<p>Is the Parents' Orientation visit really necessary for parents who have already attended one of the campus visit programs? Office of New Student Programs is encouargaing parents to do the orientation visit even if they have attended a campus visit, but am curious to know if there really was something significant/different presented at the Orientation for parents that justifies the cost of another visit?</p>
<p>Thanks for feedback.</p>
<p>I am interested in any feeback also. I initially declined the opportunity to go to Parent Orientation when my son signed up for his, but after receiving the brochure from the Office of New Student Programs, I’m beginning to second-guess my decision.</p>
<p>My parents didn’t go and it hasn’t been a problem. We did do Campus Day.</p>
<p>Thanks for asking this…the program does sound like we’ve heard it all before.</p>
<p>I have been to U of M twice, once when S was a junior to check out the University and then again in January this year for his audition. I had originally thought that I wasn’t going to attend but am also reconsidering since I received the flyer. If I haven’t been on any of the “official tours”, would you recommend that I attend with my S?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>My experience with Parent Orientation was from a few years ago and we had only been to U Mich for a campus info session (we didn’t have time to come for an admitted student day), so I can’t compare it to that.</p>
<p>Overall, I felt it was a good program and it did give me some useful information that helped me to guide my D when she wasn’t sure what to do. Also, coming from OOS, it gave me a better feel for the school and what to expect as a parent. As I remember, we had the opportunity to ask questions of faculty and students. They had a lot going on for parents and kept us occupied while our students were busy with their orientation. Beyond that, Ann Arbor is a lovely place in the summer and it makes for a nice excuse to get-away.</p>
<p>So, my answer is if it’s not a hardship to go and you like getting the feel of what to expect for your student’s first year…you should go. Many parents do attend and my D was glad I went. But if it is difficult to go, don’t worry…U Mich is very good about mailing lots of info, so it will be fine either way.</p>
<p>I feel like one campus info session, be it parent orientation or campus day or something, is probably a good idea just to help you feel like you know what’s going on-- but if you researched the school you are probably not going to hear anything new.</p>
<p>I disagree – I definitely “learned something new” at parent’s orientation, despite three prior visits including an admitted student’s day. In the workbook session where they discuss campus resources, parental experiences, things to watch for etc. was very helpful to me in giving my son support throughout the year. The tour itself would be redundant, but it doesn’t hurt to get to know the campus.
Again, it’s not necessarily essential, particularly if it would cause some kind of hardship, and indeed, there are redundant parts that you can opt out of. But there is new material covered.</p>