Freshman in 2015

[Futurecatdad]

My son will be entering MSU next Fall. He's received an academic scholarship and when he visited, loved the University. We are from Texas and not used to a cold environment. Besides new clothes, what else would he need to survive? I've been told we need an engine block heater. Any tips/advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

[bobcat99]

My son will be entering MSU next Fall. He's received an academic scholarship and when he visited, loved the University. We are from Texas and not used to a cold environment. Besides new clothes, what else would he need to survive? I've been told we need an engine block heater. Any tips/advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

I never had to plug in my vehicle when I went to school here, it's a nice option, but not a necessity. Definitely get a wiper w/ blade for windshields. That's a must. Maybe snow tires might help, but you don't need them. Warm coat, gloves, boots, things like that.

[Cat Grad]

My son will be entering MSU next Fall. He's received an academic scholarship and when he visited, loved the University. We are from Texas and not used to a cold environment. Besides new clothes, what else would he need to survive? I've been told we need an engine block heater. Any tips/advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

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http://epreppers.com/pages/emergency-su ... vAodDEcAmw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As I was raised in the Gallatin Valley adjacent to the MSU campus and spent most of my first 28 years of my life there, I'd recommend getting one of these emergency kits to put in the vehicle. Dependent upon the vehicle (and I'd recommend either a Yukon Denali or Tahoe) for winter driving and ensure you've got it winterized for the young man and if he lives in the dorms, I don't know if there's anyplace to plug the vehicle in. But, you can't go wrong with either a block or tank heater on cold days and it does get pretty cold in the Valley but not the sustained cold like Northeastern Montana.

Also, I don't know if you've taken him skiing, but one thing for certain when you get to the area, swing by either the Powder Horn or the Round House and they'll get you set up for whatever he desires for ski or snowboarding equipment. There's also some pretty knowledgeable folks at the big chains on 19th that'd be a great help but for most college kids, they're pretty expensive. As I was a by-product of their Army ROTC department and spent quite a while in the Infantry, I'd highly recommend you get him a good pair of Pacs. If you're going to get him into snowmobiling, get him the entire cold weather snowmobile suit. You'll hear a lot of folks recommend getting him all kinds of layers, but a snowmobile suit which is little more than coveralls have zippers he can simply open up.

Also, if he's into fishing the local rivers are soon to be in the very best of the year; e.g., get him some chest waders and boots with felt soles

The main thing as far as vehicles, just have it winterized as soon as you get him there and as previously mentioned, you can't beat a Yukon or Tahoe. Good all terrain tires, winterized and for peace of mind, get a tank heater or engine block. Some of the survival kits you'll want to throw in the rig have slave (jumper cables) provided. Welcome to Montana and take him by Montana Hall. I think the 3d and 4th floor is the Army ROTC Detachment.

[KittieKop]

You don't have to freak out about winter in Montana; its not like your son is moving to the Yukon or anything. I've lived here my entire 43 years of life and have gotten by fine. A short list:

1. You don't need a $70,000 4 wheel drive vehicle. Whatever he comes with is fine, unless he's doing stupid winter off-road stuff that a sane person shouldn't be doing anyway. Even if he's running to the ski hills, he'll be fine. Winter wiper blades that don't ice as bad, a good snow brush/ice scraper, have the coolant checked that its good for below zero temps and you're good. If he's coming in a good all-wheel drive vehicle he's probably alright, otherwise a set of snow tires would be good.

2. You mentioned clothes: get him a good jacket - though he doesn't need a $400 Northface, just something warm. A good hat, gloves, a decent set of thermal long underwear and yes, some type of snow boot if he's doing anything outdoors beyond walking back and forth to class.

