@homerdog, I am following your thread about merit aid. Most on CC would tell you that sophomore year is
not too early, but summer is not ideal for visits as there won’t be many students around.
If you make it to Nashville you should consider adding the 2 hour drive to Hendrix College - even if you don’t make the visit - consider it as a super high merit $ school that meets most of your criteria. After acceptance Hendrix will (did this year) offer you $500 in additional merit if your S visits (or visits again). It is a CTCL school.