<p>Everyone I know says that it is important to visit colleges to get a feel for you likes and dislikes and that it also shows demonstrated interest. The problem for me is that I can not afford to go to many of the colleges on my list. Besides the fact that it is expensive to travel, by taking a day off to take me to see a college my mother does not earn money for that day. We have been to Columbia and Barnard and I will see Princeton, since we live in NJ these schools aren't very far for us, but I feel bad for my mom because she didn't earn much needed money those days by taking me and she had to spend money for the train that we took to New York.</p>
<p>I've heard that some schools offer free trips to minorities that can't afford to see them and being african american I would qualify for these trips I was just wondering how would a person find out about these trips. Also if there are any other tips parents could offer me it would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Try searching each school's website using "subsidized visit" of "free visit" if a policy isn't clearly stated . Worst case, call the admissions office and ask.</p>
<p>Remember too that depending upon your financial situation, you may be able to have application fees waived. This is school specific, so you'll have to check this when the time comes.</p>
<p>Also, free trips may be offered after an applicant has been accepted. As nice as it is to visit a school before applying, that is not always possible--especially if a student is applying to a lot of colleges.</p>
<p>Be sure to check into SAT fees waivers with your counseling office.</p>
<p>Cecil
if you are planning to take any other trips by train, Amtrak has a campus visit deal where they only charge the parent the student is free (or the other way round, I can't remember; either way it's a 2-for-1 deal). If you are in NJ, depending where you're investigating, might be worth checking out.</p>
<p>apply for scholarships that if u get to be a finalist, you're flown out to the school and put up for the weekend for the interview. i visited UNC, duke, vandy, and u of south carolina all for free that way :-D</p>
<p>We are in a similiar position -- except that we are in Colorado, which is not close to ANY of the schools he is interested in.</p>
<p>first -- my son goes alone (I have been on one visit with him). He travels there alone, does the visit and tour, etc and asks his questions. That way, I don't pay for me and I don't lose a day's pay.</p>
<p>second -- definitely check into free visits. many top school have "minority weekends" where they will pay or heavily subsidize visits from good minority students. My son is not an URM, but I have heard many other students taking advantage of these opportunities.</p>
<p>Third -- do you ever travel? go to programs? visit relatives? If any of your visits are near or passing through an areas where there is a school you are interested in -- combine a visit with the trip. My son always does this and has managed to see several schools that way.</p>
<p>finally -- take a look at questbridge. it is for low-income/high stats students. once you sign up with them, they forward your name to the schools you are interested in and many times those schools make an effort to contact and offer free visits to minority students.</p>
<p>cecils15
You may want to consider visiting the University of Delaware, which should not be too far if you live in NJ, and you could probably go without your mom. You should contact the Admissions office. If you can't make it for a visit before you apply and you are considered for one of their top merit scholarships, they will pay for you to visit for a couple of days (and give you a debit card for expenses on campus). They provide all-expense merit scholarships (i.e. no loans, work study, etc.) for top students, including room, board, fees, etc. in their Honors program. My son got the DuPont scholarship and we had never visited the school before he went for the interview for the scholarship, since at the time we lived 1200 miles away in Minnesota. Given the other schools you are considering, it sounds like you might be a prospect for one of these scholarships. If you can't visit schools, make sure you attend college fairs or presentations in your area (these should be free) and meet with the admissions representatives. Take some labels with your name, address, phone number, email, and stats such as your GPA, SATs, ECs, etc. They will put you on their mailing lists and it is another way to indicate interest. If they have special programs for minority applicants to visit, they will probably tell you. Many schools also have DVDs they can give you at the fairs, or have tours on their websites that at least give you some flavor for the school. Good luck in your search!</p>
<p>You may be able to visit schools overnight without your mom if the school has a student hosting program (where you sleep on the floor of somebody's dorm room). Many colleges have such programs. You probably can't go alone if you have to stay in a motel because a lot of motels won't rent rooms to people your age.</p>