Freshman FAQ

Freshman FAQ

Q: How and when do I get my Connecticut College e-mail address?

A. Your Connecticut College email address and password will be sent to you in late May at the personal email address you give us, so please check your email often and keep us informed of any change! If you need to change the personal email address on file with us, please contact admission@conncoll.edu before May 21.

Once you have activated your College email account, we will use it to send you important information and updates throughout the summer. Please check that email address at least weekly; in late May 2011, we will send updates and information only to the Connecticut College email address only. In late July, you'll get an email letting you know your room assignment and who your roommate(s) will be.

If you don’t activate and check your Connecticut College email, you will miss important information.You will also need that email address to register online for fall courses. If you don’t get your College email address, contact the Help Desk at help@conncoll.edu or call 860-439-4357.

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Q: What kinds of mailings, forms and correspondence should I expect, especially with due dates?

A. You will receive, along with other materials,an Enrollment Guide with many forms to fill out and return. Back to Top »

Q: When does Freshman Orientation begin?

A. New student Orientation begins on Arrival Day (the day all first-year students arrive), Friday, Aug. 24, 2012. More information about Orientation will be available soon. Classes begin on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. Back to Top »

Q: How early can we arrive at Freshman Orientation and where do we go?

Move-in is on Arrival Day, Friday, Aug. 24, 2012. Students should arrive at their residence hall starting at 9 a.m. They'll be greeted, given their key and swipe card, move in, meet their roommate(s) and get settled  before the first event of the day. The parents will attend their own Arrival Day activities in the morning while students head off to start Orientation. At the end of the day, there will be a closing reception for parents and students, after which parents will say goodbye and depart, around 5 p.m. 
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Q: What activities are scheduled for families on Arrival Day? When do families depart?

A. See above.
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Q: What can you tell me about my room?

We've tried to anticipate all your questions your room! You'll find answers in the Residential Life and Education FAQ section.

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Q: How do I sign up for the meal plan?

A. You're automatically signed up for the meal plan as a matriculated student. The plan consists of three meals per day, Monday through Friday, and brunch and dinner on the weekends. In addition to the dining halls on campus, there is a snack shop in "Cro," the College Center at Crozier-Williams. Your student ID card is your ticket for your meals in the dining halls and for the Oasis Snack Shop, where you can use your ID card until the dollar amount is depleted. The dollar amount can then be replenished through the accounting office.

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Q: How do I pay for my laundry?

There are washers and dryers in each residence hall. Your Dining Services-issued ID card is also used to store laundry money for use in the campus washers and dryers. "Add Value" machines are located in the College Center at Crozier-Williams ("Cro"), Harris Dining Hall and Freeman residence hall so you can add money to your ID card. If you encounter a problem while adding money to your laundry account, contact Dining Services in Wright residence hall or call x2570.
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Q: How much money will I need for books and supplies?

A. Books can cost up to $600 per semester, depending on the classes you sign up for. The Bookshop on campus sells new and used books, notebooks, and other academic supplies. Many students also put signs up around campus advertising books they are selling at discount prices. If you plan on taking an art course, the Bookshop carries most of the supplies that you will need, at a 10-25% off the suggested retail price.

At the end of each semester, the Bookshop allows students to sell their books back and receive a percentage of the cost of the books.

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Q: Where do I get a bank account?

Bank Accounts

For students' convenience, an ATM is located in the College Center ("Cro") next to the Bookshop. It is served by Citizens Bank, which also has a branch in New London. Students who don't already have bank accounts can set one up at any bank of their choosing. Also a few area banks will be on campus on arrival day for that purpose.

All student employees are required to enroll for direct deposit with a bank to receive their paychecks. The College will directly deposit an employee's paycheck into any U.S. bank; it doesn't have to be a bank that is local to the College.

Bookshop Account

All students may open an account at the Bookshop in the Student Center. It is a very convenient way to pay for books and all other needs at the Bookshop. These accounts are deposit accounts - parents or students can deposit funds up front, to be used as needed throughout the year. Cash, checks and credit cards can be used to pay for these accounts. The Bookshop can accept payments over the phone, by mail or through e-mail. For more information, e-mail bookshop@conncoll.edu.

