<p>We will be flying in, and with all the fees the university is charging things add up pretty fast. The earliest we can land at LAX is 9am, which means that we will probably not be on campus before 11am if we want to minimize the gouging... err, fees. </p>
<p>Here is my take:
1) Breakfast - blah
2) Walking tour - been there done that
3) Student life discussions - sounds like fluff
4) Academic expectations - ?!?!</p>
<p>to be honest, most of orientation is pretty unnecessary. The only biggie is registering for classes. However, a big perk of orientation is meeting new people. I still pass by random people and go like hey! i met you at orientation! But alot of the lectures are just fluff, but they do make some valid points, like if you want to make the most of your college life, get to know professors, and things like that.</p>
<p>Yeah, I figure as much, There is marginal value for students, close to zero value for parents except as support for the student. By the time you add up all the expenses, it is a couple of k$ flushed down the drain.</p>
<p>Lets try not to be so pessmistic about everything at USC. There is a reason for orientation- it allows you to learn how to be a student at USC. You get some important information about the coming year that will help you adapt more effectively. You will be placed in a specific group of people with an advisor to help you learn more about USC, as a student, and also make new friends. The walking tour is with this group of people, and is tailored to be about actual life at the university, instead of the promotional talk you got before you were admitted. You will get your USCard, which will make your life way easier during move in week. Registration, of course, is the most important aspect. You will make class decisions that will greatly affect your first year at college. </p>
<p>I'd ask a parent like cc411 to talk about the parent side of things. My mom didn't really feel that the experiences were essential to her, but they did reassure her, and helped her to learn more about the university that she would be sending so much money to and that would be supporting her daughter over the next four years.</p>
<p>I don't plan on attending but I think it's important for my daughter to attend. She's already met a few students at ExploreUSC day and that is a big plus to know some students before she's actually moving to the campus freshman year.</p>
<p>Personally, I can't get enough info. I thoroughly enjoyed Orientation both times I attended with my two sons. There is so little time I have left to be involved to this extent in my kids' lives, so I enjoy every session and morsel of information. Yes, some of it is tedious, repetitive, fluff, etc. But there is always something new. Most importantly, I think it shows your kid that this is an important step in his or her life that you are supporting 100%. </p>
<p>That being said, I can understand why some parents would like to skip some of the sessions (some is pretty boring!) I just agree with Nikara that it is better for parents to present optimistic attitudes about this kind of stuff. There are going to be more orientation-type meetings for the students after move-in. I think if parents show how to be mature and patient through those presentations, there is a better chance that the students will pick up essential information.</p>
<p>If your parents want tickets for the October Parent's Weekend football game, it's a good idea to buy them during Orientation. Last fall they were sold out before move-in day in August.</p>
<p>Like cc411, I am a parent who appreciates all the info I can get (and I like meeting other new USC parents) but we are local to LA which makes it easy to attend. I am sure the kids coming from out of town will be fine if they come on their own. It's a great step forward--planning your college schedule and meeting new friends.</p>
<p>^ Same here, I like attending all these events and it's nice to have the opportunity to meet other parents as well. We are also local so it's a lot easier for us than for out of town parents. I'm also lucky that I can go home overnight (though the traffic is a pain the next morning).
I also like to see my D get enthusiastic, and like to be involved in her impressions and plans, and to feel a sort of connection to this whole thing as it's going to be a bit of an adjustment not to have her home anymore.</p>