How many days to tour 3 schools (far away)?

<p>I've been trying to plan son's trip to visit U of AL, U of TX Austin (admitted to both) and maybe also Rice U (Houston). There is a deadline tonight for $99 fares (one way) and I just can't seem to figure out how long to plan for this.</p>

<p>The only 'far away' school tours we've done have been over the summer when time was not such an issue (& we could stay w/relatives at least some of the time to defer cost). </p>

<p>Funds are tight but I really want son to have a good (not rushed or tired) experience with these schools (U of AL -- nearly a free ride--want him to like it! U of TX--ranked v. high in his major--an unexpected opportunity).</p>

<p>If anyone had any thoughts -- from general to specific -- as to whether we should take 3 days or 4 days for this, that would be great. Son can take time from school (I guess). He's having to submit his mid-term grades to a few schools, but is done w/his test. </p>

<p>Btw, we are from NJ. </p>

<p>Sorry for the long post...just trying to figure this out. Thanks.</p>

<p>You will need at least one day for UT-Austin, and one for Rice (since it is a 3-hour drive there, and a 3-hour drive back.) (Edit - unless you fly into Houston, rent a car to drive to Austin, then fly out of Austin?) Either way, you need 2 days to see the two schools. U of AL another day, then some amount of time to get from Austin/houston to Alabama. I'm thinking 4 days min. JMHO</p>

<p>Are you talking about Univ of Alabama? Isn't that about a 10 hour drive from there to Houston? </p>

<p>Maybe you could fly into Austin early morning, spend one day and night there, drive to Houston day 2 and spend the rest of the day and a night there. It's about a three hour drive from Austin to Houston but the traffic in Houston can be really bad. </p>

<p>Could you fly from Houston to somewhere in Alabama? (I don't know much about Alabama) If you drive you will need to allow one day just for driving and then another day for touring the campus and all. Then you can fly back home from Alabama. </p>

<p>I would say at least 5 days. I don't like driving long distances so I would probably do Texas in one trip and Alabama in another trip.</p>

<p>You can fly from Houston to Birmingham.</p>

<p>Where are you starting from? The time zone can make a difference in what's do-able in the first day.</p>

<p>OTOH, do you want him to fall in love with Rice before he is admitted? When is this trip? Can you do 2 - Austin and 'Bama, then Houston alone?</p>

<p>Thanks for those insights. Just had a few moments of being ovewhelmed with the travel + college 'pre-decision' stuff. Talked to son -- he definitely only wants to visit U of TX & U of AL. No go on Rice now ("I want a big school with a good football program!") at this point, plus he hasn't been admitted, yet (it's a reach, I thought). I just loved the idea of a smaller school w/a strong comp sci program for him, but since he finished his apps in August, he's started leaning much more strongly to big schools. So, as dragonmom suggested, will put Rice off until/if he is admitted.</p>

<p>So, figure we'll leave from Philly early on a Tues afternoon (take son out of school after substantive classes are done) -- fly into Austin to get a flavor of the nightlife. Then tour U of TX on Wed, fly to Birmingham last Wed afernoon & get hotel & car. Then, next morn, drive to Tuscaloosa (45 min) & tour/visit all day, flying home later Thurs night. </p>

<p>I hope this plan works & is not too stressful. </p>

<p>The experienced, intelligent and generously helpful CC folks have made this a much more manageable process! (plus, I honestly would not have considered these schools -- including son's only 'near free ride' at U of AL -- without CC).</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>If he gets in to Rice later, you can send him on his own or visit with. If it's a school of interest and the lack of football is a problem, they sure hold their own in baseball plus wild large numbers participation in intermurals.</p>