<p>I’ll be visiting/touring a college campus tomorrow (for the first time), and perhaps a few of you more experienced CCers can answer my questions :)</p>
<li><p>What is the deal with parents? Specifically…is it appropriate for my mom to tag along with me? I think she really wants to, but I don’t want to look like a weirdo who has to have her parents constantly by her side. I’m just wondering if it’s appropriate/common. I’ll be taking a group tour, and I don’t want to be the only prospective student with a parent 
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<li><p>I’d like to talk to a few of the current students and ask them about the school, but I’d prefer to be as non-awkward as possible. How do I go about doing this? </p></li>
<li><p>If I want to sit-in on a class, should I schedule this beforehand? Or is it alright if I ask the admissions counselor when I get there? </p></li>
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<p>any other comments/advice for campus visits would be greatly appreciated:) thank you!</p>
<p>Colleges are selling themselves to the parent as well as the student. You'll see plenty of "old folks" at the info session and on the tour. I try to hang back on the tour and let the kids get the spots close enough to hear the tour guide.</p>
<p>Eat at the student food court, or whatever they call it. Ask kids in line, or at the next table a question or two. You should find someone to talk to. Pick up the campus newspaper and see if any questions come to mind.</p>
<p>Sitting in on a class varies from school to school. Visit the college website to see what options are available. "Arranging in advance" means several days to a week in advance, not the day before. It's a good idea to ask the professor if you can sit in; there may be a test or project that day.</p>
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<li><p>Almost every student has atleast one parent with them. Some bring along younger brothers and sisters who aren't in school yet or are freshman and might be interested. You won't be the only person with a parent.</p></li>
<li><p>A student sitting on a bench or waiting for a bus is a good place to start. Don't interrupt conversations or anything, but you can kind of tell by looking at someone if they're going to respond. If they look happy and outgoing, go for it. Also most students don't mind if you have to ask for directions. Asking for directions is a good way to start a conversation or even just see how friendly a few students are.</p></li>
<li><p>I would schedule beforehand, but since it's tomorrow thats short notice. If it's a giant lecture hall, the professor probably won't even notice if you walk in and sit in the back or something. If it's a smaller class--heck, even if it's a big one--introduce yourself to the professor before class and let them know you're a prospective student. They may ask you to sit in a specific spot or ask questions so someday they can match a face to a name should you choose to attend.</p></li>
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<li><p>Both of my parents and my younger brother who's in 9th grade tagged along with me on all of my info sessions. It's most common for one parent to accompany you, possibly both, but siblings aren't as common. I think I've only ever seen a few students who haven't been with a parent.</p></li>
<li><p>Embarassingly enough, my mother did not read this board before I visited all of my schools and she took the liberty of asking every single student she encountered whether or not they liked their school etc. These conversatios could go on anywhere from 1 minute to 15, and she even decided it was a "good idea" to interrupt a girl speaking on her cell phone. This girl was polite, and hung up her phone to continue to answer my mom's questions... this was the 15 minute conversation... absolutely mortifying...</p></li>
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<p>parents-- take advice-- do not crowd the guide, do not ask the questions-- if your children are ready to go to college then they are ready to ask their own questions. And do NOT interrupt people-- it's just rude.</p>
<p>Contrary to what my response to this question would have you believe, I love my mother dearly :) she just has a tendency to not follow the standard code of conduct...</p>
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<li> It is too late to schedule one now, though I agree with cards4life who advised you to sit in on a large lecture hall. Do not barge in on the middle-- or if you do, just sit quietly in the back. Do not bring your parents into this-- this will appear rude, as otherqise you could just be mistaken for a student arriving late. Also, it would be a good thing to maybe ask the professor a few questions at the end and tell them that you enjoyed the class very much, you're a prospective student etc. Do not do this if you really didn't enjoy the lecture and have no idea what they're talking about. Also, do not do this if they don't appear personable...</li>
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<p>Most of what I said is just common sense, but hopefully it's valuable nonetheless :)</p>