<p>Your trip was an excellent idea. She may have been overloaded with new information and experiences but that means when she does the serious college shopping later she will not be overwhelmed with the whole concept. She’ll have the concepts about what is the same and different. Also more motivation to get the grades for a school she really wants. I would expose her to other colleges and universities closer to home over the next couple of years just so she realizes there are equally nice places to go to college. I’m curious about the Montana fascination- I can think of many places with better weather and great natural features. Perhaps the family vacations can incorporate some trips to places that she would enjoy just as much.</p>
<p>It is good to look at various colleges when opportunities present themselves. An hour spent going through a campus when on a family vacation to see what it looks like over the years helps in getting the concept of what they are like. You can only do so much online. </p>