<p>We heard terrific things about Earlham. Please don't get turned off by poor communication or experiences with admissions department. I've posted several times about the lousy experience we had with the admission department at my daughter's school - and I will forever be glad that I didn't let those experiences keep her from applying to the school she loves and attends. (In fact I cajoled, begged and pleaded for her to apply; in the end, it was her favorite school out of all of them). So check out Earlham!</p>
<p>And the corollary to anxiousmom's comment: the BEST admissions experience we had was with my D's first school--the college experience from hell which she happily transfered away from.</p>
<p>I am bringing up this thread again because I think it may be useful with all the upcoming summer college visits.</p>
<p>We are from Texas and are doing a two-week plus stint along the East Coast, starting in Charlottesville, Va., working up to Massachusetts and then swinging west to Rochester, NY. That will be about 10 schools in 14-15 days. I know this is not the best way to go! Would that I could break it up into a number of smaller trips, but that just isn't realistic given time constraints of my job and the cost of plane fare. My spouse will be back home, tied down with work. (We are making a separate family trip for fun another week.) </p>
<p>My thirteen-year old daughter will be coming along. We simply have no choice. Staying with another family for over two weeks isn't realistic, and her dad has very long work days. This thread has given me a lot of ideas how to approach this situation: possible diversions and incentives, and we've already had some serious heart-to-hearts about what is expected. I think it's important to "put her in control" (within reason) of aspects of the trip like choosing restaurants, where to spend free time, etc. A day at Hershey Park is definitely in the works, and other stops as well. She loves college t-shirts and we've put money for a few of those in the budget.</p>
<p>One of the interesting things is that she stayed behind with Dad when we visited Chicago and NW. She had mixed feelings about that, since she enjoyed her friends but wanted to see a part of the country that she'd never seen before after looking at our photos and souvernirs. I think that's given her a different perspective on things. We'll just have to see how things go.</p>
<p>We'll let you know how things go and would appreciate hearing from others on this thread who are planning college trips with younger siblings....also any ideas you have for making the best of the situation.</p>