Make sure to check out our August Checklist for HS Seniors. Consult these quick resources to get you started on the process this month.
GUEST STUDENT OF THE WEEK: 10s4life just graduated from UCLA with a degree in electrical engineering. He'll answer questions about his experience at UCLA or the college admissions process. ASK HIM ANYTHING!
As we work to adjust to the current reality, make sure to check out these dedicated COVID-19 resources: our directory of virtual campus tours, our directory of extended deadlines, as well as the list of schools going test optional this fall.
Summer visits-where are you headed, any tips?
This discussion has been closed.
Replies to: Summer visits-where are you headed, any tips?
And the OP’s question was about summer visit plans and tips. Not the development of a college application list strategy, unless I missed something.
Kids do get lucky of course. I must have told S19 a dozen times in the six months after seeing Bowdoin that only seven out of 100 kids will get in. I thought he had his expectations in check but, after he was accepted, I fully understood how invested he was in the idea of going there. He just hadn't shared it with us because he knew it was a long shot but it was his clear favorite. As is preached so much on CC, I just want families to make sure to visit schools that are realistic for the student and find things to love about them.
We had an awakening experience applying to the competitive MS and HS, and later to the summer programs. From all the rejections we all know to apply wide, high and low. A the moment, we're visiting LA, and so will tour some of its colleges. As mentioned before, most likely not many CA colleges will make DD's list. Thank you for your warning to keep the feet on the ground.
He is also aware that while he isn’t very concerned with fit (perhaps naively), the colleges are. So the visit is more for him to learn if he is the kind of student who each colleges tends to attract. Knowing him, he will work very hard on his apps and wants to know as much about each school as possible.
Finances are not a barrier. His safeties are highly desirable to him already. And if his safeties burn to the ground this year and he gains zero other acceptances, he is fine with a gap year, too. He loves his summer/vacation job which he has had for 3 years (construction) and can easily do that full time for a year and earn a semester’s tuition.
Indeed he is very different than the type of student often posting or described here. He knows exactly what he wants. He doesn’t care about what a major is called, he only cares about what he will be learning and what types of research he can participate in (as soon as possible). He is judging the schools on things that are simply not available most places. So ‘finding more safeties’ is not an option. That’s like saying ‘find more schools with water polo teams.’ There are only so many which fit his academic criteria. Tough for a parent to argue with a kid who is choosing a college based on the type and quality of the actual education he will receive. He is just 17 and he very well may change his mind. But so far he hasn’t budged one inch. Given the pile of books on his desk about topics related to his intended major, I have to trust that his choice was far from capricious.
Sorry @gardenstategal. Had to comment. Lol.
We are going to U Wisconsin because I never brought S19 to a big school and I want D21 to be super sure she doesn’t want one. Our niece lives in Madison so we will visit her as well. All other visits waiting until spring and then fall of senior year. D21 has a pretty good list going and many schools are clumped together geographically so we should be able to see four of them over spring break. Might hit one or two not in that area next fall. We did find that visiting during the summers (especially for smaller schools) didn’t tell us very much.
We’ve already toured TAMU earlier this year. The rest of our college visits won’t be until the spring..marching band camp starts in July, won’t see my kids again until after football season is over lol.
It's great that your son is doing so much research! With our kids it was like pulling teeth 🙄 Good luck, and have fun!
- What did you like best?
- What did you like least?
- Can you see yourself attending school here?
When we hit the right one, he didn't even wait for me to ask. He got into the car and said "This is the school I want to go to."