We asked parents what they’d miss about their kids on drop-off day
‘I knew it was going to be a sad day when mom came down with the baby book and a tear in her eye’
It’s that time of year again. Old Campus was filled with nests of smelly FOOTers doing tribal chants, the line at Maison Mathis was unbearably long, and Elm Street looked like a broken rental car dealership from 7am Friday morning.
While spirits were running high for eager freshman and upperclassman move-in crews (who were probably just in it for the free food and t-shirts), parents and begrudging siblings were gearing up for tearful goodbyes to their beloved son/daughter/nerf-gun target.
We chatted with the proud mamas and papas of 2019 for some parting thoughts on their beautiful blossoming offspring as they embark on four years of midnight Durfee runs and drunken jay-walking.
Parents, welcome to the single life – you’re gonna love it.
Olivia, Pierson, English hopeful
Mom and Dad: “It’s an exciting, sad, proud moment. Lots of mixed emotions, but all joy and happiness and filled with great expectations.”
Rafael, Ezra Stiles, Econ hopeful
Dad: “Blessed – that’s a word to describe how we feel about him moving into Yale after a long year of hard work on the SAT and common app and things we’ve never even heard of.”
Gabriela, Saybrook, Undecided
Mom: “I want to take the whole Saybrook move-in team back to my house to do a couple of projects for me.”
And dad chimes in: “Oh my god.”
Natasha, Morse, Undecided
Auntie: “I’m very, very proud of her and I think Yale is a good university where you don’t have to make all of your decisions at once. It’s about the learning and it gets to the heart of what school is supposed to be.”
Alex, Ezra Stiles, History of Science hopeful
Mom: “I think he’ll bloom and just love it.”
Cecilia, Ezra Stiles, Global Health hopeful
Mom: “I’m a typical college mom – sad but proud.”
Dad: “I knew it was going to be a sad day when mom came down with the baby book and a tear in her eye.”
Trey, Trumbull, Pre-med
Dad: “It’s been a very exciting experience and we’re proud of him and the freshman moving in today. We pray and hope the Lord keeps blessing everyone.”
Harry, Calhoun, Global Affairs hopeful
Mom: “What can we say? He’s a great kid and we’re really going to miss him. It’s bittersweet – he’s the first child off to school.”
Emma, Davenport, English hopeful
Mom: “Proud of her. Overwhelming and exciting.”
Ronny, Davenport, Computer Science hopeful
Dad: “We’re excited and nervous – but he’ll be alright.”
Drake, Silliman, Mechanical Engineering hopeful
Mom: “Happy today. Tomorrow we’ll be sad, but we are so excited for him. I know he’ll have the time of his life.”