<p>Older D is graduating in May from Arts & Sciences. There is an Arts & Sciences Recognition Ceremony on the morning of May 19th and then an All University Commencement Ceremony on the morning of May 20th. Do most families attend both these days? Since we come from the Northeast, this makes graduation a 3 day affair. I'd love to hear from anyone with experience with Graduation.</p>
<p>My son graduated from the engineering school last May. We attended both the engineering ceremony and the all university ceremony. The engineering ceremony was nice because it was smaller and each graduate walked across the stage and had his or her name read. The all university ceremony is held outside in the quad. It was a very nice ceremony but not as personal. I’m glad we went to both.</p>
<p>How far in advance do you need to make reservations for graduation-if you want to stay in Clayton?</p>
<p>Believe it or not, I booked the Sheraton in Clayton a year ahead for Graduation this May! I’m not sure whether it’s already too late to find a decent room in Clayton for graduation 2011, but if you are a parent of a current Junior or younger, I would book as early as possible. The chain hotels generally have a fairly liberal cancellation policy, so you have nothing to lose by booking early.</p>
<p>Try the Hilton suites by the Galleria. The Sheraton in Clayton is overrated, I’m not sure why everyone always thinks that’s the place to stay.</p>
<p>What about the Homewood Suites in Richmond Heights?</p>
<p>My bad, that’s the same as the Hilton near the Galleria.</p>
<p>I second the Hilton Suites. It is new and still close to campus. I’ve stayed at the Sheraton in Clayton numerous time but they really jack their rates up for graduation. </p>
<p>I waited a bit too long to make reservations last year and ended up at the Hilton in Frontenac. It was ok but I hadn’t counted on having to fight rush hour traffic to get to the graduation ceremony. Not good planning</p>
<p>Nervous1 - We plan to arrive on Wednesday evening so we can attend the A & S ceremony on Thursday and the all school graduation on Friday morning. Luckily I was able to get a room at the Knight Center on Campus for graduation. Their rate is also higher than their regular rate, but not nearly at high as the Sheraton in Clayton (where we have also stayed during visits) and it is just so convenient.</p>
<p>We are also planning to have dinners at restaurants that take reservations as I have heard that is also a zoo with so many people in the area for graduation.</p>
<p>Thanks! We’ve also decided to come in Wednesday evening and stay through Friday. Thanks for the advice about restaurants. I suppose we should be making reservations for those too. See you in St. Louis!</p>