<p>We are trying to decide whether or not to attend the August Orientation with our son (who will first do an FPOP). We've already been to CPW and it seems the Orientation schedule is very similar. Also, although he'll already be in a dorm room for the FPOP, it's apparently a "temp room" so he'll move a week or two later.</p>
<p>It seems like a better alternative is to come on Labor Day weekend, and help him move into his permanent dorm room.</p>
<p>Any thoughts (parents, students) on which would be better? Is it a mistake to miss Orientation?</p>
<p>My daughter did an FPOP last August, and I flew with her to MIT and helped lug her stuff to her temp room. I don't think you'll need to come back on Labor Day weekend to help your son move, because all of the fraternities pitch in and help freshmen relocate to their permanent rooms. If you've been to CPW but still want an opportunity to come back to campus and see your son in his permanent room, why not come back during Parents' Weekend? This year it will be held from Friday October 17 through the 19th: MIT</a> Family Weekend</p>
<p>My feeling is that parent orientation is mostly hand-holding. :) I agree with CalAlum that the family weekend in October will be more fun to attend.</p>
<p>i went up for orientation by myself, with only a suitcase of clothes for the week, and then on labor day weekend my parents drove up with the rest of my things and helped me put them in my permanent room. it worked great for me - there was minimal moving of things involved, and i don't think they missed very much, and by coming up on labor day they still got to see the ec rush projects in the courtyard, which was all i wanted to show them anyway.</p>
<p>I agree with CalAlum and molliebatmit - but my parents came once I had my final room assignment (mainly to drop off the rest of my stuff ^_^) and I wasn't permanently scarred. (I think. :D) Part of the reason for that decision was that they couldn't attend Parents' Weekend, though.</p>
<p>I agree with neuron. Sending your son/daughter to MIT alone for fpop / orientation / dorm rush with minimal baggage makes sense. So does meeting up with your child after room assignments are permanent (over labor day weekend) to bring/buy whatever else they may need. The formal parental activities during orientation appear to me at least to be a waste of time.</p>