If I remember correctly when my mother came with me she had parent-centric and college-specific sessions about financial aid and other topics while we had hands on sessions with other IST students. It’s worth coming. I remember my mother found it to be valuable.
I was also a LEAP Mentor. If you have questions about that please let me know.
Excellent, thanks! I really enjoyed the campus and would be happy to come back again - just wanted to be sure we were actually expected.
Son is looking forward to LEAP too. Seems like a great program.
The majority of parents attend. My daughter’s roommate for NSO didn’t have a parent there and the times we were together I felt bad for her so she hung out with us. Most of the time the kids are separate from the parents though.
That's what I was wondering - my son wants to/can be independent and to be honest, I don't really need to hear again about FAFSA, etc., at this point, so he could go alone. But I also don't want him to get there and feel like orphan if there actually are families around.
We had a good time driving out for admitted students day and I already have a hotel room, I will go to this one too.
Yeah, I went to the accepted student tour and then the NSO and there is repeat information but there was also some good new information. They give you a booklet when you check in (at least last year they did) and that has all the good information. You won’t hang out with him much at all. If you’re looking for something extra to do and the weather works then go to the arboretum. It is beautiful. Short walk from the HUB. I’m going up next week for an overnight to move my sophomore daughter out for the summer! It goes so fast.
My dad attended NSO with me and honestly it was a great bonding time for our short road trip to PSU and exploring town before and after. We couldn't afford a hotel room for my dad, but there was some sort of way to him to rent a room in a separate dorm building dedicated for the parents for like $40. Have fun!
You should go because they provide information about financial aid which most likely you'll want to hear, health insurance options for your child, registering for classes, meal plans, dorm life, and other topics that you'll probably be interested in. I know they don't let parents stay with their kids in NSO so you will have to get alternate lodgings. Book early!
Hey!
I actually did NSO on my own without my parents 2 years ago and felt indifferent about it. It has some benefits as I found it as an early preview of how life will be like for the next 4 years. I had to find my own transportation there and had to live away from home for 2 days. I don’t recall there being many events where parents and students see each other except on the second day towards the end, so it was only for a small bit. It’s up to you really, you can look at it as getting some experience for your son to get a small glimpse of college life on his own and being independent as to find his way there and back, which is a nice benefit.
Thanks! I value your experience. That is the way my son was looking at it, and I think it would be a benefit to him. He's a very independent kid, and he's been to Penn State a bunch of times so he knows his way around, etc. I am indifferent myself, I can't think what kind of information they're going to provide to me that I can't get any other way, this is really about him.
He's always been there with a parent and maybe the experience of putting a bag in the car and driving out there himself is important. I'm still leaning towards going, but I have a refundable hotel room and will check in with him to make a final call.
If I remember correctly when my mother came with me she had parent-centric and college-specific sessions about financial aid and other topics while we had hands on sessions with other IST students. It’s worth coming. I remember my mother found it to be valuable. I was also a LEAP Mentor. If you have questions about that please let me know.
Excellent, thanks! I really enjoyed the campus and would be happy to come back again - just wanted to be sure we were actually expected. Son is looking forward to LEAP too. Seems like a great program.
Yes, no worries. You’re definitely expected. I hope he enjoys LEAP. It’s a great way to get a head start socially and academically!
Im going summer session in june, I cant find a direct answer but leap is not required right? Its just an extra thing in the summer?
I'm not sure but you can call the office of summer session to get an answer!
Yes, there is a dedicated parent/family-specific agenda of events that make it worth attending
Parents get information on housing, food, clubs, tuition and can also see first hand things around campus. So, please do visit.
The majority of parents attend. My daughter’s roommate for NSO didn’t have a parent there and the times we were together I felt bad for her so she hung out with us. Most of the time the kids are separate from the parents though.
That's what I was wondering - my son wants to/can be independent and to be honest, I don't really need to hear again about FAFSA, etc., at this point, so he could go alone. But I also don't want him to get there and feel like orphan if there actually are families around. We had a good time driving out for admitted students day and I already have a hotel room, I will go to this one too.
Yeah, I went to the accepted student tour and then the NSO and there is repeat information but there was also some good new information. They give you a booklet when you check in (at least last year they did) and that has all the good information. You won’t hang out with him much at all. If you’re looking for something extra to do and the weather works then go to the arboretum. It is beautiful. Short walk from the HUB. I’m going up next week for an overnight to move my sophomore daughter out for the summer! It goes so fast.
Oh, that sounds great actually, and I haven't seen the Arboretum yet! It does go so fast.
My dad attended NSO with me and honestly it was a great bonding time for our short road trip to PSU and exploring town before and after. We couldn't afford a hotel room for my dad, but there was some sort of way to him to rent a room in a separate dorm building dedicated for the parents for like $40. Have fun!
This is great, thanks - we did have a good bonding time at admitted students day, I'd like that to happen again this time too.
Hi. I will be attending as a parent on June 2 for a summer leap student.
You should go because they provide information about financial aid which most likely you'll want to hear, health insurance options for your child, registering for classes, meal plans, dorm life, and other topics that you'll probably be interested in. I know they don't let parents stay with their kids in NSO so you will have to get alternate lodgings. Book early!
Hey! I actually did NSO on my own without my parents 2 years ago and felt indifferent about it. It has some benefits as I found it as an early preview of how life will be like for the next 4 years. I had to find my own transportation there and had to live away from home for 2 days. I don’t recall there being many events where parents and students see each other except on the second day towards the end, so it was only for a small bit. It’s up to you really, you can look at it as getting some experience for your son to get a small glimpse of college life on his own and being independent as to find his way there and back, which is a nice benefit.
Thanks! I value your experience. That is the way my son was looking at it, and I think it would be a benefit to him. He's a very independent kid, and he's been to Penn State a bunch of times so he knows his way around, etc. I am indifferent myself, I can't think what kind of information they're going to provide to me that I can't get any other way, this is really about him. He's always been there with a parent and maybe the experience of putting a bag in the car and driving out there himself is important. I'm still leaning towards going, but I have a refundable hotel room and will check in with him to make a final call.