chromaxome113

I of course know students are required to go to Orientation, and I am looking forward to it, but it will mean that my parents will have to make two trips to Ann Arbor that I don't know they can particularly afford. Is family orientation entirely necessary? Will they learn anything they can't simply learn online, or is it simply supposed to be reassurances and the like for doting parents?

rockbiter

Parent orientation is geared for more first time college student parents. It is to familiarize them to the university and how things go; it also acts a huge reassurance for families who get "bird flies out of the nest" syndrome. If your parents are able to read everything online and can find all the information they need via internet, calling the university, etc. without stepping foot on campus, then they should be fine. Parent orientation is for those parents that don't necessary comprehend what they read online, want a university representative talking about it, those who want to listen rather than read, etc.

momofthreeboys

If your parents are going to help you move in they will have the opportunity to explore the campus and A2 to get a sense of where you are going to be for the next several years. But it is not essential to go to a special parent orientation -- as rockbiter says most everything is on-line these days.

res ipsa

Parent orientation is not necessary but it was fun to go to. I think they may offer a parent orientation right before school starts - I am not sure.