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Q: Are there computers on campus for student use? Should I bring my own computer?

A. Open access workstations are available in the Information Commons of the Charles E. Shain Library. The Advanced Technology Laboratory, also in Shain Library, contains computers and peripherals for the development of multimedia materials and exploration of new technologies. The Ammerman Center for Arts & Technology enables students to work with the faculty to study, use and create new technologies in their fields of academic interest.

Around exam periods, open access workstations tend to get very crowded. For this reason, as well as for convenience, we strongly encourage you to arrive on campus with a computer and appropriate Ethernet capability. Whether your computer is a laptop or a desktop, you can use network resources from your dorm room.With a laptop, you can also access the network from the library, laboratories and classrooms, and via wireless access points around campus.

The campus supports both Apple and Windows computers. You can buy your computer from one of the vendors listed on the College's online computer store. The College does not profit from this arrangement, which offers substantial discounts on select models of Dell, Mac and HP computers. In addition, by choosing one of these models, you're more likely to find support staff on campus who are familiar with your machine. 

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Q: How do I get my student ID?

A. IDs will be distributed on Arrival Day. Students should arrive at their residence hall at 9 a.m. You'll be greeted by housefellows, floor governors and student advisers and will be able to get your ID and room key at the same time.
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Q: How should I send things to the College before my arrival on campus?

A. Send by U. S. Post Office parcel post, FedEx or UPS. Parcels sent by UPS can be picked up from the campus post office on Arrival Day, Friday, August 24, 2012, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., on again on Saturday, August 25 and Monday, August 27. Information about your campus mailbox and combination will be sent to you over the summer.

Address on all parcels must include your college campus box number (if available) and most importantly your class year, "Class of 20XX." Pack your belongings in boxes small enough to carry since there are no delivery services to the residential houses. Packages should be limited to 50 pounds.

For example:

Name of Student
Connecticut College
Box Number
Class of 2015
270 Mohegan Avenue
New London, CT 06320-4196

There should be a gold slip in your campus mailbox to notify you that your UPS parcel has arrived. You will need the gold slip and a photo ID to pick up your packages, since you will not yet have your student ID. If your packages arrived by parcel post, you will get a pink notification slip in your mailbox.

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Q: Can I bring a car to campus?

A. Beginning with the incoming Class of 2015, freshmen will no longer be allowed to have cars on campus. You may find that you don’t need a car at Connecticut College. There are numerous transportation alternatives, including Zipcar, the Camel Van shuttle, SEAT (the local city bus) and several taxi services. Many students also use bicycles to get around campus and off. Learn more about these options in our transportation section.

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Q: What is the best way to get from the airport or train station to Connecticut College?

A. It is most convenient to get to the College if you land at Logan Airport in Boston (2 hours from the College). From there you can take the "T", which is the subway train, to South Station where you can take the Amtrak train to New London.

Taxis are available from Union Station. See the Transportation section for more details.

If you arrive at T.F. Green Airport in Providence, R.I. (45 minutes-1 hour from the College), you can take a taxi or an airport shuttle to the Amtrak train station or the Greyhound bus station in Providence and from there take the train or the bus to New London.

If you arrive at JFK International Airport in New York, you can take the airport shuttle (AirTrain) to Penn Station where you can take the Amtrak train to New London. Or you can take the airport shuttle to Port Authority where you can take the Greyhound bus to New London.

Another alternative from JFK is to book a ride with Connecticut Limousine Services to take you from JFK to New Haven, where you can take the Amtrak Train to New London. Call 800-472-5466 or 203-878-2222.

Taxis are available from Union Station.  See the Transportation section for more details.

There is no Amtrak train service from Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Conn. You may make a prior reservation for a livery/limousine service, such as Livery Limited (860-959-6339). 

Taxi service from T.F. Green Airport in Providence or Bradley Airport, Hartford, is also available, from Harry's Taxi 860-442-4054. They require prior reservations.

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Q: What are the local attractions, best restaurants, and lodging in surrounding area?

A.   Visit our "Area Hotels, Dining" page for dining and lodging suggestions. New students will also receive the booklet "Over the Hump," which also includes a list of restaurants, shops and things to do in the New London area.
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Last Modified: Wednesday, April 01, 2009 4:19 PM