<p>saintfan & eagle69, thanks very much for your responses. </p>
<p>We’re coming from Kansas City, so it’s a 7+ hour drive. I considered stopping at another college along the way, but we may (or may not) drag the family along, so there’s a newly-turned-4-year-old to consider. </p>
<p>@saintfan, that’s a good point - we should take DS2015 to a few area college campuses first, just to get a “feel” for what a campus is like (aside from what he’s seen at events held at our state flagship). </p>
<p>@eagle69, we spoke with a Carleton rep at a college fair this Spring and he was amazing, so DS took some literature and has an interest - mostly just because of what the rep told him. However, StO seems like the kind of place DS might wind up being very excited about. Since we’d be in Northfield anyway, I figured we should just tour both campuses while we’re there. Your perspective on the differences in the schools would be appreciated.</p>
<p>In reading other threads, and knowing how increasingly busy students become as the high school years progress, this particular Summer seems like a good time for an initial visit somewhere. My primary motivation for this trip would be to counteract what our own HS counselors tell the kids and parents: “Your student will go in-state, there’s nothing wrong with in-state and most everyone goes in-state, so we can help you with that. Otherwise, you’re on your own.” And they are correct, both about in-state and being on one’s own for anything beyond that. DS may wind up going instate, but DH & I would like him to know there’s more out there for him to consider. And he’s currently a great student - so I’d like him to see what some of his options are if he stays that way. We’ve already watched some very smart, talented boys pull away from academics with the goal of being <em>cool.</em> So I’d like to plant a seed in DS’s brain before 10th grade, just in case.</p>
<p>As for the Fall…I wish. But DS plays HS soccer + debates, and our other kids are so busy in the Fall, that I’m not sure Fall would ever work. Would StO have anyone around in late July/early Aug - or is that just a poor time to visit?</p>
<p>Thanks for your help!</p>