<p>Do parents usually go to the transfer orientation for McCombs or is it all just students?</p>
<p>My dad is. If your parents are going to be paying for it or are a big part of you going, it’d be a lot easier for you all to get on the same page. And if you need to talk to financial aid or the registrar and need your parents, they’re right there.</p>
<p>Nah, my mom didn’t really think it was necessary. It’s always extremely hot and I figured I could just fill her in on the deets myself. If you’re over 18 you usually don’t need a parent to be present.</p>
<p>We’re going. But we’ll figure out which issues might need our assistance and which won’t. We’ll try to leave our son on his own as much as possible. He’s laid back and really doesn’t care. (Our daughter would have sent us packing.) Plus, he’s stayed at Jester for couple of events over the last couple of years, so he’s been there-done that…he’d rather stay at the hotel with us.</p>
<p>Also, we have family in Austin, so we’ll be visiting them evenings. It’s twofer trip for us.</p>
<p>Just noticed this is a transfer orientation question. Sorry about that. We have a freshman.</p>
<p>Unless they just particularly want to, I would say it’s not necessary.</p>
<p>When y’all went to orientation, did most kids have their parents?</p>
<p>Yeah, I wanted to bring a friend of mine who’s coming up to Austin with me to orientation. Has anyone called and ask if we’re allowed to bring someone with us?</p>
<p>No I never considered that…but that would have been awesome!!! I know everyone has to wear nametags though and some of the sit through stuff is a little tedious but I woulda loved to bring a friend!</p>
<p>We just got back from the Family Orientation. It lasts only the first day of each orientation session. After you leave your student in the check-in line early in the morning, you won’t see them until the family barbecue at 5 p.m. It’s deliberately set up that way, I think. In fact, the recurrent theme throughout the various parent presentations was, parents, you have to let go of your kid. Be supportive, but let them live their own life and make their own choices. When the barbecue is over at 6 p.m., the parents are expected to leave and not come back until orientation is over. We saw first-hand why this is necessary: at one presentation by some very articulate staff–which included the “no helicopter parenting” message repeatedly and at length–numerous parents raised their hands and asked, basically, how they could micromanage their kid’s college experience in various ways. I myself needed to hear the speech about letting them choose their own major. </p>
<p>All in all, I am glad we went. It was a bit tedious at times, and not well organized as far as leaving sufficient time in between sessions, but I did learn some valuable information. Do wear comfortable shoes and cool clothing (it was well over 100 degrees when we were there, and there is a fair amount of walking around outside).</p>
<p>When I went, the first day was “Parent Orientation” for your respective schools. The students do their own things with orientation advisors/guides, and the parents meet the dean, learn about the school, etc.</p>
<p>I would recommend your parents going to the parent orientation.</p>
<p>Most students had their parent either to drop them off or stay for parent orientation.</p>