Key takeaways:
- Some colleges offer parent orientation, which highlights valuable information for parents to help their students make the most of their college experience.
- Sessions during orientation can cover financial aid, campus life, health and safety, academics, and more.
- Parents can sign up for their orientation online, through the student’s college portal.
Flickr user CSU Monterey Bay
Colleges usually require incoming students to attend an orientation before their first semester, so the students can get introduced to college life, sign up for classes, and more. But did you know that many colleges and universities also offer parent orientation? It’s an opportunity for you to learn more about supporting your child over the next four years. Experiences vary depending on the school, but here’s a quick overview of what you can expect at parent orientation, how to sign up, and other must-know info.
What Is Parent Orientation?
Parent orientation, also sometimes known as family orientation, is a chance for parents to get to know the college their student chose to go to and how best to support them during their college education. It’s completely optional, but it’ll generally cover must-know information, advice for finances, campus tours, and more. Most colleges and universities offer some form of student orientation, but not all have parent orientation.
Orientations are only available before the student’s first year. If they’re attending in the fall, you can expect a summer orientation. It’ll usually be scheduled at the same time as the student’s and for the same length. Some schools have one day orientation while others last three days.
However, for the most part, your experience won’t be the same as your student’s. Student orientation helps them get acclimated to the campus, choose courses, and make friends, while parent orientation focuses on how parents can help their child succeed in college.
What Happens at Parent Orientation?
Parent orientation experiences can vary widely. Here’s a look at what some example topics the school could cover:
- Financial aid and costs: You’ll learn about how to pay tuition, what’s included in the cost, and how financial aid is disbursed.
- Campus life: Parents have an opportunity to explore various aspects of the campus, including housing, meals, clubs, sports, and facilities, such as labs or libraries. Many orientations also go into explaining the surrounding area.
- Health and safety: Parents are naturally concerned about their child’s wellbeing while away at college. The school details resources, including the health center and police department.
- Academics: These sessions cover how to choose a major, graduation requirements, how to support your student, and various academic resources for both you and your child.
Parents are invited to ask questions. Your orientation might also include campus tours, events to meet other parents, and local recommendations. Usually, you’ll only see your child during mealtimes (if they’re not hanging out with their new friends, that is!).
How Do You Sign Up for Parent Orientation?
In most cases, you can sign up for parent orientation through your student’s college portal. Spots are limited so be sure to register as soon as possible, especially if it’s after May 1.
Parent orientation is rarely free, and you’ll likely have to pay extra if you want to eat or stay on campus. However, not all colleges allow parents or family members to stay overnight on campus, so you’ll have to get a hotel room.
Do’s and Don’ts of Parent Orientation
Parent orientation experiences differ from school to school, but there are a few do’s and don’ts you’ll want to be aware of before you register.
- DO stick to the schedule. Colleges will have a schedule set up for the parents. While you might want to stray to explore, missing sessions means missing out on valuable information.
- DO take notes. Orientations cover a lot of information quickly. Take notes to help you retain it. If possible, write down the size of the dorm rooms to help your child decide what to pack.
- DO ask questions. This is your introduction to the school just as much as it is your child’s! Do your research beforehand to see if you can find the answers to your questions online, and make a list of any you still have. However…
- DON’T take all of the staff’s time. It’s all too easy to ask several follow-up questions or get highly specific to your student’s unique situation. Don’t hog the floor. If you have a lot of specific concerns, ask the tour guide who you can reach out to for more information at a later date.
- DON’T follow your child. This ties into sticking to the parents’ schedule, but don’t try to tag along on your student’s orientation. You likely won’t be allowed anyway, but orientation is a chance for them to start experiencing college life and to make friends. It’ll be more difficult if you’re following them.
- DON’T bombard your kid after orientation. Your child is going to be excited to tell you about their orientation. Let them tell you about their experience first before dropping all the information you learned.
Should You Go to Parent Orientation?
If possible, you should try to go to parent orientation. It’s a unique opportunity for you to learn more about what your child’s experience will be like and how you can support them over the next four years. Parent (and student) orientations are only offered prior to the student’s first year of college, so if you skip it, you won’t get another shot.
If you can’t make parent orientation, the school may also have Parent’s Night or a Family Weekend during the fall semester. Although it won’t cover the same information, it’s still a great way to experience the college with your student.
Colleges usually require students to make their decision on whether they’re attending the school by May 1. It’s a good idea to sign up for student and parent orientation shortly after or even before this date. If your child hasn’t made a decision yet, using College Match can help them compare their options.
