Congrats to your son and to dad! I personally wouldn't change a thing. I love that you start out with a bunch of other freshmen all figuring it out. It's one of the best times of your life. The one thing I would research is which dorms are currently updated, which are being renovated, and which are still without AC and other improvements.
Appreciate the feedback!
I was given advice to request West Halls dorms. I'd call it a mixed bag. There were far fewer freshmen so it was a bit harder to meet people, but it was very close to most classes, which was great in the winter.
I prefer not to skip the freshman experience. But to each their own. Freshman year was probably the most fun IMO because we were all figuring it out together. I also saw my nephew go too far off campus for an awesome apartment in year 2. He moved back to right off campus for years 3 and 4.
I totally agree. I have some great friends from West halls, but part of me wishes I lived in east with almost all freshmen. Also agree about apartments. After 2 yrs in West Halls, I moved out to State College Park off N Atherton. It was a great place..nice with great amenities and single bedrooms, but too far from campus/downtown. Spent Sr year in a sh*tty house off Pugh which was my best experience of college.