<p>Should a parent attend CPW? My son just decided over the weekend that he will be going to CPW and my first impluse was to say "ok go and have fun but I'm staying home" Now I'm wondering if I should go just to get a better feel for what MIT would be like if he decides on MIT. Until Friday he'd been certain he was going to attend the "other institute of technology". Suddenly he's on the fence and I wonder if it will be easier for him to make his own decision about which school is right for him if I don't go to CPW and then influence him with what I want(which may not at all be what's right for him). I love Boston/Cambridge, but Pasadena?? Thinking about it maybe I just want a trip to Boston! thanks</p>
<p>GO! You'll have a great time. The activities for parents are totally separate from the ones for admitted students, so you won't actually have much contact with him. The one at that "other" school is less geared towards parents, but you might want to go to that one also if you can. I know you don't want to influence him, but it will be easier for him to bounce his feelings off of you if you have some frame of reference for both places.</p>
<p>I second texas137's encouragement to go... if nothing else, you can get to know MIT and meet some parent friends and have a fun little mini-vacation.</p>
<p>Go! I was totally blown away by MIT after CPW last year and both my wife and I left feeling very, very good about sending our child there. We continue to feel good about that descision. You will learn a lot, meet some nice folks, and probably even get to sneak into the North End for dinner one night.</p>
<p>go go go green means go.</p>
<p>My son ended up having a conflict with CPW but my husband almost went without him. We ended up doing all the parent stuff during orientation. I agree with everyone above. And if your son loves it as much as mine he'll end up in Boston. Have fun.</p>
<p>Definitely come! You'll be glad you did. :-)</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for your responses! The decision is made - I'm heading to Cambridge with my son in April(with a promise to him that I won't follow him around or even wave at him if I see him at MIT).</p>
<p>Oaklandmom, we actually saw our son several times during orientation, besides moving his stuff into the dorm. There were several presentations we attended together and he was happy to have a "nice" restaurant meal with us. It may be different at CPW though.</p>
<p>I'd definitely go, but I'd let him go, as you said. It is important for him/her to test living at MIT on their own, but as a parent, you need to see where you're money is going. Plus, there is a ton of FREE FOOD!</p>