<p>Chances are high that a Yale freshman will make good friends in his own suite, and if not, with people in another suite in the same entryway. It’s unlikely that he’ll be too busy for this, even with one really difficult class. I would suggest that somebody planning to take a particularly difficult class first semester should plan to take only four credits (maybe four and a half). Don’t feel like you have to conquer Yale from day one. It’s really not like that.</p>
<p>Thank you @bookmobile and @Hunt: I think it’s some pre-freshman jitters, as he’s been looking forward to this particular class. He’s a sociable kid who doesn’t have difficulty making friends; I can’t imagine he would start now. </p>
<p>Two of his other classes are ones that were reviewed by past students as ones that “you’ve got to take before leaving Yale” (based in part on a recommendation from @gibby). They sound interesting, and his CS class will have a moderate amount of problem set work, but they don’t sound as though they will pile on the work with a shovel. He will total 4 credits. </p>
<p>Four credits is not going to be too bad. Note for others reading this: the half credit for a science lab can be the one that really eats up your time. If your kid is doing four and a half with a lab first semester, discourage them from going to five and a half.</p>
<p>If this question was already answered, my apologies. We are taking DS up for FOOT, and then returning a week later for move-in. Do you think we will have an opportunity to look at his suite (L-Dub) before FOOT? We are not sure about certain items (TV size??) that it would help to see the room. </p>
<p>@IxnayBob in my recollection, when we dropped our daughter off for FOOT her Residence College (TD) was all buttoned up. I imagine the same is true for Old Campus. In her college at least, the (non-working fireplaces) all have mantles which seem a good place for a small flat screen TV.</p>
<p>@IxnayBob, I emailed the school to ask if I could take a look at my son’s room in Vanderbilt (he’s Saybrook) and they told me no. There’s no way to see room before moving day:(</p>
<p>Thanks @saona63 and @donnaleighg , I thought that was probably the case; oh well.</p>
<p>Donna, is a “small” flat screen TV what my kids think of as small, or what I, whose first TV was B/W think of as small? I have been trying to use up my wife’s points an Amex for a while. I think they have good “prices” on 39-42" TVs.</p>
<p>I think my daughter’s is around the size you just mentioned. Maybe a bit smaller, like 36. I’ll have to ask her.</p>
<p>I’d not count on being able to put the tv on a fireplace mantle though, as you never know for sure if there is one and whether or not it is in a good location for tv viewing. Both times my sons’ rooms had tvs (neither of which we owned) they put them on some type of stand.</p>
<p>Any suggestions on bed risers? I’ve read some negative reviews on a few websites. Also, DD is insisting on a shoe rack. I’ve seen different types. Over the door, stand alone & under the bed. I’m sure space is at a premium in Farnam so I would like to purchase one that will fit and not be in the way.</p>
<p>Any experience with the bathrooms? How many share the facilities?</p>
<p>In Farnham there’s one bathroom per suite.</p>
<p>Looking at my son’s suite floor plan at Vanderbilt, the bathroom only has one toilet, one shower and two sinks for 8 guys</p>
<p>Small bathroom = Less to clean. Keep in mind that when living in a suite rather than on a hall, students are responsible for cleaning their bathroom.</p>
<p>My D is a class of 2016. Recently we received information for class ring from Balfour. Anyone have any ideas or input regarding buying a class ring ? Is this the only company that offers Yale class ring?</p>
<p>On T2E64’s recommendation my daughter contacted the master of her college (Trumbull) to ask if we (parents) would be able to access her room in Bingham on on move in day without her. (DD will be arriving later from FOOT.) The master responded that they will have students and grad affiliates helping people to move in and that they would help us access her room. Thanks everyone for all of the valuable information on this board. You are all very helpful to us newbies!</p>
<p>Does the growing power of Yale’s administration–according to anecdotes I’ve seen and some articles in the Yale Daily–trouble anyone?</p>
<p>I can’t claim to know what Yale was like in the 1970s, but the alumni who don’t praise ex-President Levin seem to lament the growth of a “top-down,” bureaucratic Yale. Less space and funding for extracurricular groups, less power for the residential college deans and masters, “equal” funding for each college, STEM recruitment at the expense of the Humanities, expansion of the studentry… </p>
<p>Of course, Yalies seem to be more upfront about their school’s problems than students of most other colleges I’ve looked at, because of the Daily’s frequent publication and comments on online articles, and most of the complainants claim to love Yale despite its problems. Am I concerned about trivialities?</p>
<p>Hi Everyone! Checking in after a long absence from the parents forum, so nice that the ‘regulars’ of this thread are still answering questions for all the newcomers! </p>
<p>I have a rising senior and the same question as Suzanne above, what’s with this Inaugural Ring Ceremony that’s happening parents weekend? Are any of you with '15ers going to this? We have avoided parents weekend since after freshman year and picked other, less crowded and less expensive weekends in the Fall to visit. Also, is this ‘special ring’ only available if you participate in the ring ceremony? For Yale alums, what do your rings look like? Are they different from this one that is being offered? </p>
<p>We’re going to get our son a class ring, but I just want to make sure it’s the right one. Any input on this is appreciated.</p>
<p>It doesn’t trouble me in the slightest. I wouldn’t want my son to attend the Yale of the 1980’s or early 1990’s prior to the university buying up all the surrounding commercial properties and “gentrifying” the neighborhood. Levin changed Yale for the better in a number of ways. Student’s may gripe that Levin took away the money for individual colleges to have “beer” brain breaks, but I think the majority of the facility, alumni and parents have been supportive of Levin’s changes.
<a href=“UP CLOSE | Building the ‘new’ New Haven - Yale Daily News”>http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2012/04/17/up-close-building-the-new-new-haven</a>
<a href=“The virtuoso manager | From The Editor | Yale Alumni Magazine”>The virtuoso manager | From The Editor | Yale Alumni Magazine;
<a href=“http://www.yalealumnimagazine.com/blog_posts/1465”>http://www.yalealumnimagazine.com/blog_posts/1465</a></p>
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<p>Yes. IMHO, Yale’s administration is doing a fabulous job compared to other college administrations. Please see post #21: <a href=“Yale vs. Brown?? - #16 by NewHavenCTmom - Yale University - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/yale-university/1636388-yale-vs-brown-p2.html</a></p>
<p>^^ The above post was in response to #3615 from @CeaselessPain.</p>
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<p>My son is also a rising senior and he has no interest in getting a ring, so we’re not doing any of it. FWIW: As we live in NYC it’s been easy to visit on off weekends, so we’ve also avoided parents’ weekends.</p>
<p>We are also relatively nearby, so we can have our pick of weekends. Is Parents Weekend something one should do once, do every chance one gets, or is another weekend just as good?</p>