My wife and I just returned from Parent Orientation. We are OOS and initially did not plan to attend. We had been on campus in April for an admitted student day and will be back in September to move S2 into his dorm. However, we decided to tag along with S2 and enjoy a few days in Ann Arbor and away from work. What a great decision. Both student and parent orientations were well organized, well run and informative. The campus was active, despite it being ‘low season.’ The Ann Arbor Summer Festival is in full gear, offering great food and entertainment. We came away even more impressed with the university, the campus, university, academic advisors, curriculum, Ann Arbor, etc. and are so overjoyed our S2 will be spending the next four years at the University of Michigan. For us, it was a great decision to attend Parent Orientation and reinforced why we fully support our sons decision to attend Michigan. Of course, he now is a little concerned we may choose to visit him more than he would ever expect…or want! Go Blue!
It is the restaurant week this week. I hope you had a chance to try out those local restaurants with great offers.
Haha…were you in the group that started Monday the 22nd? If so, I was in the room with you.
Very good program. We’re OOS as well, though I’m an alum. We enjoyed the break as well.
@billcsho … Yes, perfect timing. We love food and ate dinner at Mani Osteria, Mezzevino and lunch at What Crepe and Old Town Tavern… enjoyed them all. My wife poked around the Farmers Market as well. This was our second dinner at Mani Osteria. it was during dinner there in April that our son announced to us that he decided on Michigan.
@TR250Tom … We started on Wednesday 24th… just missed ya.
One other reason I think we enjoyed the visit so much this time was because we were much more relaxed. We had visited twice before, once on our initial visit to campus last August and our second visit in April when S2 was making his college decision. No stress worrying about getting admitted or should I attend. Instead, it was all about enjoying the fact that all the ‘college drama’ was behind us, and we could really enjoy all the university has to offer… in peace!
@halswag15. Completely agree!! I don’t how anyone really enjoys the visits to places like Michigan when you are really not sure if your kid will get in. I was just too unsure about her chances. The admitted students day was -25 below zero so not to conducive to exploring. But the orientation was wonderful. Good sessions ( especially housing) and we had a great time in AA. We are planning to go a few days early before move in just to spend some time in AA.
Summer here is really great (if it is not raining continuously like yesterday), but one should try to avoid the the Art Fair week in July, otherwise, the hotel would be more expensive and it will be full of people everywhere around Ann Arbor.
Yeah, weather was awesome. We did hear about the crowds during Art Fair and scheduled around it. That said, I guess there is no avoiding the crowds Parents Weekend. I have already seen limited availability in accomodations and prices nearly twice what we have been paying.
I wouldn’t recommend visiting Parents weekend myself. The limited info sessions are not too valuable, the date in November is not good and it is indeed somewhat more crowded and expensive than other weekends. Believe me, your freshman student will not be anywhere near the only one without their parents visiting that weekend.
I would advise to go earlier to visit. You should still get to a football game (buy tickets on Stubhub). But pick out your weekend now if you are visiting on a football weekend as the accommodations fill up quickly.
My Ds orientation is next week and we didn’t plan to attend with her. We are sort-of local, and she will be driving with a friend. I’ve toured the campus with her twice and attended the sessions with her for admitted students day in April. What types of new info is shared with parents during orientation? Will I be missing out on a lot?
@MIMomma… We had presentations from representatives from Housing/Residential Life, Financial Aid, Police (Security), Academic Advisors, Health/Counseling, etc. While I was familiar with much of the material, there was a lot more detail provided and definitely new information shared. Specifics on the services available to students from counseling, healthcare and student life. We also sat in on an overview from a representative of the school (LSA) my S2 is attending, detailing school requirements, etc. Many of the presentations are delivered to both students and parents, so your D would be able to share with you. It is not a must to attend, but I did feel I came away with enough new information to feel it was worthwhile.
@wayneandgarth … I appreciate the recommendation and agree. We attended my oldest S Parent Weekend (not Michigan, but school in Northeast) and expereinced exactly what you described. Busy, crowded, expensive and outside of seeing my son, which we could have done another weekend, was disappointing. We will be considering our options and may choose another weekend visit to avoid the madness of Parent Weekend.
Parent Weekend is still nice so I don’t want everyone to be discouraged from going. In a way it is too bad it has to be tied to a football game. Last year it was about two weeks after move in which was crazy for parents with airline tickets over $400 a piece. This year it is on the late side.
@2135ar… Understood and we are considering it. One has to act now though, as hotel rooms are going fast.
As I drove around campus yesterday, there are indeed a lot of people there, almost like during a regular semester.
Hotel rooms do go fast. Although not ideal, keep in mind that the airport is not that far away, and sometimes we stay there when arriving late at night. It isn’t that long a drive to campus so you can stay there if cannot find a room.
Detroit Metro Airport is around 35min driving away when there is no traffic.
Hasn’t seemed to take us that long but we never had traffic. Anyway, it is better to stay in Ann Arbor and you definitely do need to make reservations early. We make ours five to six months early! But if you have trouble finding a room in Ann Arbor but want to go, you will be able to find a hotel somewhere within a fairly reasonable driving distance so still go!
Don’t forget the B&B places around town too.
@billcsho … Any suggestions? I walked by one right off campus… Ann Arbor B&B? …We have been staying in Courtyard Marriott, scoring Marriott points but relying on rental car. I am not sure how easy it will be to get around by car Parent’s Weekend between crowded roadways, limited parking options, etc. Are there any additional shuttle options that weekend?
@halswag15 Try airbnb or something like that. There are plenty around town. You may find a place near AATA or even blue bus stop.