3. Just tell your son to be smart and he'll be fine.

[Cat Grad]

My son will be entering MSU next Fall. He's received an academic scholarship and when he visited, loved the University. We are from Texas and not used to a cold environment. Besides new clothes, what else would he need to survive? I've been told we need an engine block heater. Any tips/advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

In addition to the prepackaged survival kit to throw in the back of the vehicle, I'd highly recommend a set of chains for whatever he's going to drive. If he's used to doing "stuff" and wants a road trip, Seattle isn't that far away and they have several passes that require chains in the winter. If he's a hunter, he'll probably want them just for peace of mind whether he uses them or not.

Keeping my fingers crossed as my youngest daughter just got her letter of acceptance. Maybe, just maybe I can have one of my kids go to MSU. The three oldest all thought other schools were "more exciting" than hunting, fishing, skiing, snowboarding and road trips up through Yellowstone.

Oh yeah, tell him congratulations on the academic scholarship. It'll afford you the ability to outfit him with a lot of extras instead of room, board and tuition draining the savings plan.

[bobcat99]

Chains? He doesn't need chains, unless they're for towing. Even then, not a necessity. I never needed them in college. Any car will do fine. Tires matter more than having a 4x4. Like KK said earlier, avoid the expensive name brand clothing and just get warm stuff. Costco has a bunch.

Don't listen to Cat Grad.

[91catAlum]

Chains? He doesn't need chains, unless they're for towing. Even then, not a necessity. I never needed them in college. Any car will do fine. Tires matter more than having a 4x4. Like KK said earlier, avoid the expensive name brand clothing and just get warm stuff. Costco has a bunch.

Don't listen to Cat Grad.

Gotta agree about not needing chains. I've lived in Montana 42 of my 47 years and I've never owned a set of tire chains.

[allcat]

Chains? He doesn't need chains, unless they're for towing. Even then, not a necessity. I never needed them in college. Any car will do fine. Tires matter more than having a 4x4. Like KK said earlier, avoid the expensive name brand clothing and just get warm stuff. Costco has a bunch.

Don't listen to Cat Grad.

Gotta agree about not needing chains. I've lived in Montana 42 of my 47 years and I've never owned a set of tire chains.

I have. Only needed them when I had my 4 wheel drive someplace I probably should not have been anyway. Plus those chains needed signs going to Seattle are for the 18 wheelers.

[TIrwin24]

The biggest investment that I did for myself while in Bozeman was to gain my Montana residency.

It saved me huge amounts of money on college tuition (I paid for myself), and it was relatively easy to do. Definitely look into it.

Having the ability to opt out of sales tax in other states is pretty nice as well.

[Cat Grad]

The biggest investment that I did for myself while in Bozeman was to gain my Montana residency.

It saved me huge amounts of money on college tuition (I paid for myself), and it was relatively easy to do. Definitely look into it.

Having the ability to opt out of sales tax in other states is pretty nice as well.

Another cost saving move would be to register and license your son's vehicle in Montana. If you get a used Tahoe or Yukon at CarMax for instance, over 11 years old you get permanent license plates. Plus, as TIrwin pointed out, you avoid your state sales tax. Several of my neighbors fly to St Louis or Dallas for their new vehicles rather than put up with local dealers. One less thing to worry about while your kid is off in school miles away. My own experience having had kids in school all the way from Moscow, Idaho to Charleston, SC and Statesboro, GA at the same time the little things wore me out worrying about. Still a pain getting proof of insurance in their glove compartment.

The oldest I still have to follow up on continually fixing his screw ups and he's almost 44 (I think). Still acts like he's 25 and still thinks he knows everything and the third one is obviously going to be my professional student bouncing back and forth from school to school. College of Charleston and Baylor are expensive and you're getting a very inexpensive education for your son.

So, just for the peace of mind from a parental aspect and even though he may wind up with one of our "big city" Montana kids as a roommate, I'd still get him outfitted for farm and ranch lifestyles as MSU is a land grant school. There's a pretty good chance he will have a ranch kid as a roommate. I've got cousins who go back and forth rodeoing still but for the most part, just get the extra stuff, throw it in the back of the rig and if they never use it, okay.

