It’s not really necessary to dress up for class day–indeed, all the students (and speakers, and administrators) will be wearing funny hats. I think you should dress nicely for the baccalaureate, and you will probably want to be nicely dressed for commencement itself–since you will want to take lots of pictures at the residential college. But since things are outside, you don’t have to be ultra-dressy. If you are asking whether ladies could wear pants as opposed to a dress, I think that would be fine.
I remember move in day, and my tip is to bring someone else along, too. My daughter really wanted to go off with her friends for that first dinner in New Haven, but it was just the two of us and she didn’t want me to eat alone. If my husband had been there, I think she would have been fine leaving us to fend for ourselves.
While she has not pressed the yes button yet, she told me yesterday ,after being nagged , that it is going to be Yale 
So I am crossing fingers she accepts her spot soon! I will not be meeting any of you this fall as daughter will be spending her next academic year in Germany, but I am reading all the tips with great interest!
Oh, is there a deposit that has to be made?
@Kelowna - Yale does not have a deposit. Guess they feel they are going to get more from more than enough money from you through the next four years!!
@Kelowna - is your daughter doing CBYX by any chance?
I apologize if this is a repeat question…As graduation gets closer, I’m trying to figure out logistics. We are staying out of town, as we did not want to pay inflated New Haven hotel prices and did not need the three-night stay that they require. For those who have gone this route, which garage did you chose for parking, and how early did you get into town? Just don’t want to have to park miles away and walk, especially in uncooperative weather! TIA.
I am oficially a Yale mom ! D pressed Yes (or whatever it is ) last night Thank you for all the replies. Looking forward to getting to know you over the next five years. It has been very emotionally exhausting month, I am glad it is over.
@CIEE83 - yes, she is! I am sending you a pm.
Hooray @Kelowna! Welcome! I remember you from the college class of 17 thread. My D is just finishing her second year at Yale and loves it. I hope your D finds great friends, learning experiences, and ECs she loves. Celebrate! Then breathe a sigh of relief and relax!
@musicmerit - Thanks! Two years ago my son turned down Yale . When D got accepted my stomach twisted - I was
not ready for that emotional spin. Yet she gave me one! So happy for myself right now - I LOVED Yale when we visited last year, the buildings are simply magnificent. Looking forward to many visits there !
Is there any kind of a convocation at Yale? Freshman orientation? Any activities for the parents?
Freshmen move in on Friday. There are lots of activities for parents that day. There is a convocation Saturday morning. They try to kick the parents out after lunch. All the later activities are for students only. We did not stay for Saturday due to having siblings along. We watched the convocation stream live from our air conditioned home.
@Kelowna this summer you will be mailed the list of events. Hang on to that because some of the events will be in the residential college that your child will be going into but is not physically staying there until second year. As well there are other places that you may not be familiar with. It’s a BIG place! having all the place names helps in asking for directions! we went to everything parents were invited to and had a great time. Our girl came too to see her brother go and we all had a great time. We did some special things for her while he was in orientation.
And there is a lot on this thread about the Orientation programs. They are great too
@oldladyandmom , what do you mean by “some of the events will be in the residential college that your child will be going into but is not physically staying there until second year.” ? Aren’t they assigned colleges for all four years?
@Kelowna, The students are assigned a residential college for all four years, but all of the freshmen live in dorms on Old Campus. Your child’s particular dorm in Old Campus will house all of the freshmen that are in his/her assigned residential college. It’s not until sophomore year that they move into their specific residential college’s dormitory.
@Kelowna, I’m not oldladyandmom, obviously, but I can answer. With some exceptions (Silliman and Timothy Dwight), freshmen live on Old Campus. For example, DS is “in” Pierson but has lived this year in Lanman Wright (known as L-Dub). Next year he will reside at Pierson.
It actually works to have the freshmen from other residential colleges living together, although they’re somewhat segregated. In L-Dub, one area is for Pierson, another for Berkeley.
Hi there - my son is in Davenport but this year is located in Welch Hall in a suite with 6 others. I should add the suite is ENORMOUS with many (over half) having their own rooms. It also has a great big living room with what once was a working fireplace. There are 2 full Bathrooms and two hallways. They have all the benefits of the residential college system though in terms of activities, the Dean, help, food etc. So when you go to meet the Dean and see the college which is one of the events new parents can go to, it will be at the actual college location (if you are assigned one where you don’t physically move there until second year)
Thank you! It makes sense now…
Well, it is official! DD clicked her acceptance button for YALE. She is beyond excited to be a bulldog. I have a question about move in day. She will be participating in FOOT and since we are coming from California, how does this work? She hasn’t decided if she’s doing the 4 day or the 6 day but either way she will not have a key to her dorm until she returns. I can arrange to fly in at a different time but will there be a place for her to store what she brings with her for the dorm while she is participating in FOOT?
Congrats and welcome @Suemomsie! It is my understanding that parents are allowed to get the key on move in day and move all the stuff in before your student returns. Hopefully someone with FOOT experience will answer about storage before that.
You may want to have your D ask the question about move in and FOOT on the admitted students FB page. From what I remember last year, the moderators answered questions quickly and accurately.