<p>My son is going to pre frosh weekend at Caltech. Neither one of us has ever been to Caltech and there is a good chance he will attend. I would like to see the campus if he is going to spend four years there. Do many parents go? He will be staying in a dorm. Thank you.</p>
<p>I'm not a parent, but I know that Caltech offers a parents' tour during prefrosh weekend, so I guess some parents do come.</p>
<p>Yes, parents can go, but I would plan on dropping off son with his "stuff" if he is overnighting, take the tour and any info sessions for parents, and depart - don't tour with him, and compare notes after the weekend.</p>
<p>Ask this on Caltech board.
I did tour another time, and went to Parents Day this past fall. It was amazing to me to talk 1:1 with Dean, faculty, President, fin aid, etc. You can't beat the personal attention at a small school.
Campus is beautiful, nicest I saw (tho saw very few--only after S admitted). Flowers, water, bridges, outdoor cafes, some Spanish influence, distinctive styles to each building (carvings of muses, or DNA, or computer chip). Dorms right on campus; 1/2 will begin major remodeling this summer. The housing system--think Harry Potter--was a MAJOR draw for S. Picking your roommate decreases problems. S got involved in 2 clubs and research in first term.
I'm trying to be succint, but hope this helps.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your tips. He said my husband and I can go if we don't try to find him during the weekend. Do you think there will be many parent sessions like at MIT?</p>
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"Do you think there will be many parent sessions like at MIT?"
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<p>Other than the bar scene in Star Wars, no.</p>
<p>My suggestion is to call the school. They have always been very helpful</p>
<p>This is from two years ago but it may help. We attended the MIT Pre-Frosh event (should I call it extravaganza?) with our son. There was substantial attention paid to parents. A separate brochure, and invitation, talks, lectures, concerts, etc... </p>
<p>Caltech clearly indicated that pre-frosh weekend was meant for the students. There was a presentation and a tour but that was about it. We decided not to attend for which our son was thankful.</p>
<p>This changed significantly when we dropped him off before frosh-cap and during Parent's Day. As bookworm indicates above, the small size of the school allowed for one-one-chats with basically anybody you wanted to talk to; the president, the deans, faculty and staff, other students. Very reasuring at a time we needed it.</p>
<p>I can also comment on the houses in the event you end up attending. They are unique and special, and a key element in our son's decision to choose Caltech over MIT. Our first reaction when he gave us a tour of his house was basically horror. A year an a half later I am convinced it is one of the most valuable assets Caltech has to offer. Most (not all) the students love them almost to a fault. The loyalty they inspire is amazing. Look beyond the fisical condition of the buildings (which will change in the summer anyway...)</p>
<p>artiesdad, would you mind posting a little about your MIT Pre-Frosh event experience (a.k.a. "Campus Preview Weekend") in the MIT Parents forum (<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=26239%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=26239</a>) so those of us thinking of attending could make a more informed decision? (Our kids are going, but some of us are trying to decide whether or not <em>we</em> will also attend for the parental events.) [Sorry for posting this on the Caltech thread: I tried to send you this request as a PM or email but you are not enabled for either.) Thanks!</p>
<p>Artiesdad, when is Parents Day? Do parents usually go with the students in September?
We live in Michigan and I am a teacher so it will be difficult to take off from school in September. Thanks!</p>