[coachouert]

The biggest investment that I did for myself while in Bozeman was to gain my Montana residency.

It saved me huge amounts of money on college tuition (I paid for myself), and it was relatively easy to do. Definitely look into it.

Having the ability to opt out of sales tax in other states is pretty nice as well.

Another cost saving move would be to register and license your son's vehicle in Montana. If you get a used Tahoe or Yukon at CarMax for instance, over 11 years old you get permanent license plates. Plus, as TIrwin pointed out, you avoid your state sales tax. Several of my neighbors fly to St Louis or Dallas for their new vehicles rather than put up with local dealers. One less thing to worry about while your kid is off in school miles away. My own experience having had kids in school all the way from Moscow, Idaho to Charleston, SC and Statesboro, GA at the same time the little things wore me out worrying about. Still a pain getting proof of insurance in their glove compartment.

The oldest I still have to follow up on continually fixing his screw ups and he's almost 44 (I think). Still acts like he's 25 and still thinks he knows everything and the third one is obviously going to be my professional student bouncing back and forth from school to school. College of Charleston and Baylor are expensive and you're getting a very inexpensive education for your son.

So, just for the peace of mind from a parental aspect and even though he may wind up with one of our "big city" Montana kids as a roommate, I'd still get him outfitted for farm and ranch lifestyles as MSU is a land grant school. There's a pretty good chance he will have a ranch kid as a roommate. I've got cousins who go back and forth rodeoing still but for the most part, just get the extra stuff, throw it in the back of the rig and if they never use it, okay.

As most have said, an engine block heater or chains are not really necessary. I drove a little 86 Ford Ranger through my college years with no four wheel drive and got around fine in Bozeman. We have plows, electricity and indoor plumbing contrary to what some people may think out there.

If a student is gaining residency they are required to get a Montana drivers license or register a vehicle along with many other requirements which can be found online at http://www.montana.edu/registrar/Residency.html. TIrwin makes a really good point on considering residency, however I'd strongly encourage your student to go to school full time at least his first semester before starting residency to ensure that he wants to stay in Montana. A lot of students don't think about the fact that if they start immediately and gain Montana residency, they cannot go back to their home state and pay in-state tuition there if they decide Montana is not where they want to be. Something to consider.

Also, while Montana is the land grant school, enrollment numbers from the farming and ranch areas have been declining the last several years due to the declining populations in many of those areas. Your student has just as good of a chance ending up with a "ranch kid" as Cat Grad refers to them as they do living with a student from Minneapolis, Denver, Seattle, Portland etc. Last year's freshmen class of over 3,000 students was almost 50/50 split between Montana students and out of state students. Many like myself are born and raised in Montana and enjoy other activities offered around Montana and the Bozeman area besides farming. If you do have any specific questions about the admission's process, MSU in general or Bozeman, feel free to contact me via PM and I can get you my contact information (I work in Admissions).

Good luck to your student and glad to hear he is becoming a part of the Bobcat Family!

[ChiOCat]

Never had chains or block heater in Montana, and I made many winter trips over Homestake pass!

Warm coat, good boots, and a ski pass to Bridger

[SonomaCat]

So, just for the peace of mind from a parental aspect and even though he may wind up with one of our "big city" Montana kids as a roommate, I'd still get him outfitted for farm and ranch lifestyles as MSU is a land grant school. There's a pretty good chance he will have a ranch kid as a roommate. I've got cousins who go back and forth rodeoing still but for the most part, just get the extra stuff, throw it in the back of the rig and if they never use it, okay.

Or he may end up with a farm and ranch kid as a roommate that dresses and acts just like the city kids (or at least tries to) ... like most of my friends from our farm and ranch town did.

Honestly, there's not much different that a kid needs to do to get ready to attend MSU than they would to attend any other school anywhere else in the country. It's a pretty big school with all different types of people and all different types of fashion, so whatever one's wardrobe looks now will work just fine. Yeah, you may need an extra coat or two, but that's about it.

