<p>^I agree unless you have a kid who hates the visits starting junior year is ideal - as is doing it in small bites. We never saw more than four colleges per visit never more than two a day, usually just one. We always did a tour and info session and almost always ate in a dining hall.</p>
<p>Agree with pghmomof2! The benefits of early visits manifest themselves later in the process. My daughter did a lot of visits junior year, and so, already had a solid list of colleges that had passed her “visit test,” before her senior year started. And senior year is so busy, with applications, EC’s and AP classes… It is nice to know she already has some good choices lined up.</p>
<p>I think the more exposure to colleges you can provide your children, the better. My kids have done summer programs on college campuses since 6th grade. I typically work through spring break, so we have not made any April visits. Between college road shows, summer visits, and residential programs, my kids have been able to get the sense of different schools. Early visits may not always identify the perfect school, but they can help to identify possibilities or weed some out. (That said, we are talking about teenagers who can and will change their minds at the drop of a hat!)</p>
<p>OMG, EK, my D notices the squirrels at each campus! I have to forward this to her.</p>
<p>We have similar reactions to campus visits - she has a rough idea where she might want to apply, and a few have dropped off the list based on visits, but most have stayed on the list. It is helping to prioritize colleges a bit in her mind. We only have a 2 day spring break, and it is in the middle of sports season, so we are trying with the very few days off during the rest of the year.</p>
<p>Also have them determine what are absolute must haves in a school, such as specific Club Sport or a D1 football team and weed out schools that don’t meet those. (size & rural/urban can also be factors). D1 crossed off schools she liked if they did not have an Equestrian Team. While it sounds trivial to some, it was quite important to her. Our neighbor (a girl) would only consider schools with D1 football, as she wanted to attend big games.</p>
<p>I know this may sound odd to some of you, but my D14 has already started the college tour process… it began last year, in her freshman year… we also did a exploring college options event in May. Her top choice changed from that 2 hour event…</p>
<p>My dad took her to 6 schools in NC(public and private LAC’s) in August… She has decided that big schools and those in rural settings are not for her…</p>
<p>Heading to Vassar for an open house on Nov 11th… I am feeling like this might be a waste d/t the comments discussed here about open houses.</p>
<p>“Modern Family” last night had an amusing take on a college visit to the dad’s school.</p>
<p>We also started early. We kept the actual 9th and 10th grade visits very age-appropriate. Over time, we limited the number of visits on any one trip- otherwise, they all turn to mush in a kid’s memory. </p>
<p>I agree jr year is a good time- but it’s also important to be on campus when school is in session and IMO, when there aren’t tons of kids in the admissions waiting room. But, even for juniors, too many visits- or too strenuous visits- can lead to overload.</p>
<p>Some kids take more time to warm up to ideas, so I think not knowing yet what is the “ONE” is both healthy and probably a function of a thoughtful D. She is absorbing data with every visit, whether it seems to turn on the light bulb or not, and so you should keep on the path. all of this information will make her better informed to make a good list of schools next summer or early sr. year. You sound like a great parent, who is making me feel like I better get with the program and start touring schools with my D . . .</p>
<p>We started looking seriously in spring of Soph years. But the youngest was getting exposure because she was being toted to her sisters’ college visiting too. Small bits and taking it easy, for the e arlier visits, makes the whole thing way less stressful. </p>
<p>We always eat in the dining hall; you get to see & pick up a bit more “vibe” also they are friendly for familes with kids if there are younger ones.</p>
<p>OP - It’s great that you are touring early, for a sampling. No biggie if your D has not seen “the one” yet… she may still be priorities for major and other factors for a while. </p>
<p>I added a post recently in a related thread (CA family doing East Coast college tour). We liked combining some college visits with spring break vacation. Low key, fun.</p>