<p>How exactly does it normally work? Do you bring both your parents and pay for a 1-night stay? How about siblings?</p>
<p>Some students bring their parents, some choose to leave them at home. Although there are information sessions for parents, its more for the students as you meet with your academic adviser and register for Fall classes and such. The information given to them is readily available on the internet and further questions can be easily obtained by calling or emailing the associated department.</p>
<p>You’re welcome to bring as many people as you would like but there really isn’t anything tailored to siblings so most people don’t bring anyone or one or two parents. I’d say most parents OPT to stay at a hotel (i.e. Radisson across the street) otherwise they will end up paying the same amount to stay in a dorm room…</p>
<p>Sample schedule:
<a href=“http://sait.usc.edu/orientation/Upload/Freshman_Schedules_Summer.pdf[/url]”>http://sait.usc.edu/orientation/Upload/Freshman_Schedules_Summer.pdf</a></p>
<p>I highly recommend that parents attend if you can swing it. DH and I went for both sons. SCA, in particular, puts on a thrilling program. Financial aid, empty nest, and campus life presentations – to name a few – are all well done. Plus we bonded with other new parents with whom we remain great friends. So go, if you can!</p>
<p>I also highly recommend having both parents attend orientation. You won’t see much of your kiddo. That’s ok because your days are packed with information. You will meet many other parents and really enjoy the experience. Don’t bring siblings or other relatives. Wear comfy shoes!</p>
<p>Alright. My brother is 7, so I assume he’s gonna have to come along too.</p>
<p>I originally intended to have both my parents come along to orientation with me; however, upon seeing the price, we agreed that it wasnt necessary. </p>
<p>When I had to interview for my Presidential Scholarship via Explore USC, my dad went along for the Explore USC program as well. Will that be sufficient enough to substitute for the lack of attendance at the orientation? I have a feeling they will talk about the same thing anyways, just to a larger crowd. Financial aid, classes, programs, clubs, why USC is awesome, etc.</p>
<p>I don’t think I need to spend $150 per parent plus a hotel room to learn that information.
Or am I wrong and is this orientation session something that shouldn’t be missed?</p>
<p>I would think much of it would be redundant with Explore USC. I’m not sure what is covered at that but the orientation topics of highest interest to me as a parent were campus security and preparedness, and the ins and outs of USC health insurance and the health center. There were plenty of kids at orientation without parents, it’s optional.</p>
<p>I attended both the Scholarship Explore USC and Orientation with my DS. MOST of the parent information was redundant. I still enjoyed being back on campus but it is definitely not necessary for parents to go! Save the $$ to pay for tuition!</p>
<p>I didn’t do Explore with my D, so I found orientation useful-- however, I completely agree that you can find out the information presented on your own. I also enjoyed spending time on the campus and getting to know more about USC, but you can easily save the $$ (especially on 2 parents attending and getting hotel room).</p>
<p>Agree with 2 posts above…I went year before last and paid for me and two teen kids (almost $500 just for orientation) plus the hotel/travel on top of that. Since I had been to campus for the tour and other visits, I had heard everything presented. Had I not been there before I would have found it useful and interesting plus it makes you feel great about your kid going there. So in those cases I would actually recommend it. But in our case, it was pretty much just a really expensive lunch cause the burger and potato salad was pretty much all we got out of the day. But we still had fun. 
Oh, and a USC water bottle.</p>
<p>I am a very overprotective mom living on the east coast. Due to cost and an impending move, we sent our son to orientation last summer by himself. I booked a shuttle for him from the airport (Primetime), and he managed to get registered and settled in to the dorm with no problems. He had a great time and made some new friends he still hangs out with.</p>
<p>At the end of the day, they have to go to college without us. Attending orientation alone actually gave him confidence and made him even more excited about going away to college.</p>