[Cat Grad]

As I posted earlier, I am now looking at my fourth child heading off to school and sincerely hope she decides on MSU. As my youngest daughter, I got her a remote starter and she also has heated seats in her vehicle. She doesn't hunt, fish, ski, snowboard or any of the other outdoor activities other than camping and shooting. She loves to travel and will go on her first solo trip to Europe before school starts next fall...if she chooses MSU, I will have her leave her rifles at her cousins in Belgrade or Manhattan.

There are a million things to do in and around MSU and good luck. Plus, about Thanksgiving they all get restless and are off on huge roadtrips that usually worries me to death. And then there's spring break. If you can, I would recommend a family beach trip at least the first year. It will probably be my luck to have all my children choose other schools.

[allcat]

As I posted earlier, I am now looking at my fourth child heading off to school and sincerely hope she decides on MSU. As my youngest daughter, I got her a remote starter and she also has heated seats in her vehicle. She doesn't hunt, fish, ski, snowboard or any of the other outdoor activities other than camping and shooting. She loves to travel and will go on her first solo trip to Europe before school starts next fall...if she chooses MSU, I will have her leave her rifles at her cousins in Belgrade or Manhattan.

There are a million things to do in and around MSU and good luck. Plus, about Thanksgiving they all get restless and are off on huge roadtrips that usually worries me to death. And then there's spring break. If you can, I would recommend a family beach trip at least the first year. It will probably be my luck to have all my children choose other schools.

If she does not hunt, why the gun? Does she target shoot?

[LongTimeCatFan]

As I posted earlier, I am now looking at my fourth child heading off to school and sincerely hope she decides on MSU. As my youngest daughter, I got her a remote starter and she also has heated seats in her vehicle. She doesn't hunt, fish, ski, snowboard or any of the other outdoor activities other than camping and shooting. She loves to travel and will go on her first solo trip to Europe before school starts next fall...if she chooses MSU, I will have her leave her rifles at her cousins in Belgrade or Manhattan.

There are a million things to do in and around MSU and good luck. Plus, about Thanksgiving they all get restless and are off on huge roadtrips that usually worries me to death. And then there's spring break. If you can, I would recommend a family beach trip at least the first year. It will probably be my luck to have all my children choose other schools.

If she does not hunt, why the gun? Does she target shoot?

Why the inquisition? As far as I'm concerned, it's just good practice to know how to shoot and have a functioning rifle with plenty of ammo.

[allcat]

As I posted earlier, I am now looking at my fourth child heading off to school and sincerely hope she decides on MSU. As my youngest daughter, I got her a remote starter and she also has heated seats in her vehicle. She doesn't hunt, fish, ski, snowboard or any of the other outdoor activities other than camping and shooting. She loves to travel and will go on her first solo trip to Europe before school starts next fall...if she chooses MSU, I will have her leave her rifles at her cousins in Belgrade or Manhattan.

There are a million things to do in and around MSU and good luck. Plus, about Thanksgiving they all get restless and are off on huge roadtrips that usually worries me to death. And then there's spring break. If you can, I would recommend a family beach trip at least the first year. It will probably be my luck to have all my children choose other schools.

If she does not hunt, why the gun? Does she target shoot?

Why the inquisition? As far as I'm concerned, it's just good practice to know how to shoot and have a functioning rifle with plenty of ammo.

You would think it an inquisition. From the gist of his post his daughter does not like anything he likes, including the guns. I'm curious at why he would want her to have a gun at a cousin's house if she cares nothing for them. That is what I asked about the target practice. By the way don't look behind that tree, someone is probably watching you.

[LongTimeCatFan]

As I posted earlier, I am now looking at my fourth child heading off to school and sincerely hope she decides on MSU. As my youngest daughter, I got her a remote starter and she also has heated seats in her vehicle. She doesn't hunt, fish, ski, snowboard or any of the other outdoor activities other than camping and shooting. She loves to travel and will go on her first solo trip to Europe before school starts next fall...if she chooses MSU, I will have her leave her rifles at her cousins in Belgrade or Manhattan.

