Visiting on Parents’ Weekend vs. Visiting Any Other Time
While the built-in to-dos can be significant pluses to visiting during Parents’ Weekend, there are some definite minuses as well. Like on move-in day, there will be many more people on and trying to get to the campus, meaning long lines, traffic jams and the like. The school will also look much different than it will during other times of the year because administrators have gone through a lot of trouble to make sure everything is in tip-top shape to impress parents and alumni in attendance. Lastly, it may be harder to catch up with your child with everything else going on…and isn’t that the main purpose of your visit?
Visiting on a different weekend – or a random Tuesday, if schedules permit – will be an entirely different experience. If your child is living at a school where half the student body commutes and you visit on the weekend, the campus will be far less congested and you will be able to talk, eat and see the sights with ease. Weekday visits can also be interesting because you’ll see the true definition of campus life come alive before your eyes. Just be sure your child isn’t skipping classes to show you around!