<p>Hello there! This is a pretty neat site, I'm glad I came across it!</p>
<p>I am a junior from California, and I'm really interested in schools on the east coast, particularly near Boston and DC, but I've never actually visited any colleges there and I know I am not going to have the resources to do so before I choose a school.
Sure, there's a lot of information out there on the web about educational programs, sports, etc. but what about general things such as what it's like to live on campus or even what type of food you can find and where? Can these questions only be answered with a campus visit?</p>
<p>I'm currently looking at the University of Maryland, Boston U and the University of Delaware, as they have all the programs I am interested in. Would it be unwise to shoot for these schools if I really don't know what it's like on campus?</p>
<p>Not necessarily, there are a couple sources. You can read books like Fiske’s Guide To Colleges and Princeton Review’s Best Colleges. You can watch college tour videos on [theU.com</a> Online - College campus video tours, Online student reviews and info about campus life.](<a href=“http://www.theu.com%5DtheU.com”>http://www.theu.com) or [Welcome</a> to YOUniversityTV, the College and Careers Portal | YOUniversityTV](<a href=“http://www.youniversity.tv%5DWelcome”>http://www.youniversity.tv) or read student reviews on <a href=“http://www”>www</a>. studentreviews.com (beware that most of them tend to lean towards negative cause people who hate the school like to rant there)</p>
<p>I think you should put them on your list but read those books that Pierre suggests and look at the video tours. Even if the video has a negative bias you still get to see the campus and gather other information. But, I am a believer that you need to see the campus, dorms, and visit a class before you attend. The risk of not being happy and 3,000 miles away is too great. My kid went from LA to Miami and checked it out in advance so that he would be more informed for his descision. Even then he missed some things. My second kid is now beginning the application process and he has requested to visit certain schools. He wants to be sure he fits in and gets a first hand view of the place.</p>
<p>Another thing you can do is visit local schools that range in different sizes (large, medium, small) and location (rural, city) and type (small liberal arts college, large public university) so you can get a feel of what you want.</p>
<p>But ultimately a campus tour is necessary before you should commit to a college (unless that’s not financially possible)</p>
<p>Try collegiate choice walking tours. The Dvds are about $15 each. We have used this as a precursor to visits especially when you want to narrow down your list. Once you know which colleges interest you then you can plan visits or wait till acceptances. We have found that it really is as if you had a relative videotape a visit and send you the dvd. Atleast it is cheaper than flying there and you may find it as helpful as we did.</p>
<p>Why not apply and if you get in and get a decent financial aid package, then go visit your top two or three? You’re less likely to ‘fall in love’ with some place that may not love you back. There are lots of resources on-line and elsewhere, as mentioned above, to help you decide where to submit applications.</p>
<p>Go online and Google their campus newspapers. I think the quality and tone of a campus paper, in addition to its content, can give you some pretty good impressions of the student vibe on campus.</p>