<p>do the representative approach, if you can, before applying. College tour junior year we did a regional loop and tried all types of schools LACs, trade schools, big universities…etc. We learned that S would hate being in a small town rural environment (we fled Vassar/Bard without completing a tour or interview at either school) but schools in NYC were found to be unattractive too. Learned that moderate sized in suburban or laid back urban environment was good–he seemed attracted to being close to yet protected from urban life. He also has some requirements about facilities for art. then…look at web pages/descriptions to narrow down applications and I guess if/when accepted he will visit the ones he hasn’t seen yet.</p>
<p>The only situation I believe a student should visit a school before acceptances is if they are applying ED … applying ED without having seen the school seems like a huge risk to me (I am a huge believer in “fit”). Outside of ED I view early visits more to settle the parameters of the school (big/small, urban/rural, research/LAC, etc) rather than checking out specific schools.</p>
<p>^^^ good point</p>