Planning college visit -need tips please

happy1
Tue, 09 Feb 2016 16:57:12 +0000

My comments are more general…

Unless she is trying to choose a school for ED, you may want to wait until she is accepted before you make the plane flight to visit far-away schools. She can show interest by requesting a local interview, going to the presentation if the school visits her HS, maybe going to a college fair that the college will be at etc.

My practical piece of advice is to get some kind of organization/folder system where you can store the pamphlets etc. you get from each school. Save campus maps/directions etc. in case you re-visit when it is time to make a final choice. After each school independently write down some impressions or comments you have on anything (the campus, the academic program…anything). The other practical advice we got from our S’s guidance counselor is to not visit any schools you are not willing to send your child to. If a school is too expensive, too far, or anything else, don’t visit. Better to let your D know your parameters up front than to have her fall for a school you know is not do-able.

My “mom” advice is to enjoy this process. It will seem like a hassle at times but these may be the last big road-trips you take with your D. Take the chance to enjoy her company, to see how her mind works, and to get a sense of what she is looking for. And always listen you your D’s opinion on a school before you state yours.