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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Not to be contrary, but why not just do a couple of days of orientation, etc. as ‘new student week’ rather than require a separate trip in the summer? Of course info should arrive over the summer, but this seems like helicopter parent 101.

As a parent, I have zero interest in staying in a dorm. And do I really need days of programming?[/quote]

Parents do NOT typically stay in the dorms....the soon to be freshman do.

And for the kids, it is a good, low pressure 1 or 2 nights in a dorm to help them get an idea what college is really like and help calm some fears for many.

For my kids, the 2 or 3 day orientation was very nice and included when they registered for classes.  Much nicer to do that in person with guidance of highly qualified staff for each major/school (eng vs business vs health sciences vs Liberal Arts vs Theater vs etc) My kid meet 2 of their future good friends at that orientation. They also got to meet one of their roommates who was at the same orientation session.  It makes it nice when you move in, you have a chance to already know a few friendly faces on campus.  It also made for our second trip to the town/campus since we are 2K miles away---although it was strange to do as we sandwiched it in right before final exams for HS---so my kid had not even officially graduated yet.  
The schools then also have 3-5 days of "new student orientation", but since kids already are registered, this can focus on them adjusting to college life, meeting people, and more of the social aspects to get freshman year started off right.

I actually don't see it as helicoptering at all.   But rather as a tool to ensure kids get started in a positive manner.  Adjusting to college is difficult for many kids.  Both of my kids went to schools 2-3K from home and knew absolutely nobody from home.  Great experience for them, but they were obviously both a bit nervous about the new life experiences and these various orientations help put them at ease.

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