 might be better. Although it’s about 40 miles farther, would it be faster (or just less nerve wracking) since it avoids the Newark/NYC area? Thanks for any advice.</p>
<p>@retiredRobb, I’m in PA and I take 81 to 78 (through PA and NJ) to 287 North (Exit 29 in NJ) to the TappanZee Bridge to 95. I agree, no way I’m taking a chance on NYC traffic, even if it’s more direct. The traffic on 95 in CT can be considerable, too, so a GPS with alternate routes is handy to have.</p>
<p>Thanks scoutsmom. The interstate is such a spiderweb out there I didn’t see that (I’ve lived in San Antonio and Milwaukee, but only seen xways like that when visiting CA). Looks like hwy 15 would be a good non I95 option after the bridge - goes right to North Haven where we’ll be staying.</p>
<p>retiredRobb-- we live north of the Tappenzee, and every time we take 95 because the GPS says that’s the way to go, I curse myself for not taking 15 (the Merritt Parkway) instead. 95 is a bear most of the time. And you are VERY wise to try to avoid the GW bridge. I avoid it at all costs unless I absolutely have to use it.</p>
<p>Hey retiredRob - my son is moving into Morse as well. If you have a smartphone, I have found that Google Nav is great and it takes real-time traffic conditions into account when determining the fastest way to go. Just make sure you have your phone plugged into a charger since navigation drains the battery quickly.</p>
<p>Take 15 the Merritt Parkway! I come up from Maryland and I do go 95 George Washington Bridge to 87 N to Merritt Parkway on my way up. On my way back I do 287 to Tappenzee and Garden State to NJ Turnpike. It’s longer on the way home but getting onto the GW Bridge going South is always a nightmare. Merritt Parkway however is great, I would avoid 95 in Connecticut at all costs!</p>