<p>we started in the summer before Jr. year. Twins with different needs, a lack of proximity to lots of interesting schools and lack of unlimited funds for college visits put us in a position where we had to get a jump on things. </p>
<p>My advice if your kid is reluctant is to give her/him control over other parts of the trip and let her/him know that, if at any point they decide they don't want to continue with the vist it is OK. I told my most reluctant D that she could hang out in the coffee shop with a book if she decided to and it was golden. Just knowing she had the option of bagging the whole thing gave her a far better attitude about the process. At one school they both returned shaking their heads after the class visit because whatever the prof had said didn't agree with what they knew to be true from AP bio. We had several other things planned for that visit but we politely made our excuses and left. The realization that they could and should call the shots empowered them .</p>
<p>Also let the college hopeful decide where you eat, what you do in your non-college visit hours and whether to hang out at the hotel's pool or in the hot tub. The biggest mistake I made in this regard was insisting on a tour my DDs did not want to participate in AT ALL. It soured them on the school which is really a fabulous place where either of them could have been happy as clams but neither is applying and I do think it was because I forced it on them. lesson learned. our remaining vistis were wonderful!</p>
<p>I visited several colleges in spring of my sophomore year, and I think it will be a great experience if your D is very self-motivated. (I.e. I procrastinate by doing college research.) I wish I had parents willing to let me visit faraway schools!</p>
<p>I started college visits in the summer between sophomore and junior year. It is a great time to do them and colleges are very accommodating. I learned a lot about colleges that helped me determine the ones I am applying to now.</p>
<p>Another voice for early visits, if child is interested.
We visited Berkely many years ago, when my oldest was probably 4 years old. Friends happened to work there and they gave us a tour while we stayed with them while visiting the Bay area. I doubt the kids rememeber anything but the fountain, since we have seen The Graduate a few time since then and always remind them - see, you have a picture by this fountain :)
When oldest was 9 or so we spend the weekend in DC and happen to go trick or treating in Georgetown. My then 7 year old fell in love with the vicinity of the campus and ever since then she has been repeating that she will study vet science there :).LOL, I don't even know if they have the program :)
Next fall we are planning a trip to NYC and since we live far from the East I will try to incorporate some college visits . My kids will probably be mostly interested in food, still it will give them some orientation as to waht to look for in the future, when the time comes to make that big decision.</p>