<p>Do most who are coming to one of these from another state typically come by themselves or do they come with their parents?</p>
<p>I remember it being half-and-half. It's expensive going with parents (they have to pay for a hotel because they can't stay in some kid's dorm room, and it requires more airfare costs), so many parents can't really come. Most of the activities at Columbia's days on campus are more for students only than for families, too.</p>
<p>if you're trying to decide, do NOT come with your parents. You want to be free to wander, or just be a kid and not have someone looking over your shoulder the whole time, make up your own mind, etc. Call them with updates if you like, but don't let them tag along. That's my advice.</p>
<p>Hey is anyone finding trouble with the crossover of student admit days? Particularly if one college's ends the day before another's starts? Where do students usually stay on the night in between (most colleges refuse to house students the night before or after their events)? Do we have to find hotels on our own?</p>
<p>Thanks Denzera for the suggestion.</p>
<p>Dionysus - in Columbia's case, there are a bunch of youth hostels nearby that would cost you like $20 and let you meet a bunch of new yorkers and prospective columbians, and probably give you a chance to get a feel for the neighborhood while you were at it. Ask admissions for a list, but American Youth Hostels is probably the nicest place, and the International House up broadway by 125th is also pretty nice.</p>
<p>When we did one of these some years ago, there were quite different tracks for students and parents. We didn't see all that much of each other, though we did meet up for a lunch and a few other events. Columbia did a great job with the one we went to - the admitted students seemed to really enjoy the whole thing.</p>
<p>One reason for parents from distant locations to attend this kind of event at Columbia is to develop a comfort factor with the school, its location, and NYC in general. It's surprising how many parents imagine that people are getting mugged on every street corner in NYC - seeing the reality of bustling Broadway, CU dorm and campus security, etc., will help assuage those fears.</p>