<p>For 2012 PFW, Sept 28-30, any thoughts about what its like, whether it is worth an OOS trip (from KS, not a neighboring state). And how soon should we look at making reservations? </p>
<p>Looking at the agenda from last year, some of the sessions look quite interesting, but not that it really looks like it helps understand our son’s life there. </p>
<p>I appreciate your thoughts.</p>
<p>When my parents came down (2008), it was really expensive…the only fun thing we did was watch a football game on the big screen at the Schott and walk around campus.</p>
<p>I would just go down a different weekend and visit your child…it will be much cheaper, easier to find a hotel, and your student can still give you a self-guided tour…even wait past Sept 28 so they know campus a little more.</p>
<p>Just a personal opinion</p>
<p>My D is just about to wrap up her third year. She’s OOS and we have never attended parent’s weekend. She told us not to. It wasn’t worth it. We visit at other times (home game weekend in the fall, once in the spring, once in the summer). Ask your son how he feels about it. He may want you to come in.</p>
<p>We went for our now second year student and thought it was a good thing to attend. We attended everything and found it very worthwhile. Our then freshman attended some of the workshops/tours with us and learned things about OSU he had no idea about. We too live far away and they had a very nice lunch for the OOS parents and students in the Archie Griffin ballroom. We sat with parents and students from our home state so my child got to meet others from his area who were new to him. Our parents weekend also had some cool speakers; we had the president so it was exciting seeing secret service set up and we had the creator of The Simpsons. </p>
<p>Plus around that time you child may need a brief visit from you and the weekend does the trick. Many parents attend so if you child is a bit homesick; seeing other parents around and not you may make it worse. All of my child’s roommates had their parents visit. The other thing you may enjoy is taking your child and their new friends out for a nice meal. We did and learned a lot about their “new life.” There are many good places in the Short North neighborhood near campus</p>
<p>As far as hotels it really is not a big problem especially since some new hotels got built near campus. We like the Hyatt Place near the river and there is a new Springhill Suites (or other type of Marriott hotel) near Lennox Place. The Hilton Garden Inn on Oletangy River Road is also comfortable. Of course you can splurge and do the Blackwell.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for your feedback. We live in KS, so it will be a bit of an effort.</p>