<p>Hi all
when do kids typically learn which residential college they are going to? I know I’ll be doing a lot of searching on CC about it then!!thanks</p>
<p>Also I had a dumb question about buying stuff for the common room in the dorm. My sister keeps informing me there are different qualities of futons! (who knew?) Where will I shop when he’s going through orientation?? I know when he went on his OV he slept on his host’s futon in the common room between the two rooms…</p>
<p>@oldladyandmom they find out 6/25 I believe. Also, there’s an IKEA & a store called Rubber Match that sells futons. It’s not too far from campus. I hope this helps. I can’t speak to the quality of either stores futons. The are also plenty of furniture stores on the Boston Post Road. Maybe you could have one delivered on move in day if you know of a company that sells higher quality futons? Is there such a thing? I can’t say that I know much about them tbh.</p>
<p>My daughter’s suite bought a futon one from another student (purchased a new cover) and got a “free couch” from another who didn’t want to move it. (I gave them a cover for that) Rubber Match has specials around that time, I bought a twin futon for a good price years ago, I also hear Walmart sells inexpensive ones around that time. You don’t really need high quality for what it is being used for. Most seem to last the few years they are there just fine.
My daughter had some of those folding round chairs that worked well when they needed extra seating. I purchased a standing fan for the common room (the first and last month can be very hot) Another student brought a standing lamp since they didn’t have overhead lighting.
You can get things over time and later,your second year on, you can get things from graduating students and store it for next year. </p>
<p>If I can offer a counter to Debruns daughter’ suite’s acquisition of a used “free” couch from other students – just be careful. New cover or not. Used campus couches, unless you know its provenance (like it was your older sisters who was very decent with it), have a definite ICK factor. The quantity and variety of fluids that got to it is better left unknown.</p>
<p>I’m embarrassed that at the beginning of our Senior year, we sold our couch (which we previously had gotten used from some upperclassmen) to some naive freshmen guys for about $20 or so. Actually, we had one of our female friends sell it – we knew a bunch of dudes selling it would decrease its perceived value. It should have been put into an incinerator. I wouldn’t be shocked if it’s still being traded downwards after 25 years… it was so embalmed…</p>
<p>oldladyandmom, usually when students find out who their suitemates are they start getting in touch and talking about what each can bring for the common room. We found our sons basically just coordinated who was going to order a refrigerator and if anyone was bringing a television or gaming system. 
But when we arrived on campus the parents also got together and went on trips to buy a rug, lamps, etc. We purchased an IKEA futon for our first son. It lasted for 2 years I believe–he left it for suitemates when he moved to a single. But it wasn’t all the best quality–their frames are not all that strong. I have heard stories how many of them break the first semester already. For younger son we drove out with a very nice futon purchased at a store in the Midwest called Shopko–solid medal frame, nice cushion. It held up wonderfully all four years. My son just sold it to a graduate student when he left campus–the night of Commencement we helped move it. So, I guess for furnishing the common room it varies from students bringing things from home (particularly if they live closer) to purchasing everything once you get there from IKEA, Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, Walmart, etc. And, there is always the purchasing of used items as mentioned above–bookshelves, lamps, and even futons (I can vouch that at least some are totally fine to purchase) :)</p>
<p>Can students bring portable AC for their rooms? At least for the couple hot months:)</p>
<p>No air…unless that changed. Fans depending on the room and shade vary in how useful they are, but it’s October before you know it. My daughter had air in “swing space and Morse” the last 2 years but you get through it. </p>
<p>I do agree with the “Ick” factor, re the couch. One student had an older sibling there but still…I know my daughter didn’t use it often, she has issues with things like that.
