<p>I was accepted early. My mom wants to go with me on the April visit to the campus. I live fairly far away from the campus, so we would be traveling for a while.</p>
<p>My question: Is anybody else bringing a parent with them? Is this unheard of or a common practice? I know a lot of colleges have these prefrosh weekends that you most def. don't want your parents at.</p>
<p>I'm fine with traveling on my own, etc. I'll be 18 then. Just don't want to be the only loser with a parent, or the only person without one. I'm planning to stay on campus with a host and my mom would get a hotel room.</p>
<p>If I remember correctly, most students had parents with them for the programming during the day. I did not, and I was fine. You have a long time to decide, though, so don't worry about it. I'm sure either way is OK.</p>
<p>I'm having my "mommy" drive me down there- there is actually a tour just for parents on thursday- then pick me up the next day. I swear she goes just for the muffins they serve (they are quite tasty). </p>
<p>Oh the insecurities! Don't worry about being the odd one out- There are bound to be others with/without parents (and also those who are off socializing while their parents mingle in the corners). </p>
<p>I will go with my S for the weekend, because I've never been anywhere near Chicago, and this is a nice an excuse to visit. I'll walk around the campus, see the city, and if there is free booze at the parents' reception, I'll attend (muffins are o.k., but I'd like something stronger). My S does not need a chaperone, and I don't want to waste my time attending a session where a lot of over-anxious parents are asking meaningless questions or bragging about how 'special' their kid is. If that describes the way your parent tends to behave, please, for the sake of the rest of us, get her to stay home. Otherwise, lighten up, and let her enjoy the trip.</p>
<p>In my mind, the more pressing question is not "who should go?" but "when should we/he go?" Does the admitted student event offer the best opportunity to get a feel for the University or would visiting at another time be better? What is your opinon?</p>
<p>They have separate programs for parents and prospective students. They will provide course lists and students can choose from that. The students leave their luggage at Ida Noyes Hall (<a href="http://maps.uchicago.edu/eastquad/idanoyes.html%5B/url%5D">http://maps.uchicago.edu/eastquad/idanoyes.html</a>) and pick it up later when going to a dorm for the overnight. My S found the better classes to sit in on by asking at the dorm. He stayed up until 3 AM with his dorm host going over calculus proofs so he could follow what was going on the next day. The host's roommate invited him to a party and others ran all over the dorm trying to find if anyone was a member of a martial arts club S in which S was interested. It turned out to be a great experience. He sat in on three courses, two of which were quite good, the other kind of a dud (from his perspective). (He recommends sitting in on the Core Greek Thought & Literature course, but believes it is a Tues/Thurs course.)</p>
<p>The admitted student event has lots of programs and such. It's probably a little easier to see/do more on those days because they are running tons of tours and info sessions and such. You'll also more likely get to stay overnight in a house with a group of other admitted students -- which can make it a little easier to meet people (if everyone knows there's a group of prospies in the house often they will take a little time to talk with them, etc.)</p>
<p>Most people seem to bring parents. Most people also seem to stay fairly separate from their parents most of the day.</p>
<p>I live all the way in california, so I have to take at least a 5 hour plane ride just to go to the event. That said, I still would really love to get a feel for the university, and its surrounding community. I have traveled that far before (stopped in Chicago on my way to Washington D.C), but will have to see if sceduling fits. I don't want to see the campus for the first time during orintation (much like my interviewer did)!</p>
<p>While I was not one of those students, I have to say that fanny packs are rather convenient in the right circumstances. Fanny pack and lanyards- quite possibly girls' new best friends.</p>