Vandy Family Weekend

vandyswim
Sat, 07 Jun 2014 20:44:52 +0000

Whether to go to Family Weekend is a tough choice. Pros for going include tons of kids in each dorm in Commons are going to have their family there, and its hard to be the kid without anyone there. Second, there’s a football game, great camaraderie, and a lot of events if you want to take advantage of them. (You can certainly pick and choose what you wish to participate in.)
Cons for going that weekend include very high hotel rates, lots of people on campus and around town, and its hard to get a good dinner reservation. Restaurants are crowded, bookstore is crowded, etc.

Some people have better success going another weekend (there are plenty of home football games to choose from) and spending a less expensive, quieter weekend with their child.

I would recommend you talk it over with your student, think about their temperment about being left alone on a heavily visited weekend and make a decision. We had decided not to go, then at the last minute went anyway. We stayed further out (Brentwood Marriott Courtyard is great) and did not obsess about going to super nice restaurants near the school. At the end of the weekend, our D said, " I am so glad you came, I would have been very sad to see all the parents here and be alone."

BTW, I think this is a freshman, possibly sophomore problem. By the time they are juniors, they are so busy that they will probably give you a schedule of weekends they could see you or other family/friends.