Uni Open Days - do they go alone or do you come too?

[TrainSong]

DS will be looking around some unis soon. What's the etiquette? Is it better for them to go around on their own or do parents usually come along?

Just because you go to open days doesn't mean you are choosing the uni or course! If that was the case then we wouldn't have liked Oxford Brookes so much

*dd wouldn't have

My husband and I attended both the applicant and open days with our DD and we all found it beneficial. We picked up things that she may never of thought of in terms of practicalities for selecting accommodation etc.
Almost all of the attendees had parents with them, very few were alone.

We didn't really know the etiquette or what to expect but clearly we weren't alone. We saw one or two students at each who were dressed in business suits, as were their parents, and they stood out like a sore thumb as everyone else was much more casual.

I’m not sure what I’ll do, assuming either/both of DS and DD decide to apply to university.

In the mid 90s I went on my own. Was bought a train ticket and generally dropped off at the mainline train station and off I went. I was completely happy being on my own and as both my parents were teachers would have been hard for them to come anyway.

Part of me would like to go but part of me is aware that they may not want me to. Will wait and see what the new few years bring anyway

I work at a university and the vast majority of prospective students attending open days are accompanied by their parents. Casual clothing is the norm.

A marked contrast to when I was choosing. Open days were rare and I didn't visit any of the institutions on my shortlist other than for an interview.

I agree with most, the overwhelming majority of youngsters were there with their parents.
DH and I took turns taking ours to where they wanted to look and a couple of times we took a friend of theirs too, when their parents couldn't manage it.
I was surprised to see on many occasions, families treating it as some kind of family outing though
Both of mine I think found it useful that one of us was there with them (aside from the fact it meant we gave them a lift, and they generally worked a pub meal into the day . ) I think particularly the first or 2nd one they go to - knowing to ask about accommodation / transport / 2nd yr accommodation / job prospects / clubs and societies / just all the things that are as important as the course, to make the whole 3 years the right experience.

I ended up having to take DD last autumn because, rather unhelpfully, Northern Rail were having weekly train strikes every Saturday, so I had to drive.

She wouldn't have gone on her own anyway because she doesn't have the self confidence to do so. I don't recall seeing any potential students on their own.