Things We Wish We Had Known

By Michelle Cash P'20

When the Communications Committee discussed writing a brief article on “things we wish we had known,” I eagerly volunteered to write it so that I could learn from others in the Claremont McKenna community. Little did I know that my request would turn up so many amazing and helpful suggestions! Time and space limitations prevent me from including every suggestion, but listed below are items that kept coming up.

I wish I had known:

…More about Orientation/Moving to CMC

• The Ontario Airport is the closest to campus and easiest to navigate, but does not have direct flights from many places, which makes the decision on airports more complicated.

• The roommate selection process at CMC is very deliberate, which means that students may not have information on their roommates as soon as other schools (but, the selection process used by CMC is excellent and usually works out well).

• Orientation has two tracks—parents and students—and the two do not overlap much, so don’t expect to see your child much during that weekend.

• During the WOA trips, no cell phones are allowed, making it virtually impossible to check up on your child (who is doing just fine).

• It’s hard to leave your student for the first time, but know and trust that CMC is a fabulous place with wonderful support for parents and students.

…That Getting Involved Is Good!

• Many parents wished they had known that the CMC parent community is amazing! One parent I spoke to joined the Parent Network Board, hoping to serve in some way and be involved at her child’s school. She didn’t expect to walk away with true friends. Four years goes quickly, and she is very happy she invested time up to reap a nice harvest of friendship now.

…To Trust and Support My Student:

• It’s important to support your student as they acclimate to college at their own pace. Some will dive in right away, but others may need to get the lay of the land before they fully utilize campus resources and networks.

• It’s okay if your student is not selected for opportunities on their first try. It may seem like every CMCer has a great leadership role, institute research job, internship, etc. Encourage your student to keep learning about various CMC offerings, keep applying for various posts, and keep an open mind and positive outlook. Things will fall into place soon enough. At CMC, the opportunities are many and varied!

…To Carefully Review Tuition and Financial Aid Tax Considerations

• We can’t offer tax advice, but several parents mentioned tax and accounting issues related to the payment of tuition from 529 accounts, and the resulting reporting from the school. It would be prudent to consult with a tax advisor or accountant regarding the use of such funds.

• Similarly, we received feedback regarding the tax implications of financial aid received by students, as well work-study earnings. Parents recommend a careful review of the terms and conditions of the various types of financial aid, as well as any tax consequences.

…That the Process for Summer Internships Starts Early!

• The process of securing internships often begins in the fall. One student secured an excellent summer internship, but spent a good portion of her winter break sending emails, calling and visiting companies. Had she started the process earlier, she might have had an easier time.

• The process can be especially difficult for freshmen; many companies only want to hire juniors. Encourage your student to be flexible and don’t worry if they don’t get a dream internship for their freshman summer!

• Students who want to spend summers in their hometowns may need more guidance on obtaining an internship, especially if local opportunities are limited. Encourage them to work early with career services for advice and résumé preparation.

• Most companies that come to campus to interview for summer internships are looking for juniors. They often arrive in the fall, which means that kids who are away for that semester (abroad programs/D.C. or Silicon Valley programs) have to be much more pro-active with career services and companies. Many/most finance and consulting internships are filled by Thanksgiving!

…Tips for Dealing with Year-End Logistics

• Both on- and off-campus summer storage facilities are limited, so it’s wise to reserve your on-campus storage ASAP, especially if a student doesn’t have access to a car.

• Allow a little extra time. “It’s crazy to watch students get through finals, move all their stuff out of the dorm, and then race to the airport year after year!! We always wish we had booked her flight home a day later to leave more time for moving out.

• If you can attend Family Weekend, make sure your student is fully stocked for second semester, including all the supplies they may need for moving out in May (think storage bins, boxes, box tape, sharpies, etc.). Family Weekend is also a great time to vet/make arrangements with a storage company for summer storage if necessary.

…That Communication Helps!

• CMC now has a private Facebook page—Claremont McKenna College Parents and Families.

• We will be adding suggestions and resources (such as summer storage facilities!) to this Facebook page, and encourage parents to share any questions or suggestions.

As I mentioned at the outset, this article doesn’t include all the wonderful suggestions I received. I’m going to continue the discussion on the Claremont McKenna College Parents and Families Facebook Page—and encourage you to do the same so that others in our wonderful CMC community can learn too!

 

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