Hi I know, I’m know I’m 3 years away… but what is Boola Bash?? does this all happen at commencement time? thanks!
Yes, at Commencement.
I have a few tips about Commencement. I think the Baccalaureate service, Class Day, and the actual commencement exercises are the events parents shouldn’t miss. The reception at the President’s House is good as well. The lunch in Commons is worth doing, as well as at least one meal in the residential college. Boola Bash is probably not essential (we didn’t go). Probably the most important thing–and the thing you should hurry to in order to get the best seat you can–is the commencement ceremony in the residential college. That’s where your kid will be called by name, and will be noted for awards (unless he or she wins one of the really big ones). This is also likely to be where a lot of your kids’ friends will be, and where you will want to take a lot of group pictures.
There are also various nice performances, like a concert by the Glee Club (you’ll hear my daughter at that one), and a twilight concert by the Concert Band on Old Campus.
Thanks, @Hunt, I appreciate the hints!
Congratulations to our kids in Saybrook! Freshman Olympic Champions:) They had so much fun
Agree 100%. The financial office for the Yale undergraduate is amazing! They will do everything to ensure that your child/family can afford an education from Yale!!
We are excited looking over the 40 pages of info for Bulldog Days! I can’t imagine how they manage so many visitors at once but it looks like so much fun. Any tips on what not to miss?? I’m trying to jot down all my questions so I can hopefully get them answered as we meet different people.
Appreciate if any experience you could share for the freshman move-in day(s) !
– Place to stay: is Straford a little bit far from Yale? Since we are not familiar with the area at all, not sure if we should stay in Milford, Shelton, or Straford area. Any particular area is more traffic challenging that we should avoid?
– How long parents are expected to stay? The official move-in day is Friday, and we just wonder if we need to stay until Sun morning and leave (so that we can do some last-min shopping on Sat), or Sat is most appropriate. We don’t want to embarrass our child for staying too long, but on the other hand, we don’t want to leave too early and make this child appeared to be ‘not-loved.’
Last year for freshman dropoff we stayed in Milford, near the mall and several big-box stores. After Friday’s orientation, we picked up some needed items in Milford, went to more orientation activities on Saturday morning, and left Yale on Saturday afternoon. It worked well for us.
I would suggest leaving on Saturday afternoon as well. The freshman bonding is the main event after that.
I well remember the first time we dropped DS off at an overnight camp, where he was going to spend 3 or 4 weeks and didn’t know anyone. We moved him in, and were lurking around, until at one point he looked up from his cards which he was playing with bunk mates, and gave us a look that said, “what, are you guys still here?”
We knew better getting him moved in at Yale 
Surprised no one has mentioned Hamden. There are two motels on Whitney Ave. Clarion Inn is right off the Wilbur Cross and Super 8 is a bit farther north. Getting to Yale is a straight shot down Whitney Ave. No highways or comgested Q Bridge to worry about.
Move in is a great time for freshmen because it is definitely a party atmosphere with all the upper classmen moving them in - check Youtube for move in videos. There are some activities for parents, including the security session by the Yale Chief of Police. Parents are officially done Saturday afternoon and activities after that are geared toward freshman bonding. We went back to our hotel and stuck around till Sunday morning because we did not want to start the drive home tired. On Sunday morning, I met my D for a quick cup of coffee at Starbucks, walked her back to campus, hugged her and left (then lost it when I got to the car).
Move in day for Yale is so different than other places. You will have a blast, especially since you do not have to schlepp anything upstairs!!!
We are in driving distance and had siblings along so we just drove home Friday night and watched the Freshman convocation streaming live online from the comfort of our air conditioned home on Saturday. We did ask the roommate’s family to adopt D for lunch on Saturday. We had adopted roommate for some Friday afternoon events. Her parents were shopping for supplies since they had flown in. They got stuck in quite a bit of traffic and were gone for a while. Do what feels right for your family.
Is it a good idea to bring along a 13 yr old to move-in? I was thinking it would be a “big” moment to see off her big brother, but maybe it is just boring for them? Better to bring her to Parents Weekend? She may only be able to attend one or the other anyway due to her own activity schedule. Thanks.
Last year when we moved our son we were staying at the Crown Plaza in White Plains, NY just because we have family there. We got to Yale before noon and the upperclassmen took everything to the 5th floor!!! Thank goodness for that. Had lunch, did more shopping, set up his room nicely (the mom in me) and bought souvenirs at the barnes n noble store. After that his suite mates were calling for calling for him to go with them and that was the “ok, you need to go now”! lol. We came back Saturday for the Freshman convocation, did final shopping and had lunch in his college dining hall. There were hugs and tears after that. Can’t believe that in 3 weeks he’s done with the first year already
We had a 12 year old along and he was quite bored. Mostly hung in her room, while Dad and older brother did a tour. D went for computer support. He connected to the WIFI so had games to play. He did not want to go, but she really wanted him there. We took her out to dinner, and we all enjoyed that the whole family was together. I think it was nice for him to see where she would be living.
Family weekends, he gets a tad bored at her music performances. But we have done a family hike on Saturday afternoons, and meals together, so it is nice to have the family all together then. He did have to miss a few of his own activities last fall - was not happy about that. The first year, he enjoyed seeing all the stuff in the residential college basements. He also decided he would like to be a Morsel (not her college) - liked the architecture.
Again, do what works for your family.
So sad to just receive an email about Master Hudak of Saybrook in critical condition. Please keep prayers for him
Thank you for all the tips!
In addition to the move-in videos, I also have found the Convocation/Assembly from Youtube and they are great to watch.
@Hunt , You’ve been very helpful with graduation tips. I think you’re male, but could you provide some feedback as to the level of formality at the many events over graduation weekend? Would a dress be appropriate for a mother of the graduate for the baccalaureate ceremony, the class day exercises and the commencement exercises on Monday? Or anybody else out there who’s been through a graduation at Yale?