So you have a son or daughter who is a high school student -- even a freshman -- but especially a junior -- you have entered the college decision zone! I have some great suggestions for planning visits to colleges in this sometimes trying sometimes exhilarating period of your life and your child's life.
Instructions
1. First and absolutely foremost, let your child make the plans! No, I don't mean every detail. But let them say what schools they want to visit. Then, you help them figure out how you can accomplish the visits. Planning a college visit can be fun!
EXAMPLE -- you live in Pennsylvania and your child tells you he wants to apply to the University of Hawaii, and that you should visit there. Consider how serious your child's suggestions are.
TRUE STORY -- a good friend of mine took his son on a road trip to visit schools that had engineering programs. His son refused to get out of the car at one urban school in Philadelphia. Trust their instincts!
2. Time your visits well. You don't want to go on a trip when schools are not in session. Sure, summer vacation works well, but then there are no regular classes in session. You don't get a true picture of the campus, the students, and the classes.
TIP -- call ahead to the school to sign up for information sessions and tours. You don't want to show up and be closed out -- especially when you have traveled far.
TIP -- Unless your child is a senior, avoid late March through April -- schools are inundated with kids who have been accepted (sometimes called prospies (prospective students)) and you don't want to be overrun by them if you have a sophmore or junior who is just strating his or her college trips.
TIP -- If you have to go over the summer, and your son or daughter loves the school, let them go back in the fall for an overnight visit. See Step 6 below.
3. Car or plane or train? It all depends on where you are going. And your budget. Car trips may cost the least, but you aren't going on a road trip from Atlanta to UCLA in Los Angeles.
TIP -- Amtrak has a program where going to school visits with your child gives you a free ticket for the student. See the link below under resources. This is particularly good for the Northeastern United States (Washington - Philadelphia - NY - New Haven - Providence - Boston) corridor schools.
4. Attend the college information session at the school. This is a large gathering, and they give you an overview of the school. My big tip for these -- don't ask questions here. Go back to the Admissions Office with your child. Ask for the admissions officer who handles admissions from your area. If he or she is there, introduce yourself. If not, get their card. And follow up with an e-mail. This person is the front line for your child's application.
5. On the tour of the school, wear comfortable shoes and marvel at how the guides walk backwards (you'll see what I mean). I found there was one question (actually a pair of questions) that I as a parent would ask -- sure, my son crawled under the nearest rock, but it was telling what the tour guide responded. You should ask "What is the best thing about going to this school? And what is the worst thing?"
TRUE STORY -- At American University I asked those questions, and the guide said "The best thing is the international student body. The worst thing is that vending machines don't work." Really said that.
TRUE STORY -- At the University of Maryland, the tour guide said the best thing about UMd and the worst thing was how big the school is.
TRUE STORY -- At my alma mater (the University of Pennsylvania), I seemed to know more about the school history than the tour guide -- but I kept my mouth shut (as parents should on tours, for the most part).
6. Ask your child if he or she knows anyone at the school -- kids who went to their high school, or summer camp. Your child should get in touch with them (Facebook or MySpace works well). You can at least have lunch with the friend, or even better let your child stay with the friend overnight.
WARNING -- a colleague at work told me how his son stayed with a neighborhood friend at the University of Notre Dame -- and the college crowd showed the high school student a true taste of college drinking life. Be careful to avoid such situations.
7. Another way to tour a school is if your child attends a summer institute. My son attended the Northwestern University National High School Institute, fell in love with Northwestern, applied early decision, and is now completing his freshman year.
WARNING -- attending a school's summer program does not guarantee admission as a freshman -- but I have never heard that it hurts!
8. Can't get to all the schools? Are some just too far but of interest to your child? do a virtual tour online. Check out the article in the resource section below whcih has links to virtual college tour sites.
Tags: your child, TRUE STORY, best thing, tour guide, worst thing, best thing about