<p>We are booking flights and hotel rooms for orientation in June, and we’re trying to decide if both parents need to go. </p>
<p>Any insights from experienced parents and students? </p>
<p>What’s the risk of both not going? </p>
<p>What’s the benefit of both of us going? </p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>I worked at Orientation for a summer—I would definitely only send one parent if it will save the money a flight will cost. Mostly just informational sessions, they’ll give you packets too so the other can read.</p>
<p>Really, it’s only imperative that the student goes. I don’t think my Mom learned anything super important</p>
<p>Thanks much. </p>
<p>Yes, flights aren’t too cheap & there’s a younger sibling at home</p>
<p>No problem, let me know if you have other questions about orientation! </p>
<p>Here is a general schedule [Ohio</a> State Orientation](<a href=“Page not found | University Orientation | The Ohio State University”>Page not found | University Orientation | The Ohio State University)</p>
<p>I agree with the previous posters. Only one parent needs to attend orientation. I am the parent of a current OSU sophmore and a soon to be freshman. The most important thing that occurs at orientation is the scheduling of classes and placement testing both of which require no parent presence. The parent sessions are highly informative (and enjoyable) but most of the information can be found in the written materials. That being said,I highly recommend that the Parents and Sibling event held each Fall for you to visit and have an OSU family experience with sessions tailored for parents and younger sibs. The airlines have not been cooperative lately and that’s why my younger son and I will be on the road ten hours next week on our way to Columbus for a Scholars visit. Hopefully, you can booksome flights early and enjoy OSU as a family once your student settles in a routine fall semester.</p>
<p>If you have any questions that require an out of state or parent’s perspective, feel free to pm us. Neither my husband nor I attended OSU but we couldn’t be happier with our sons’ choice of college and the so many opportunities it offers to young people. </p>
<p>Go Bucks!</p>
<p>Dustysmom</p>
<p>As another OOS parent, thanks for the insight! I sent you a PM with a few more OOS type questions too! :)</p>
<p>I am also an OOS parent - 1 son graduated in March and 1 is a freshman. I really enjoyed orientation and agree that only 1 parent needs to attend. Just a warning - you are separated from your child a LOT since they really put the responsibilities on the student. It’s all good and you’ll have a nice lunch with all of the other parents. I highly recommend that you strike up conversations and meet people.</p>
<p>The strange time is at night when the students have their own activities and stay in the dorm. It’s the perfect time to give them their space and let them meet other students. So you may find yourself on your own for dinner and for the evening, so bring a good book!</p>
<p>A few pieces of advice:
<p>I’m also happy to answer any OOS parent questions too! My husband and I met at OSU and never dreamed that our first 2 kids would choose to go there LOL! Now, what will #3 decide??</p>
<p>I have a soph. and agree that a parent should go to orientation especially if out of state. You really are separate from your child but OSU does a good job of organizing the program. I found the materials they give us in a binder very helpful. If you are not going to stay in the dorms (which I think parents should not) then be sure to book your hotel asap since they then to fill up. Also if you are going to be dropping off your student in the fall besure to book that hotel too. Use the time to wander campus and High Street. There is a lot to see.</p>
<p>Dustysmom - thanks, and maybe we’ll see you next week. I’ll be there with my son (we’re using points to fly instead of 13 hours on the road) next week for the Honors orientation, which I assume is the same as Scholars. </p>
<p>Thanks everyone else also. We feel much more comfortable going that route, and really appreciate the additional input on what to expect.</p>