Anonymous wrote:Last summer at Notre Dam I didn't see any kids there without parents.

Sorry, should be Notre Dame.

Last summer at Notre Dam I didn't see any kids there without parents.

Anonymous wrote:Our oldest two are attending colleges which have a "parent's orientation."

WHY?

This is an extension of the helicopter parenting generations need to hover over their kids for a few hours longer. Colleges have just given up and created an orientation so the parents can be busy on campus and not totally interfere with the student's orientation.

Nope. They had parent's orientation 20 years ago.

I think it's a case-by-case thing -- depending on your child's preferences, on what the school has planned, etc.

I remember not caring too much at the time whether my dad came to orientation with me. It turned out to be relevant a few months later, though: I was eligible for sophomore standing, and my mom (who didn't attend orientation) was really eager for me to take it, but my dad talked her down on the basis of actually attending the presentation, where they discussed who was a good candidate for it and who wasn't. (I was not.)

A few years later a buddy and I went to orientation with a younger friend whose parents couldn't go -- he made a joke out of it when he introduced us, but the truth is he felt self-conscious being one of the few kids without parents in attendance, so we were there for moral support.

20 years ago, my parents both college and drop off only bc I was still 17 and was required to have a parent or legal guardian attend with me.

After that my parents didn't visit or really stay in touch and it was really hard despite the fact I was independent. I would have faired better had my parents been more involved the first year or so.

For parents who say they wouldn't go, do you have another more poignant activity to attend?

Anonymous wrote:Some schools have parent programs that are separate from the new student programs. I laugh at parents who think there sole role is writing a check.

Actually, your major role IS writing the check. You don't even get to see the grades unless your kid gives them to you, or you find out that your kid has been tossed out. Let your kid start making his own decisions.

If your kid's college puts on a few days of parent seminars, that's great. But DC's school, an Ivy, had almost nothing for parents, except (a) a July meeting here in DC that lasted all of 2-3 hours, and (b) sandwhich wraps under a tent on move-in day. Parent Weekend wasn't much better, but at least there was the Homecoming football game to attend.

The choice of college was DD's. But while I'm directing the first $28,000 payment (from various college accounts to the college for first semester), I'd say it's fine for us to check out the campus and hear what the administration wants to tell the parents while the students are off planning their schedules. Granted, we're much less curious with DD#3.

Some schools have parent programs that are separate from the new student programs. I laugh at parents who think there sole role is writing a check.

DH is going to DD's oriebpntation mostly because he hasn't been to the campus that's 1000 miles away. But she'll be mostly on her own while there. Parents and kids have completely different schedules. They'll go to the DC Metro area meet up (that's for parents and students).

????

If he doesn't get in, go to a decent school, work hard, get good grades and transfer in. Much easier to transfer in.

Anonymous wrote:I'm one of the parents who went and found the parents' program very helpful.

I stayed in hotel while DC was in dorm.

I'll be going too, though DC's orientation isn't an overnight - just one day. I assume I'll attend some of the parent programs and then maybe just explore the town.

I'm one of the parents who went and found the parents' program very helpful.

I stayed in hotel while DC was in dorm.

parents' not parent's...