Regarding being happy at colleges with very different vibes and whether or not to visit, I believe that my S could be happy at Williams, Dartmouth or plenty of other LACs. However, I also feel he could be happy at Georgia Tech. For him, academics and finances (and potential financial aid) are the most important factors. Yes, I’d like him to visit more schools to narrow in on some of his preferences, but there are some good reasons not to visit at this point. Wherever he ends up, he will likely work hard, find some way to get involved in sports and will make friends with a variety of kids (as he does now). For some families, the notion of a perfect or even great fit is not high on the priority list.