You can get nice lamps, tables, etc. though. Some students buy so much and then can’t take it, so it’s dumped or given away.</p>
<p>Parents, any reviews you could provide about Saybrook will be appreciated…</p>
<p>I’m not sure what sort of details you want to hear. My son, who is a rising senior, is in Saybrook and loves it. Freshman year, he was in a first floor quad in Vanderbilt Hall and wrote the below for his Sophomore year Financial Aid application
Sophomore year, he moved into the 12-pack at Saybrook with 11 other roommates in a duplex suite. It was a bit too much of a party suite for my tastes, but he had a great year nonetheless. Last year he was in five-person suite and again had a great experience. Next year, he’s in a 3-person suite. So, all in all, he’s had a wonderful time at Saybrook. He’s gone on many of the Saybrook trips – picnic’s, boating trips, apple picking, ski trip etc – and has made many friends for life. He even plans his winter and spring break trips with the kids he’s met there. </p>
<p>My daughter is moving in as a freshman this fall, I was Class of 82. Surprisingly, except for the renovations of the rooms, nothing much has changed since my time there (which is good). Definitely no air conditioners allowed. But its New England. It will not be scorching for long. My daughter just had a Skype conversation with her 5 suitemates. We live in Maryland, 5 hours away, but they are coming from Alaska, Michigan, Indiana, Greece and Australia. We are bringing the fridge, for the rest of the furnishings for the common room they agreed to shop for once they get to New Haven and actually see the room and its dimensions. She has one of the single bedrooms so she does not have to worry about coordinating that.</p>
<p>We always had hand me down furniture. Probably not too much worse than some hotel rooms (even the best have gotten terrible reviews as far as real cleaning). Obviously don’t buy anything with obvious stains, tears or smells but you can find good hand me down furniture. I got a red chair freshmen year that I kept through my senior year.</p>
<p>If any of you are driving through Stamford, there’s an antique consortium called Hidden Galleries off Rte 95. I was there last week and there were booths with unbelievable inexpensive furnishings and art…same prices as ikea but cool vintage furniture that they’d want to keep for their post-college apts. </p>
<p>Thanks @RenaissanceMom. We will have to check it out!</p>
<p>My son and his roommates find their furniture at the Salvation Army store a couple of blocks away from school: <a href=“Google Maps”>Google Maps;
<p>@gibby,</p>
<p>What types of furniture will they need exactly? Besides futons, lamps etc…</p>
<p>The common rooms are empty. D’s suitemates got a futon, a few butterfly chairs and a large coffee table. But it took a while for them to decide on this. They did not plan ahead of time or buy at move in.</p>
<p>Hi New Haven CTmom
this list was on the site for the college my son is assigned to. The list on the website set out information for freshmen moving in
•pencils
•notebooks
•fan (there is no AC)
•lights (there is no overhead lighting)
•bed sheets
•comforter
•mattress pad
•pillow
•clothing (most people bring too much)
•hangers
•laundry bin
•cleaning supplies
•coat hooks
•trash can
•towels
•shower shoes
•backpack
•raincoat/umbrella</p>
<p>Printers are NOT recommended, as there is a printer cluster conveniently located in Connecticut Hall, and having and maintaining a printer requires space and money.</p>
<p>He will be in Welch college for a year before he gets to go into actual college. Google your kid’s college and they’ll have more. Plus he has connected with his room-mates to be so we’ll be sorting this out with everyone - but bringing nothing - just buying all there (people have given me thanks to this site lots of places to shop thanks!). I hope this helps</p>
<p>D’s roommate had a printer and D shared the cost of ink. They both enjoyed the convenience, especially during this past winter. :)</p>
<p>Thank you, I knew about all those little things, I meant what types of furniture…dd has done several “away” summer programs & so we have had plenty of experience with that stuff…thank you just the same!</p>
<p>Hi I should have known that sorry- re the common room and the furniture what son is doing is they have all started the conversation for the common room. I have told him that we will be ensuring new Futons and stuff after T26E4’s warning (see above!) which I took to heart! We will have this sorted out by the time we get there. We are renting a vehicle to do all this. I may get my act together for some stuff to be delivered now that i know where he is going. I will need to get couches (which will be metal supported futons), lamps, TV, game consoles, side tables etc. Has your child connected with others yet? My son’s group are quite varied and interesting! That’s an understatement!!</p>