Okay, I think I’m going to plan on Option #1, just visiting 2-3 LACs. The whole point of the trip is for him to see what an LAC can offer before he gets too zeroed in on the big publics. Maybe we’ll do Sea World or the Schlitterbahn while we’re down in SA. In that case, I’ll bet some of his siblings would like to tag along. We’ll make it fun. Thanks for the guidance, as always. 
We did 10 colleges in 5 days because that was what we had to do. Took all the kids. Created a form for each kid to fill out about likes, dislikes, etc. which I insisted they fill out after each school. It was a great and fun experience and I am glad we saw a lot of schools in a short time. There were large, small, urban, rural, etc.all different types of schools so they could all get a quick read on “fit” for themselves. If they loved one style we knew to pursue that kind in other parts of the country. Very helpful. We did not have time to do much play so we made sure to make regular ice cream breaks. That helped a lot.
My kids loathed the info sessions and, in fact, they did all run together. To this day we can’t hear “holistic” without a roll of the eyes (for all of us!). Just. All. The. Same. So, don’t feel bad if you skip out on those. Doubtful there is anything there not avail on the website.
Good luck! I have such fond memories of the search. All different from my school visit selections so new to me as well!
I think an all LAC trip is okay. My younger son’s first criteria was that his college had to be bigger than his high school, which ruled out all LACs. I took him on a one day trip to see two LACs that are an easy day trip from us. One was more rural than the other. (He also didn’t think he wanted rural.) I told him I understood that neither school fit his criteria, but there were things I admired about both schools and that I thought might appeal to him and give him ideas about what to look for in other schools. He hated the rural school, but the other LAC which was almost as big as his high school and located in a small city stayed on his list in case he changed his mind about LACs come April senior year.
@ShrimpBurrito provided he still wants to swim D1 come time to apply, where he is recruited will obviously play a role in what options are available to him. Also, there is always ASU where Michael Phelps coaching will likely draw elite swimmers. Good luck - will be exciting to see where he ends up!
I think you need to email the swim coaches at each school to see when they will be on campus. That might dictate some of your trip.If you are driving that far it would be nice to meet the coach, get a tour of the facilities etc.
But I agree with the others, do not do your favorite first especially if it involves meeting the coach.
Good luck
Hi @fleishmo6. I think we aren’t going to try to meet the coaches just yet. It’s so early. We’ll take a peek at the pools, and if S decides he does want to consider applying to either of these schools we’ll make a return visit anyway.
@my2caligirls I love how our paths keep crossing. B-) If S’s times get fast enough that he’d be recruitable for those top tier DI schools (he’s not there yet!), we’ll have to do some serious research. What I understand now is that it is extremely difficult to swim DI and do what you need to do to put together a strong med school application. It seems DIII is much more flexible. So, if S really wants to go to a DI school, he may choose one with a strong club swim team. That could be a great way for him to have his cake and eat it too. Or he may decide against med school (although I doubt it–he’s pretty focused).
D18 visited ASU and loved it. She’s applying. What a fun safety school. If S can pull off NMF we may give ASU a look for him, too.
@ShrimpBurrito yes we have D18’s and Canadian dual citizenship in common - you are far ahead of me on the Canadian school visits so I watch what you say closely as I am all ears!! Agree ASU (Barrett) is a nice safety especially if NMF.
I would suggest then, when looking at pool if he gets on deck have him knock on coaches door just to introduce himself. Great experience and you are not locked in
Enjoy the trip
Great plan. Thanks!
Unless they are in the same location, we plan our trip just for the shortest driving distance and convenience for stop. Indeed, we did two short trips to make it less overwhelming. I don’t think the order is that important.
Make sure this is within the recruiting rules.
@twoinanddone From what I understand, this is okay as long as it is initiated by the student.
So siblings on college tours aren’t always the best idea. They get bored and can be a distraction. We only took a sib when both parents were along so one parent could keep the sib occupied if needed. (Although D2 was smitten with the intellectual vibe of UChicago when on campus as an 11 year old with her older sister, applied when in HS and was accepted)
But there are some times of the year when contact is not allow (dead periods) and now it is not allowed until Sept 1 of junior year in lacrosse, doesn’t matter who initiates it. And of course there are times when the coaches just aren’t there. We were at quite a few schools when there weren’t many people around at all. We hit some schools on our way to one of the major tournaments, and the coach met us, did the tour/interview, but then headed out to the tournament herself.
Why not just make an appointment?
My advice: don’t see a bunch of high reach schools, regardless of whether or not you think they are a fit. Focus only on schools that are within the realm of possibility. I personally don’t think the order matters. And I am one of the few that thinks this, but I say squeeze in as many visits as you can in a day, so that you have more time to do fun stuff. This actually should be relatively easy to do in summer because there will be far fewer people around.
Thanks for all of the input.
@intparent My youngest is 14 (they are all very close in age), and I’ve made it clear to the kids that if they choose to come along, they will be expected to pay attention and act appropriately during the tours. It looks like D18 may be the only taker.
@twoinanddone Thanks, I wasn’t aware of dead periods. D18 visited with a coach last August, but I will double check to make sure this is okay.
@Lindagaf I’m with you on not visiting high reach schools. This kid may not even have any on his list. We are full pay and want to keep costs as low as possible in case he does go to med school.
Here’s the itinerary, after input from D18 and S20:
Day 1: drive to Georgetown, TX
Day 2: visit Southwestern U, drive to San Antonio
Day 3: see the Market Square, Riverwalk, other SA sights
Day 4: visit Trinity U
Day 5: Schlitterbahn (water park)
Day 6: Schlitterbahn
Day 7: drive home
We visited Trinity in March. Saw the pool (outdoors, which my swimming kids from Wisconsin found wild–but will be normal to your son I’m assuming) on the regular tour. My S18 is a swimmer/runner who may run in college. He met with coaches at Trinity and they were very welcoming. His older sister was a recruited D3 swimmer but chose to go to a D1 school and not swim. My kids both felt that swimming D1 meant that swimming was your focus, not academics. (Obviously this is a huge generalization!)
One other thought–For strong academics, LAC with merit, I loved the coach and program at Grinnell. They are very successful swimmers, but the coach made it clear that academics came first. And they give merit money, although it is of course competitive.
@Booajo,
So what did your son think about Trinity overall? Is it still on his list?
I checked Trinity’s website and they have an indoor competition pool as well. Facilities sure look nice.
I understand the same about swimming DI. One of my S’s current coaches recently graduated from a DI school, so he’ll be a good resource.
I don’t know if S would be game for Grinnell. He doesn’t like the idea of Hendrix because of the remote location. Of course, he’s very young, and could change his mind…a few times over! I recently got an updated Fiske guide and bookmarked some schools that would be financially feasible. He’s already looking through it and asking questions. This will be fun.
Not first … it needs to shine by comparison … and not last … you don’t want you and kid to be exhausted.
I think you could fit at least one more school in there. UT-Austin Plan II program for a LAC-like feel within a large university? The two schools you have on there are less than a half day each. And SW is so close to Austin. But the touring and water parks sound fun. Surprised your younger ones wouldn’t take you up on the trip.