Lessons Learned About Campus Visits
As parents of sophomores and juniors schedule flights, rent cars, make hotel reservations, and book spring break campus tours, this whole “college thing” becomes eerily real.
Two experienced parents who have recently completed college visits and have come out the other side smiling share their advice:
“I would say that the best thing we did regarding campus visits was to start early. We looked closely at upcoming days off, vacation days, and even teacher/staff development days. If you wait until summer, you may not get a “real” feel of the campus dynamics. We made a point of visiting most schools at two different times to get an idea of school spirit, study habits, and student engagement. I also learned that colleges offer specialized sessions (engineering, business, honors college, etc.) only on certain days of the week.”
One parent realized she was embarrassing her teen on a few tours when she asked one too many questions. “For me, I need to know everything about the school.” Some questions seemed appropriate in the large group setting, and I left others until we were on the student-led tour. I did ask about traditions on campus, study abroad options, and the quality of the career services center.” Our advice - parents should ask questions when they must, but leave the bulk of the questions to their child.
This parent’s best advice is to ask your child to write down their thoughts about the college immediately after settling back in the car because one school can look just like the rest. “I tried not to give my opinion before my child did. I didn’t want to color their observations,” I would ask questions and then wait until they were all finished to give my opinions.
The parents of the second family, whose teen ultimately applied for Early Decision, started preparing in their sophomore year because they felt it was important for their child to have a good working knowledge of each school prior to a visit. They made sure to ask the same questions on each visit.
You may also find that one visit simply isn’t enough. Families can later take advantage of Open Houses or Discovery Days offered by the schools, which provide even more information. Remember that schools also offer wonderful virtual visit options. Families who want to learn more about a school can register for the virtual information sessions.
Visiting college campuses can be eye-opening and very informative. Try to enjoy the process of researching and touring college as it can get overwhelming at times. Beyond the college campus, take time to visit the local town. Find a local ice cream store, independent bookstore, or something that your teen would enjoy. Cherish your journey together.
