Got a few questions regarding logistics from seasoned parents for check in day.
DD checks in 8/17 for the fall semester. We are driving down a few days before in 2 cars; hers and ours. I want to be there check in day but I'm seeing different reports. Does she get there and line up at 7? Does she get an assigned time to check in? If she can check in earlier does it improve her her chances of getting in the complex of her choice? If we parents are there check in morning I know we get shuttled off to an waiting area and await her call. But when does she unload her suitcases etc for move in? Does she bring them with her to check in? Get them later? We will have a good bit of her things in our car. We also want to be able to take her to the store to get whatever she discovers she needs once she starts unpacking. Will that be possible on the 17th or will she just have to manage sometime after that, once we have left, in "all the spare time" she will have on her hands? I wish there was a better timeline/itinerary/explanation of events for parents so we can plan that day better. I'm such a planner I know I sound crazy but I hate the unknown and would rather have a better handle on what to expect. :-/ I'd also like to know f we would get a chance to see her before we head back home on the 18th.
Thanks from a frustrated mom.
Similar to dpswift experience.
DD went on her own to check in as did all her roommates. DD said there were very few parents there. Everything including housing has been decided so there would be no advantage to her going earlier than her time. She will get a check in time. My DD did go early because she went with her "hopeful roommate" (DD picked her up from her hotel and drove her) and she showed her check in time to security so they were let through. She brought her printed out check in time with her to show security.
Her day went:
- Went through security showing check in time
- Parking made it seem crowded but not too bad, just not a lot of parking
- Got in line for temporary name tags and program guide
- Program guide had rules, guidelines, contact info and planner
- Lots more lines inside building
- Lines for receiving role and location, dorm information (and roommates), get keys, pictures for IDs
- Back outside to get scheduled for Casting and 3 of them scheduled immediately while 1 had the next day
- Speak with trainer about classes, health safety and housing events
- Waited on bus to go to casting
- At casting had to go to individual offices to talk to CMs about schedules and how to dress
- Received training schedule
- Discussed training and Q&A
- Turn in tax forms and get fingerprinted
- Overall this took about 4+ hours
- Girls headed together to their apartment
- Girls went to Walmart together, shopping for themselves and some apartment shared items
She returned to us at hotel around 5 pm. She was going to stay at apartment but all the roomies were doing one last night with their families. She didn't want to stay alone the first night (not afraid she had already lived alone) because she thought they should all stay the first night together. Next day started meetings and training, schedules varied among them.
She is not going to know how long she will be there for check in day or what her schedule is the next few days until she actually does check in. If you go with her you will may be waiting doing nothing for hours if she is sent to casting that day. Since she has a car I would have her go to check in then keep in touch with you. As soon as she is finishing for the day she can let you know and you can meet her at her complex to unload then hit Walmart/Target.