@musicmerit and @IxnayBob, thanks - that’s great to know that your kids found BDD to be a good thing.
IxnayBob - I think it was a really easy decision for her . . . she had said all along that Yale was her first choice!
LOL, I guess nobody read my post. My son is going to Sydney, Australia on a 8-10 week internship
I wanted to know if any of your sons or daughters went there
@Saona63, I read your post, but I’m sure I’m not alone in not having a child who did a summer program in Sydney, Australia. Went there twice on business, but that’s no help.
@Ixnaybob Thank you but I don’t think you’re the only parent on this forum. BTW theres no need to underscore a NO to make a statement.
@saona63, I underlined the “not” to emphasize that it is not unusual that no parent with a Yale child who did a summer internship in Sydney would read your post in 7 weekday hours. I’m not sure that I understand your tone, but I think I’ll just head elsewhere.
@IxnaBob still don’t understand your message and if I was rude I apologize. I’m trying to find answers. Thank you
My child went to BDD after committing and flew across the country to do so. I did not go partly because I knew the campus and partly to give my child some extra freedom to not worry about hanging with me at all. Unless it is a financial hardship, I would strongly recommend going to BDD even if you don’t need it to make the matriculation decision since the program is filled with activities to enjoy with kids who will mostly be your future classmates.
@canoe2015 I read many posts about this in previous years, and most people seem to find Bulldog Days valuable, even if they’ve already decided to attend Yale. Also, plenty of parents come along—there are activities for them, too, though the consensus seems to be that you won’t see much, if anything, of your kid! My guess is that kids who live relatively close to New Haven (a train ride away, say) are more likely to go on their own, whereas those coming from far away (like the West Coast) might be more likely to have a parent accompanying them.
My son flew to BDD from St. Louis last year, and Yale was (and is) his dream school.
He went because it enabled him to spend three more days at the place that he loves.
We stayed home, and began our new life as empty-nesters!
@tperry1982,
FYI, and it might be too late, but I thought I’d pass this along.
When my kid was looking at study abroad, programs that occur during the school year/semester are cheaper on a net basis. You pay for tuition and housing for the abroad university, but don’t have to pay for housing and tuition for Yale, and since the Yale costs are higher, you basically are saving approx. 50% in tuition and room/board. If kid goes in the summer, it’s extra cost that is not offset by any savings. FWIW.
I can’t speak to a Sydney, Australia internship, but I thought it would be helpful to note that Yale recently changed its policy re. the summer work contribution. It used to be that if you were doing a Yale-approved (unpaid) summer internship, the summer work contribution requirement toward financial aid was waived. I just discovered that this is no longer the case.
Thanks everyone for the thoughts about Bulldog Days . . . sounds like it’s a great event even for kids who have already decided on Yale.
@canoe2015, one thing that was fun and informative for DS was to meet up with a kid who had attended his HS a year earlier. Iirc, he wound up sleeping on the floor in his room.
ETA: rather than being an imposition on the current student, I think most of them like to brag on their school.
It may not work, but…If she hasn’t already talked to the master and dean of her college, she should. Sometimes, the masters have ideas as to how to fund opportunities. There’s no harm in asking.
@IxnayBob - Thanks, that’s a good idea.
My daughter is looking forward to BDD. When she went to YES-W, she was told that if she plans to study abroad during a future summer while she is getting significant financial aid (the only way she will be able to attend), her student expected summer earnings contribution is no longer automatically waived. But she can apply for a review of her financial aid application, explain the special circumstances of not being able to earn while she is abroad, and the financial aid office will definitely work with us. No promises, but information like this is important as she is still deciding whether Yale is going to be best for her situation.
3puppies, the issue of the student contribution (particularly the summer one) is a pretty hot topic at Yale, as you will see if you ever go back and read some articles in the YDN. Here is one from last spring: http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2014/03/31/rosen-for-equal-summer-opportunities/
I can only speak for our family, but when my student had a research experience on campus after freshman year, the fellowship money he received was nowhere near enough to cover his living expenses AND the expected summer contribution. We ending up covering that cost; same thing the following summer. We decided it was a worthwhile investment, but not every family is able to make that sacrifice.
So I guess what I am saying is: A lessening of your daughter’s expected summer contribution may work out, but I wouldn’t count on it too heavily.
We are grateful for Yale’s financial aid, which is more generous than what he was offered elsewhere, but there is no question that the annual student contribution requirement can limit a student’s summer options.
Thanks @YoHoYoHo - she did look at options for taking a semester off, etc. However, she is of the opinion (and I agree as an alum) that she should not spend one of her precious 8 semesters at Yale somewhere else. I know that others do it and are very happy, I just don’t want her doing it. This program is school sponsored because 15 students are going along with 3 professors. The school is paying or quite a bit of it and I am sure she will find scholarships and grants for the rest. She is very resourceful. Sounds like a great opportunity and she’s such a good kid I am going to make it happen some way. Before she knows it she will have to be constrained by finances, reality, etc. I just want her to have one last hoorah before I pull her kicking and screaming into fiscally responsible adulthood.
About the summer work requirement - though she worked last summer, we basically still cover most of her needs, which in her case are few because she is extremely frugal. She literally just got paid yesterday for her first semester of work. She can go ages with $50 in the bank once books, etc are paid for. The students don’t pay their contribution to the school anyway, its supposed to be for expenses and it definitely does not reduce the parental contribution. @bookmobile - yes I do feel blessed that I can allow her to do this and I am counting down the days till 2018 and I can have my money for myself.
My daughter did a semester abroad and a summer program (financially covered) They did adjust her expected earnings in her case because she was unable to work for most of it and did orientation program that year also.
We paid less while she was away for the semester and her summer program was covered because of her financial aid. (only for 1 summer program though) She enjoyed them all, she is frugal and didn’t spend too much OOP.
Yay!! My D will be home Friday night!!!