A CPW Entry for Parents by Matt McGann '00

I know there are lots of parent blog readers out there lurking… this entry is for you, and is specifically about CPW (regardless of whether you’ll be there).

For the parents who will be attending CPW

We’re excited to have you as our guests! Here are some (hopefully) helpful hints for the weekend:

• Parent events: Parents have been a part of Campus Preview Weekend since its beginnings, so over the years we’ve honed our parent event offerings based on feedback, requests, and questions. Some of the parent events over the weekend include:
  • The Welcome for Parents: Thursday night at 7:30, things get kicked off. The keynote speaker is Prof. Don Sadoway, who teaches MIT’s most popular freshman chemistry course. He’s great, you’ll love him.
  • Financial Aid and Student Financial Services Session for Parents: Friday afternoon at 1pm, Director of Student Financial Aid Daniel Barkowitz will answer questions and talk about the hows, whys and whens of financial aid at MIT — how we determined your financial aid award, when your supplemental forms are due, how to pay your balance, how to find on-campus student employment, and how your online student account will work.
  • Student Life and Learning Panel for Parents: Friday afternoon at 2pm, there will be a panel of the top student life administrators at MIT: Professor and Dean for Undergraduate Education Daniel Hastings, Director and Head of MIT Medical William Kettyle, Senior Associate Dean of Students Barbara Baker, and Director of Security and Campus Police Services John DiFava.
  • Parent Reception with Parent Connectors and Alumni Association: Friday evening, there is a nice reception with MIT alums and MIT parents.
  • “Insight for Parents by Parents”: First thing Saturday morning, a panel of current MIT parents will be on hand to share their insights and answer your questions.
  • Residential Living Advising Panel for Parents: Saturday morning, you can learn more about MIT’s unique (and very supportive) housing system. Faculty housemasters and residential life administrators will talk about the system and student experiences.

  And while there are no formal Boston/Cambridge tours planned, I’d suggest making some new friends and going out to explore the city yourself. There are lots of great historic sites, restaurants, and shopping — my parents love getting to visit me in Boston.

• The Parent Lounge: I hope you’ll take advantage of the Parent Lounge. The Parent Lounge will be in the Coffeehouse, on the 3rd floor of the Student Center, one floor above CPW Headquarters/check-in. It’s a good place to relax, and to meet other parents. It will be staffed throughout the weekend by the MIT Parents Association who can answer many questions.

• For those driving to campus: I’ve been living in Boston for 12 years now, and I don’t own a car, and for good reason. Getting around on foot or via public transportation in Boston/Cambridge is extremely easy and efficient. I use the subway, which is safe and cheap, every day.

  Driving, on the other hand, can be extremely trying. Lots of one-way streets, very little parking, traffic. Many parents I talk to at CPW Registration who aren’t used to driving in Boston (or a similar city, like San Francisco or New York) are quite frustrated. I write this to warn you a bit, and to encourage you to plan ahead.

  Parking on or near campus is very difficult. There are very few parking spaces available for visitors during the day on Thursday and Friday (evenings and weekends are usually somewhat better). We recommend that you park at your hotel and make your way to campus from there. Please note that we can’t provide transportation to or from your hotel — call them and figure out your best way to get to MIT on public transportation.

  Most of you will drive to MIT on the Massachusetts Turnpike (Interstate 90). To get to the drop-off point from “the Pike,” follow I-90 east to the Cambridge/Brighton exit (exit 18). After paying the toll, follow the signs to Cambridge. Proceed through the stoplights at the intersection. You will cross the Charles River via the River Street Bridge. Continue straight on River Street for about 7/10 mile to Central Square (the next major intersection). Turn right onto Massachusetts Avenue and follow Massachusetts Avenue for about 7/10 mile. After you cross the railroad tracks, you will be looking at MIT – the Great Dome and academic facilities are on the left, the dormitories and athletic facilities are on the right. Make a right at the third stoplight after the railroad tracks; the drop-off point is ahead on your right.

• For those flying to campus: On Thursday from 8am until 9pm, we will be running a free shuttle bus from Boston Logan Airport Terminal E directly to MIT. There are free airport shuttle buses that can take you from the baggage claim at your terminal to Terminal E. The MIT airport shuttle is a green Peter Pan bus with an MIT sign on the front windshield. We will also run shuttles from MIT back to the airport on Sunday from 6am until 2pm.

  At other times, there are other ways to get to/from the airport. The cheapest way is by public transportation (MBTA), taking the Silver Line bus to the Red Line subway, exiting at Kendall/MIT (cost: $2). The fastest and most convenient way is by taxi (~$35, including tolls & tip).

• Food: I hope you’ll get a chance to try out different food options on campus. We will be providing a meal voucher to have dinner in one of the residential dining halls, and there will also be a special brunch on Saturday provided in the dorms by the Faculty Housemasters.

• Financial Aid Appointments: From 9am-5pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, the very nice financial aid officers will be taking 20 minute one-on-one appointments to answer your questions and help with financial aid issues. We will try to meet with as many families as possible throughout the weekend, but availability is limited. Sign up at CPW Headquarters/check-in to make an appointment.

We’re looking forward to seeing you soon!

For the parents whose student (only) will be attending CPW

First of all, rest assured, we will take good care of your son or daughter while they are here. They have been paired with a quality MIT student host and have a place to stay in an MIT living group.

Here are a few (hopefully) helpful hints:

• Being in touch: The students tend to have a lot of fun during CPW, and sometimes forget to call home and check in. We recommend talking to your son or daughter before they leave about being in touch. We do provide for free phone calls in CPW Headquarters.

• Cell phones: If your student does not have a cell phone, but you do, you may want to consider loaning them the cell phone for the weekend. We have found that this makes it easier to coordinate and be in touch.

• Medical release form: Please sign and fax in the Medical Release Form ASAP. The form came in the March mailing with the other CPW materials, and is also available on the CPW website as a PDF. You can fax it to 617-253-4076.

• If you have questions about MIT: We’re sorry we can’t see you in person for CPW, but we’re happy to answer any questions you might have. Feel free to leave questions in the blog comments, or call our office directly, or email us, or send us a letter by carrier pigeon. We are here to help answer your questions, so don’t hesitate to ask.

…and keep an eye on the blogs, you may see a familiar face!

For parents who won’t be at CPW, nor their student

• We still welcome a visit by your son or daughter, or you and your son or daughter, anytime. Between now and May 1, we’re happy to provide an MIT student host for an overnight visit (parent housing not included); have your son or daughter submit the Overnight Program registration on MyMIT.

• If you have questions about MIT: We’re sorry we can’t see you in person for CPW, but we’re happy to answer any questions you might have. Feel free to leave questions in the blog comments, or call our office directly, or email us, or send us a letter by carrier pigeon. We are here to help answer your questions, so don’t hesitate to ask.

Let us know how we can help bring the campus to you!

There’s a lot more excitement between now and May 1, but for now, our attention is focused on CPW and the 1,000 members of the Class of 2012 who will be on campus.

In the meantime, any last minute CPW questions?