<p>My daughter is planning on attending orientation with a friend and her family. They are excited that they can make the trip together. Now I'm torn about whether to go. My daughter suggested I skip it and spend the money the trip would cost me on new clothes for her :) </p>
<p>What will I be missing if I don't go? Will I be at a disadvantage (or cause her to be) if I don't go?</p>
<p>I am doing the same thing. After reading the parent itinerary, I decided not to go. Sounded interesting but not a must-do and all these flight and hotel costs are starting to rack up! The orientation for the student is also optional so she is flying solo - no pun intended. When we went for DT two weeks ago, I had my D take me through the airport, etc. so I was sure she could do it on her own. I’m a little nervous still about it…she is not which is great. Am hoping that as the date gets closer, some of her Tulane facebook friends will be able to ride over to the school together from the airport.</p>
<p>Have you had a chance to look at the parent itinerary?</p>
<p>I did look at the itinerary. I didn’t see anything that appeared critical. I don’t feel the need for another tour. I feel pretty comfortable with the curriculum.</p>
<p>I wish that I had a better idea about which meal plan would be best (but I doubt orientation would help me out much with that). And I’d really like to measure the dorm rooms and get a feel for what my daughter will have room for, storage possibilities, etc. Somehow, that doesn’t seem like justification for lodging expense for two (maybe three) nights.</p>
<p>I’m just afraid I’ll miss something that I’ll wish later I had known.</p>
<p>I bet you’re right about facebook friends at the airport! Hasn’t that been a great way for our kids to connect with other students heading to Tulane.</p>
<p>Our plan is to buy everything she needs down there so we don’t have the expense of shipping or carry-on/checked baggage. Once we get her room, since some rooms in the same dorm can even vary, we’ll measure if needed then shop. Minus the clothing, all that other stuff will probably be cheaper at the local Walmart or Bed Bath and Beyond (with coupons) vs shipping. We’re just planning on renting a car for move-in. </p>
<p>Regarding BB&B, I just got off the phone with the New Orleans location (There are several, but the Metairie, LA store is the destination store for NOLA - 504-454-6930) to find out how you go about purchasing items at home and picking up at local store - I’ve heard about this through friends with kids already in college. You go to your local store and create what is called a Pack & Hold which is a registry, much like you’d do for a bridal or baby shower. You then basically walk around the store with a scanner and the items you scan will be ready for your pickup on the date you request when you arrive at the destination store. Easy as that. You pay when you get there and are not bound to any of the items, so if you change your mind or find that something won’t fit, you don’t have to purchase. You can also use up to 5 of their coupons (expired or not) in one transaction so start collecting if you haven’t already. If for some reason the item you scan locally is not available in NOLA, they will make arrangements to transfer stock to that location. There is no fee for any of this.</p>
<p>What a great idea! We will be driving (from Arkansas so the drive isn’t a problem) but it would be more practical to buy for the room once we are there.</p>
<p>You can use expired coupons! Gotta love that.</p>
<p>nj mom- That’s a great idea. Didn’t know BB&B did that. I’ve already scoped out the Target location in Metarie too (Clearview Mall, I-10 at exit 226). I, too, am planning to fly (from south FL) and just send clothing/personal items with D in suitcase. The rest we will get there. I was hoping for a Costco too, but it looks like the nearest one is in Houston. I get coupons from BB&B all the time and most don’t get used. I think I will send D to the June orientation alone as I’ve already taken too much time off of work with college trips lately. Nothing in the parent schedule looks that compelling.</p>
<p>Just be aware that at least by the time we got to that Target on Saturday evening, it was pretty well cleaned out. And with this incoming class being so large (yay?!?!), careful planning is going to be even more important. Not to be trivializing every $$ that can be saved, but there is a lot of merit to thinking about spending the $50 or so to send a couple of extra large boxes by ground ahead of time compared to what you would spend on a taxi or in gas and the hassle of doing it once you get there. The BB&B program is very good, however. Target should do it too, that would have really helped.</p>
<p>Coming from the Northwest, there is no way to get to New Orleans before very late evening which is why I am attending orientation. Since S will need to spend the first night in a hotel, I am not sure that is even feasible for an 18 yr old traveling alone. In any case, he is not quite ready to handle that alone. Once he has a dorm room to come to, I will feel better about it.</p>