There are a million things to do in and around MSU and good luck. Plus, about Thanksgiving they all get restless and are off on huge roadtrips that usually worries me to death. And then there's spring break. If you can, I would recommend a family beach trip at least the first year. It will probably be my luck to have all my children choose other schools.

If she does not hunt, why the gun? Does she target shoot?

Why the inquisition? As far as I'm concerned, it's just good practice to know how to shoot and have a functioning rifle with plenty of ammo.

You would think it an inquisition. From the gist of his post his daughter does not like anything he likes, including the guns. I'm curious at why he would want her to have a gun at a cousin's house if she cares nothing for them. That is what I asked about the target practice. By the way don't look behind that tree, someone is probably watching you.

Ok, I'll be sure to put my tin foil hat on. Thanks for lookin' out.

[allcat]

As I posted earlier, I am now looking at my fourth child heading off to school and sincerely hope she decides on MSU. As my youngest daughter, I got her a remote starter and she also has heated seats in her vehicle. She doesn't hunt, fish, ski, snowboard or any of the other outdoor activities other than camping and shooting. She loves to travel and will go on her first solo trip to Europe before school starts next fall...if she chooses MSU, I will have her leave her rifles at her cousins in Belgrade or Manhattan.

There are a million things to do in and around MSU and good luck. Plus, about Thanksgiving they all get restless and are off on huge roadtrips that usually worries me to death. And then there's spring break. If you can, I would recommend a family beach trip at least the first year. It will probably be my luck to have all my children choose other schools.

If she does not hunt, why the gun? Does she target shoot?

Why the inquisition? As far as I'm concerned, it's just good practice to know how to shoot and have a functioning rifle with plenty of ammo.

You would think it an inquisition. From the gist of his post his daughter does not like anything he likes, including the guns. I'm curious at why he would want her to have a gun at a cousin's house if she cares nothing for them. That is what I asked about the target practice. By the way don't look behind that tree, someone is probably watching you.

Ok, I'll be sure to put my tin foil hat on. Thanks for lookin' out.

Is it actually made from tin? Most of the foil nowadays is made of aluminum. Does one work better than another? Have we scared the dad enough that the kid transferred?

[LongTimeCatFan]

As I posted earlier, I am now looking at my fourth child heading off to school and sincerely hope she decides on MSU. As my youngest daughter, I got her a remote starter and she also has heated seats in her vehicle. She doesn't hunt, fish, ski, snowboard or any of the other outdoor activities other than camping and shooting. She loves to travel and will go on her first solo trip to Europe before school starts next fall...if she chooses MSU, I will have her leave her rifles at her cousins in Belgrade or Manhattan.

There are a million things to do in and around MSU and good luck. Plus, about Thanksgiving they all get restless and are off on huge roadtrips that usually worries me to death. And then there's spring break. If you can, I would recommend a family beach trip at least the first year. It will probably be my luck to have all my children choose other schools.

If she does not hunt, why the gun? Does she target shoot?

Why the inquisition? As far as I'm concerned, it's just good practice to know how to shoot and have a functioning rifle with plenty of ammo.

You would think it an inquisition. From the gist of his post his daughter does not like anything he likes, including the guns. I'm curious at why he would want her to have a gun at a cousin's house if she cares nothing for them. That is what I asked about the target practice. By the way don't look behind that tree, someone is probably watching you.

Ok, I'll be sure to put my tin foil hat on. Thanks for lookin' out.

Is it actually made from tin? Most of the foil nowadays is made of aluminum. Does one work better than another? Have we scared the dad enough that the kid transferred?

Definitely tin is better. Definitely, doesn't let the gamma rays through. Definitely, tin is better, definitely.

As far as the kid, I heard she was going to UM anyway.