This is a really difficult task for the OP. Too many things need to be selected.
The OP and the child need to know ahead the critical criteria to determine whether a college is a good fit.
But how to get the answer for each question in a 2-4 hour visit? This is the most difficult part. It’s really a headache for me.
I think the OP also needs to prepare for unplanned events. So far we only have opinions of the adults here. But the child may have different perspectives. I made detailed travel plans for my family in the past but I could not carry out the entire plans. Sometimes my kids want to stay longer for some events I thought they were not important. Sometimes I thought I my kids had to see some places but in the end they did not want. This could be because they were tired and woke up late in the morning or because they spotted some other things more interesting to them or because they just wanted to be more independent. These things made me change the plans on the road.
@PurpleTitan, the data on collegedata.com are self-reported an notoriously unreliable. Hell, I myself created a profile with made-up stats just to get access to some of their information. Most kids who post there don’t report their results (see all those blue dots?) and there’s no way to know whether any of the other reported results have any basis in reality.
There are several European politicians that went to the Fletcher school of law and diplomacy and as a result Tufts is kind of known. At least this is my experience talking to my Euro friends. Also, the dental school is well known among the professionals. In general I assume schools with strong graduate schools will be more well known and recognized overseas.
“when the data doesn’t fit your preconceptions, you ignore the data?” (#141)
In this case, after closely examining the proferred link, I simply came to statistically reasonable inferences about its quality and scope (e.g., only 19 decisions were reported, the 1300 student is represented by a circle (no hooks) and the student herself may be @Sue22.)
@PurpleTitan
I know several European dentists that did some type of graduate work at Tufts. I am not in the field and do not know exactly the name of the programs. Maybe they are fellowships, I am not sure. I was surprised too of the number. I have a south European friend that markets dentistry related drugs and she is telling me she often uses her Tufts connections.
@valent2016 I am a green card holder living in Arkansas. It’s not unusual for my sons high school friends to bring a foreign student home for the holidays when many dorms close.
My son is a US citizen so I didn’t have to worry about visas for him.
Get to the next cllege tour place the night before...so you don't have to get up early and hustle about in the morning. Most afternoon tours end early enough that you should be able to travel to your next destination afterward.
Your kiddo will be attending college a long way from familiar things. If it were me, I would go to,less schools, and see more of the surrounding areas, sites, activities, etc. check out hotels for when you visit, proximity to an airport with international flights, restaurants, and any other entertainment your kiddo might like (e.g. Some kids live major league sports).
We treated our visits as a process for elimination: a way to determine what is NOT a fit, instead of what is a fit, to cull the long list down to a short list. We figure that once S has admission results in hand, he’ll have another opportunity to visit, if need be.
We had one funny “definitely NOT a fit” moment, when the 3 of us snuck away in the middle of the campus tour. Then we cancelled our appts at similar type schools on that trip. If you really hate the school, don’t drag it out.
Hi I live in the area of Haverford college. The mainline and Philadelphia is a great place to visit. If you can I would stay at the Wayne hotel. It is in the center of a small town near Haverford. it is called Wayne, PA. If you have the time I would go to independence mall and see the liberty bell or go to the constitution center. Old city Philadelphia is great. Good luck and have a wonderful time in the USA. PM if you need anything else.
What are your kids’ academic and extracurricular interests? What are their personalities like? I just went through the search with my son this past year and might be able help narrow things down a bit for you.
@thumper 1, @coolweather, yes absolutely and point well noted. Aiming to factor in some down time/unpredictable moods/getting lost etc …as we plan the logistics. We did a “Uni trip” in the UK a while back…which was much easier given the generally familiar terrain, but still did manage to throw up a fair amount if unplanned excitement. One included losing my phone while being away from my kids and then trying to locate them for almost an hour
And one more thing. You have a long trip planned. We did two trips of 10 days each writ each of our kids…and saw seven colleges on each trip. To be honest…that was TOO many. And you think we would have learned! By the end of the week, the kids were not as invested in the college visits as when they were fresh on the trip.
So, you have been given LOTS of college choices on this thread. I would suggest that you attempt to get some of them by using their websites to gain information. Don’t do too many visits. It will burn all of you out.
And as noted…mix in some fun days as well. I believe you said you would be here in the summer, right? Find time to sit around a nice hotel pool, or even go to a water park. Go get ice cream at a well known place near a college. Or just relax!
In terms of tourism, did you say whether your family prefers urban or natural areas? Both?
Regarding colleges, I’d avoid the “streetlight effect” to the extent it can be identified. That is, visiting schools primarily for the reason of proximity to other destinations, rather than general academic suitability, does not seem like a good idea to me.
With all due respect…I think location is something to be considered. Some people want to be near things like art museums, or concert halls, or other colleges, or a good foodie scene.
If they want these things…they need to know they exist. This family is not from the U.S. I think they need to know what is near each college they visit…or not. Of course not everything…but a sampling.
The kid needs to live there for four years, and proximity to other destinations could be an important criteria for the student.
@thumper1 : I meant post 157 differently than as interpreted. For example, even colleges as close to each other as Barnard and Columbia may not be appealing to a particular student, and therefore should not necessarily both be formally toured, however convenient (though the appeal of Manhattan, as you implied, could be strong under either scenario and should be considered).
On the broader topic, the aesthetic appeal of some colleges may make them tourist destinations in themselves:
“The 25 Most Beautiful Colleges Campuses in America,” Thrillist
“The 30 Best, Most Beautiful Small Colleges in America,” Best Degree Programs
