@madbean , Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE the hoopla. I would really love to go, especially since my husband got to bask in most of the schmoozing the last time when #2 son was welcomed. But it is just an unnecessary expense at this point. If I were within driving distance, of course I would go. But, since I have to fly, I can’t justify it. Really impressive, though, that they will comp half my son’s flight. That is so cool. And, yes, there is NOTHING like a USC event for welcoming parents. I remember when I graduated from USC in 1991, my dad called the event “underwhelming”, MY, how things have changed over the last 20+ years! Graduation day was impressive! No one rolls out the red carpet like USC.