<p>Very good point 1D1TG, one must visit the EDs and safeties! </p>
<p>And yes, lela, there IS a committment. You may have more than one preferred school, but to apply to one ED you have to be confident you’d ‘jump up and down’ to attend. </p>
<p>My D had visited & overnighted at all her top schools prior to applying. (Though, to be honest ,we did not visit all the safeties, and you’re right-- one should do this!)</p>
<p>Ok you guys seem to be assuming that everyones parents have the luxury to fly both themselves and their kids across the country to see colleges. My parents are not able to take that kind of time off from work so if I went by your rules, whoever states it, I wouldent be applying to any colleges outside the vicinity of manhattan. And another thing I hope you all realize that I am just asking for suggestions and plan on researching them fully. This is far from a randomized process and I’m sorry if I gave you guys that impression. When I made this post I figured you guys would perhaps let me know of a school that would be amazing all around like NYU or a school of that caliber that would probably be extremely difficult to get into with my grades but also something that just might happen because I applied early. And also, IzzyJ, I dont plan on applying for financial aid. My parents would be ecstatic to pay double what NYU costs if I was to get in rather then have me go to some CUNY crap.</p>
<p>aquafina, What do you like about NYU and Oxy? Let’s go back to that. Maybe then we can help you by suggesting schools that share those qualities that you can investigate.</p>
<p>Nobody is saying you have to visit every school. But ED is binding; if you get in, you have to go. I think it’s risky to apply ED to a school you have not visited. I’m very confused about your plan to research our suggestions “fully” in only one day. Or maybe I am reading the title of this thread wrong. But–hey–if you like NYU, I’m sure you’ve visited if you live in Manhattan, so why not apply there? Or is it too close to home? 
Btw, you couldn’t pick two more different schools than NYU and Oxy.</p>
<p>IN USNWR, these are schools ranked near Oxy level that are in your area for visiting:</p>
<p>35Connecticut College (CT)
*<em>36 Union College (NY)
*</em>39 Bard College (NY)
*<em>39 Franklin and Marshall College ¶
*</em>41 Occidental College (CA)
*<em>41 Skidmore College (NY)
*</em>45 Dickinson College ¶
*<em>47 Gettysburg College ¶
*</em>49 Sarah Lawrence College (NY)</p>
<p>From Uni List in NYU territory:</p>
<p>BC
BU
Rutgers
U Conn</p>
<p>Even if you only visit local schools, by seeing 5-6 you will get a feel for the type of place you like best. You can do that in a weekend or two.<br>
**</p>
<p>"Ok you guys seem to be assuming that everyones parents have the luxury to fly both themselves and their kids across the country to see colleges. "</p>
<p>Students go on those trips by themselves. They take a plane, then either are picked up at the airport by the college or take a cab to the campus. Many colleges will allow h.s. seniors to spend the night with a willing student of the same gender – as long as the senior arranges that well in advance. </p>
<p>S just came back from a trip like that and will go next month on another such trip. </p>
<p>Considering that you live in NYC, you are close enough to many colleges to do them in day trips by bus, train or plane.</p>
<p>You know what then I think I will go visit alot of these. I just hope I can find time in my hectic senior year to do so. Thanks Northstarmom. Also do you think I could just stay at a hotel and visit the campus? I have a credit card under my name but am 17 and I’m not sure if staying at a hotel is allowed. Thanks.</p>
<p>You may get a more 'insider" view staying on campus… My D had a great time staying on campus. I stayed by myself in the various hotels!</p>