<p>The hotel near UCLA is expensive. Is it worth going? Parents weekend is from Friday to Sunday at end of October. Do students still have their usual class schedules on Friday?</p>
<p>Basically, Gene Block tries to smooch you and kiss your ass for a few days in the hopes that you become more comfortable with the reality of paying upwards of 25k for a PUBLIC education (on top of the 300+ you spend on the event itself). </p>
<p>Oh, and no, your kids classes won’t be scheduled differently.</p>
<p>Are you OOS? I actually haven’t met anyone whose parents came to parents’ weekend other than people involved in Greek Life and OOSers.</p>
<p>You don’t have to stay in Westwood if you have a car. You can just stay nearby somewhere in another city and just drive to Westwood.</p>
<p>No, but I have to drive 7-8 hours to L.A. or book a flight which will cost a little more than $200. But, if my student is busy with classes and midterms (I am told some midterms are right after parents weekend), I probably will not see and talk with my student much even if I am there.</p>
<p>I am the parent of a current senior. I have gone to Parents Weekend twice. Her freshman and sophomore years. Didn’t go last year as she was studying (and partying!) in Paris for the semester. We like to go, not so much to see our daughter but for other things that are offered. We won’t see her all day Friday. They do have a big outdoor dinner Friday night. We went the first year, the second we skipped it and went out elsewhere.</p>
<p>What we really enjoy is that they offer lectures and seminars for parents all day Friday. They are given by some of the top and most popular professors. We have enjoyed all the lectures we have gone to . Also, Saturday we go to the football game. Our only opportunity to go to a UCLA football game at the Rose Bowl. The first year we went on a bus with our daughters Sorority as it was Dad’s Day for her sorority. They had special T shirts for the dads and daughters which was fun for him. The second year we drove to the game but sat in the student section with our daughter.</p>
<p>We are not sure if we are going this year. It is true you don’t see your student much but we enjoy other aspects of the weekend. We come from the SF Bay area and usually drive down Thursday and drive home Sunday. We have family we can stay with or we sometimes use the hotels they list on the Parents Weekend site where you can get a discount. BUt still plan on $140-$$175 a night at least. We may go to a concert with our daughter Friday night. If your student is a freshman it might be nice to go. You certainly get a better feel for the campus, and what your son/daughter is going through while there.</p>
<p>Thanks for the thoughts. I think I will just go.</p>
<p>Glad you’re going. First year is always great for both parents and students. Make sure you and your child go to the Friday evening program/dinner. The marching band, cheer and yell squad show up, food and drink good, Joe & Josephine Bruin there, nice rally; good booths providing different information; free UCLA stuff – UCLA parent water bottles and the like.</p>
<p>I think this year it’s at the end of the month and that’s the UCLA/Cal football game that should be a good game! I already have tickets and Chancellor Tailgate tickets for that game. It’s one of those win-win games for me . . . our son will be down from Cal that weekend to cheer on the Bears to victory, while we trusty loyal Bruin alumni parents smile politely as our team gets its annual BRUsIN.</p>
<p>Parents Day is fun. When my son was a freshman, we went to a really interesting lecture on computer assisted teaching in Royce hall, followed by a wonderful luncheon buffet under a tent, featuring cheerleaders and acapella groups, then one on one discussions with the deans of various departments. After that, we watched the marching band practice, and Homecoming Parade in Westwood, and the next day went to the football game in the Rose Bowl. It was fun talking to the other parents.</p>