Parents—FAQs
Clearly, students aren’t the only ones with questions about college right now. Moms and dads across the country have just as many questions about their student’s experience, and the impact it will have on the entire family. So here are answers to some of the more common questions we get from parents…
How will my son or daughter adjust to being so far from home?
Some students start out a bit hesitant or unsure, especially if they’ve never been away from home before. But once they settle in, get into their course work, and make friends from their residence hall, classes, and student groups, distance from home becomes less of a concern.
What resources are in place to help my student adjust socially?
Orientation week is a great way for your son or daughter to meet new students and make friends. On top of that, we have more than 180 student organizations that they can get involved with, as well as weekly campus events, activities, intramurals, and Husky athletics that bring students from across campus together.
How often will I get to see my son or daughter once the school year begins?
We get this one a lot. You’ll come to campus for Orientation and move-in. Then in October we have Family Weekend, in November students usually go home for a week at Thanksgiving, then again for three weeks in December and January over semester break. In February we have Winter Carnival, which is a must-see for most families. In March students have a week for Spring Break, and in early May they’re home for the summer. Check out the academic calendar for specific dates.
We live outside of the local area. How will my son or daughter come home on breaks?
First-year students may have a car on campus but it is not necessary for day to day travel. For longer breaks, students can use campus resources to find rides home. Rideboards, where students can connect with other students to give or get a ride home, are available in each residence hall as well as the Memorial Union Building or online.
Students can also use the Houghton County Memorial Airport (code CMX), located about eight miles north of campus. Mesaba-Northwest Airlink/Delta currently services the airport with flights available daily. Indian Trails offers regular bus service to the Houghton/Hancock area. Check out our directions to campus for more details.
What kind of first-year transition program is there to help my son or daughter adjust?
COMPASS—our Center for Orientation, Mentoring, Parents, and Academic Student Success—is amazing. First-year students can live and learn together in the same residence hall, form lasting friendships, and gain access to specialized academic support, mentoring networks, and learning communities.
Where can I go to hear from parents of current Michigan Tech students?
Our network of parents is as strong and well-organized as you’ll find anywhere in the nation. You can access ParentNet and read letters from current students, read discussion boards where current parents discuss their child’s experience, and even ask questions of your own through our email listserv just for Michigan Tech parents.
My student is pretty shy. Will it be hard for him or her to adjust to life in the residence halls?
Many students choose to live in Learning Communities within the residence halls as a way to connect with students who have shared interests. This brings them out of their shells pretty quickly. Plus, Michigan Tech is a residential campus—most students have an eight- or 10-hour drive to get here—so students are around on weekends. Most students find it easy to make friends, get involved, and have a great time.
How many students receive financial aid and scholarships at Michigan Tech?
More than 89 percent of current Michigan Tech students receive financial assistance—totaling more than $60 million per year—in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and part-time student employment.
What’s Houghton like and will there be things for my son or daughter to do?
Houghton is a wonderful college town which, along with its sister city of Hancock, has a population of around 14,000. The community is welcoming to students, and features coffee houses, restaurants, world-class shows at the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, outdoor activities at our great trails, the Outdoor Adventure Program, churches and houses of worship, and much, much more. Learn more about campus life at Michigan Tech.
Who can I contact for further information?
Feel free to contact our Admissions Office at 888-688-1885 or email mtu4u@mtu.edu.