<p>I can adapt to basically any environment. I have virtually no preferences when it comes to location. I have already picked a few well-known schools based on academics and my stats. Should I still conduct college visits to actually see the schools? Could my fit-in-anywhere attitude be a problem?</p>
<p>Absolutely. Congrats (sincerely!) on being flexible. But even a chameleon isn’t happy in certain frigid locales. </p>
<p>Just ten minutes on location can make a difference (but several hours is better). One family I know went to see a well regarded school and were stunned to see dumpsters filled with empty booze bottles outside the dorms. A kid staggered out in front of them and heaved in an entire bin of bottles. “Do this often?” the Dad inquired. “Every morning” was the honest reply. Although this was a modern family, the level of boozing was more than even the outgoing son wanted. I promise those dumpsters were not pictured in the campus brochure. </p>
<p>Colleges can appeal for shallow reasons. The greatest pizza in the world may speak to you. A fabulous cricket pitch. A glorious sunny plaza. None of these may be required to live a decent life but any or all may speak to your heart. </p>
<p>So, to the extent you can, go. Go see. </p>
<p>If you are on a tight budget, apply and make plans to visit soon after April 1 to the schools that you were admitted. A visit then can be very meaningful because you really can sort out which dorm or major while you are there. This saves you from spending money on schools that end up not being possible for you.
Good luck!</p>
<p>Yes, yes, yes, yes, you should go visit. Olymom gives good advice.</p>
<p>It’s great that you are flexible, because you will have a lot more choices.
There are still going to be environments where you are happier than others.<br>
When we toured, my daughter realized that she’d forgotten to think about the neighborhoods where the schools were located. One rural school seemed too isolated to her. Another school smelled strongly of the cow pastures nearby…a deal breaker for her. Another school was way too urban, with the tour guide proudly pointing out the blue security lights every few hundred feet (“crime has gone way down!”). Before we visited, each of the above schools had met her criteria in every other way.</p>
<p>“Colleges can appeal for shallow reasons.”
so true, lol : ]</p>
<p>I feel the same way. The best thing is to visit and see what sense you get of a school.</p>