<p>I'm the parent of a freshman with a large extended family who was planning to visit on Family Weekend. I had no idea I needed to register (or to pay) to go to Family Weekend. Most of the events I might have been interested in are already sold out, but our focus was more on showing the relatives the campus and visiting with our freshman.</p>
<p>I don't want to be gauche or a cheapskate, but do I need to sign my extended family up if we just want to visit our freshman, walk around campus a bit, see the dorm and take him out to dinner? Am I totally out of place thinking that eight of us could do this?</p>
<p>It won't be a problem at all. I had a situation last year when I did not think I would be able to make it for parents weekend. It turned out that I could make it, and did. Not a problem. You will miss the pay events but the place is crawling with lost looking, smiling, proud parents and relatives. You will feel totally comfortable. Go and enjoy it.</p>
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we just want to visit our freshman, walk around campus a bit, see the dorm and take him out to dinner?
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I attended last year and did this exact same thing without being signed up. As long as you don't have your heart set on any of the restricted events (lunch w/ a nobel prize winner, etc), it won't be a problem. There were some events, like the campus tour, we were able to just walk into w/o being signed up for anything.</p>
<p>Will there be parking, free or otherwise, anywhere near MIT during Family Weekend? We will be bringing elderly relatives who certainly cannot walk from the T stations. Parking availability during CPW was great, but parking during the move-in days was limited (20 minutes with flashers on), so I am somewhat concerned.</p>
<p>How will the parents identify each other at the Parent's weekend? I think mootmom mentioned putting cc idnames on the issued nametags? Just trying to figure out how I can meet some people face to face after chatting online over the months and, in some cases, a couple of years. :)</p>
<p>enfall, there's a parking lot at the corner of Vassar and Mass Ave which has $8 parking for the day, and is left open at night and on weekends (= free :D).</p>
<p>I am under the impression that a few of the lots are left open on Parents' Weekend, but I am not sure if that's true or not. Of course, there's always parking on Memorial Drive if you're willing to look hard enough.</p>
<p>hsmom, I'm adding mootmom and **leftcoast mom<a href="which%20I%20use%20on%20the%20Admissions%20blogs">/B</a> to the bottom of my nametag on colorful mini-stickies. I'm sure to see you there!</p>
<p>mootmom, Sounds good. I will put hsmom and AnotherMom (my admissions blog ID) on a tag. I'll make one here before I leave.</p>
<p>molliebatmit - will you be around for Family Weekend? I know you go to that "other" school now but it would be so wonderful to meet you in person. :)</p>