<p>Here's a question for the parents.... are you (or did you) accompany your son/daughter to CI? My son is adament that I not attend... his theory is, "I'm 18, and if I can't go to orientation alone, I have no business going to college". So far, I've indulged him, because NOT going makes my life easier (work, his younger brother, etc.), but I'm reconsidering. It seems everyone says I should go.... except him.</p>
<p>Any thoughts?</p>
<p>My parents didn't go. I didn't feel like it was a huge loss. I got what I needed to get done. Some parents get a lot out of CI. There's scheduled sessions just for the student and scheduled sessions just for the parent. Those are the times you can ask those "parenty" questions that might/might not (most likely might) embarass your son or daughter. Parent services has a session on "letting go." You'll have the opportunity to meet members of the (not sure of the name) parents advisory board. But also note that parents can always call the Office of Parents' Services at any time to get the same information. </p>
<p>When I went to CI, I saw students with parents accompanying them 24/7 and I know of students who only saw their parents around dinner time to debrief the day. Go to the CI website and take a look at the schedule for both parents and students.</p>
<p>Thanks for your help. I think we're ready to let go. Next week will begin his 9th consecutive summer away from home. Not like we haven't done this before. And I don't have a lot of patience for people who ask the obvious (you can get the answers on the website) questions.</p>
<p>I'm glad to know you survived without your parents there.... I figured it was possible!</p>
<p>We attended CI with our D last June. Most students there had a parent in tow. Of the three orientations we have attended for our kids, GW was by far the most informative and the best organized. For most of the time parents and students are on different tracks...and even at opening session students are seated separately with their orientation leaders. But there are times through out each day that parents and students can connect, such as dinner, ice cream breaks etc. There were many useful sessions for parents only that provided lots of information about how things work (GW card, food, computers and ResNet etc) and plenty of opportunity to ask any questions you might have. Staff and administration were very accessable, hands-on and friendly. The info sessions for us helped to make the transition to DC and move-in a lot smoother for my daughter. If your son wants or needs a local bank account, we did that during orientation time as well. D who likes to 'lose the parents every chance she gets' actually seemed happy we were there for once -lol. There is also a program for siblings, called Colonials in Training, ages 8-17 which is pure DC fun from 9 am to 9 pm...don't know if your younger son would be interested in that. Info on that program is on the CI site. Can students negotiate CI alone, most certainly...but it was also fun and helpful for us as parents...and hey with the tuition investment we are making, why shouldn't we enjoy DC for a few days too!</p>
<p>Well, I think I'm losing this argument. he really wants to strike out on his own. But I do have to think about bank accounts. I'd better see what DC & our hometown have in common!</p>
<p>Our 18 year old S is going to CI on his own. This is the way he wants it. He's flying down from Boston, and taking public transportation to GW. Our D just graduated from college, so we're pretty familiar with college life, including the letting go part.</p>
<p>Thank you! You're the first person to agree with me on the "going alone" thing. I feel better now. This is my oldest, but, he's been away every summer since he was 10 -- we're very good at letting go. He wants to do it himself, so we're letting him. Which session is your son going to? Mine is going June 29 - July 2. He is flying from LaGuardia (NY) and taking the Metro, also, which is what he did when he went for his interview (alone). He's as comfortable in DC as he is in NYC.</p>
<p>Our S is going to the CI beginning on 6/21. Sounds like you're doing the right thing with your S, given that he's done this before.</p>
<p>My husband & I are attending CI with our D. It's not that she needs us there. ( She, too, has gone away every summer since she was 10.) I just think there may be some informative meetings we can attend separately and if not my husband & I can enjoy dinner, sightseeing and shopping in the city alone.</p>
<p>I'm going down to CI #1 tomorrow and both my parents are coming. I'm pretty independent as well, and don't necessarily want them there, but they figure that if they're paying $50,000 a year for this school, they may as well see what it's all about.</p>
<p>I looked at the two schedules, and it seems as if the parents and students virtually never see eachother, which is perfectly fine with me. I know my parents are looking forward to the various info sessions scheduled for them, and they actually sound relatively informative (although nothing you couldn't find out on your own if you took the time to research it).</p>
<p>I'll let you know how it goes when I get back next Sunday.</p>