To try and answer some of your additional questions…
How best to visit - We always visited when school was in session (otherwise we felt like we’d just be seeing buildings). We scheduled in advance – we generally did an information session/tour but would do an open house day if that was the option available. After each visit we had our child jot down some notes on things they particularly liked which proved to be helpful for school specific essays down the road.
How best to evaluate - One thing we learned is not to give our opinion until we asked our kid’s opinion so we wouldn’t influence their thinking. We found that the LACs all had a vibe – our D was clear about which schools she could see herself at and which she could not.
How to minimize stress -
1)Be realistic in terms of where your child can get in. It is easy to get caught up in the reach schools but also take the time to find match/safety schools that your child could be happy at.
2)We found that applying to some schools the student likes rolling/EA and getting that early acceptance relieved a ton of stress.
3) Our D wanted a LAC and wanted to apply ED. We started the process pretty early, she had her two two schools picked out by the fall of senior year – we revisited them both in Sept. and her top choice became clear. She applied to Laf ED and got in so that made the rest of senior year a breeze. FWIW she did interview with her top 4 schools in the fall of senior year to be prepared in case her ED application was not accepted. She also applied to two non-binding EA schools and one rolling admissions school so we could be pretty sure she would have an acceptance or two by December.