I am sure it varies by college but it was definitely worth it for us to go freshman year to family weekend at our DS' Ivy. There were parent events each day, ranging from social to some really interesting lectures, as well as the Homecoming game etc. It was a great opportunity to meet his friends and some of their parents, several of whom we have stayed in touch with.
I appreciate not everyone can afford to attend but I wouldn't just knee jerk say it is not worth it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We went in with the mindset that it would be about what the kid needed.

Sounded lonely/homesick/not yet integrating, we'd go. Sounded like a bird set free, we'd stay home.

Anything in between it came down to if we were asked. This is their journey.

I get what you're saying, but isn't this your journey as well? Just because they left home, doesn't mean that you can't be part of it ...

I agree. My son would not openly communicate if he was lonely/homesick etc. And it certainly doesn't translate in texts or FaceTime. Going to see them in person provides a lot of clues into their well-being, their friends, and their new hobbies or experiences. They are still your kids; it doesn't mean you are controlling or directing them, it means you are building a new shared experience. It's been a wonderful journey seeing our college student grow, learn and become their own person. It doesn't mean we can't find some new common ground to enjoy together and we have enjoyed the family weekend trips - it's especially nice because it's a very short/quick trip - so we see a snapshot of their life (I'm sure they have cultivated what they want us to know/see). Regardless, for us the time together has been priceless.

Anonymous wrote:We went in with the mindset that it would be about what the kid needed.

Sounded lonely/homesick/not yet integrating, we'd go. Sounded like a bird set free, we'd stay home.

Anything in between it came down to if we were asked. This is their journey.

I get what you're saying, but isn't this your journey as well? Just because they left home, doesn't mean that you can't be part of it ...

We went in with the mindset that it would be about what the kid needed.

Sounded lonely/homesick/not yet integrating, we'd go. Sounded like a bird set free, we'd stay home.

Anything in between it came down to if we were asked. This is their journey.

Anonymous wrote:Worth the expense, probably not but time with your kid, priceless. I think freshman parents should make a effort to go and after that you decide.

This. Plus the organized fun welcoming activities during family weekend makes it worthwhile. Orientation week drop-off is hectic and no time to explore campus and surroundings. Family weekend is the time to do so.

We're within 3 hrs driving distance and have never gone for family weekend. The school doesn't offer a ton of programming, and the hotels all raise the prices to a ridiculous rate (fairly rural school, so limited stock). We choose to go up a different weekend when hotels are reasonable, and it's easier to get into restaurants, etc.

No. Hotels are overpriced and hard to find. The organized activities aren’t great. Go on an off weekend.

We’ve never gone for either kid. We go on another weekend. Much more enjoyable

Worth the expense, probably not but time with your kid, priceless. I think freshman parents should make a effort to go and after that you decide.