My father will not let me visit colleges

Parents Forum
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<p>Your dad is wrong about the college visits. This is the number one way you can pick the college with the right “feel/atmosphere” which is really important. I went on a tour at Dartmouth and thought the kids there were stuck-up little brats (so were the parents) so I decided I would not go there. (Side note: I applied there but this was because it was my mom and dad’s alma mater. But I think I literally went into the interview and said, “I don’t want to go here”)</p>

<p>I would apply to 5-10 schools depending on your time, how much energy you want to put into it, and how much money you have to pay application fees. You definitely need options, but you also want to be able to write a unique essay each time. You also do not want to apply anywhere you don’t want to go (unless it’s a community college because you need to save the money).</p>

<p>In all honesty, this is your first task in growing up. You’re going to need to do a lot of research on your own as well as talk to your dad (maybe through other relatives) in a reasonable manner about the right way to approach admissions.</p>

<p>Good luck</p>

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<p>However, visits to non-local schools are more expensive (both time and money) than applications. It may make more sense to cast the net wider at application time, and then use the more expensive visits after acceptances and financial aid are known.</p>

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<p>“University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
University of Alabama (Just in case something goes terribly wrong financially)
UIUC (I visited yesterday by myself, and I rather liked it. Their wind tunnel facility for aero didn’t seem up to par with their other buildings . Still my strong dislike for the party atmosphere keeps me from fully appreciating it. I will definitely keep this on my list, however.)
Penn State
Purdue
Case Western Reserve
UW Madison
RPI
CMU
Cornell
UPenn (considering removing)
Princeton (considering removing)
Stanford (considering removing)”</p>

<p>TT–you realize that there are 10 pages of posts on this thread because you seem to be quite mature for a 17-year-old, and are definitely asking the right questions. And the CC folks like helping kids like you, even with differing opinions!</p>

<p>OK, first things first, UIUC. You’ve seen it now. Contrary to what you may think, you ain’t a shoo-in. Most likely you’re in with that 33 ACT (nice job BTW), but since the clout scandal, admissions has gotten real squirrelly, esp. in-state. Apply at the earliest possible date, you’ll hear (I think) around Jan 15 & if accepted you’ll have that in your back pocket, at in-state rates, still a chunk of change at near 30K out the door for incoming engineering students. BTW, I forced both my D’s to apply to UIUC, even though neither of them were enamored with the place. At that time, I figured both would be accepted (they were) and it would be a financial safety. They ended up at Iowa & UW-Madison, respectively, but not because UIUC isn’t a great school. In your situation, it’s the best bang for the buck on the board.</p>

<p>If you can handle the app fees & the work involved in applying (Ivies like to have applicants jump through many hoops), why not apply to Cornell, Penn, Princeton & Stanford? If accepted to any of them, THEN decide whether it fits in your ever-changing plans and is worth a visit. Probably this goes also for Case, CMU & RPI, even Alabama. You never know what that place might throw at you financially with your stats. </p>

<p>This is important. Get your butt out to UMich, UM-Twin Cities, UW-Madison & Purdue, even if you drive by yourself. Be immersed in all four places. Like others have said, sit in on a class, walk the downtown, go to a sporting event, hang at the Student Union, sure, even take the informational tour, but realize that these tours will paint the school in its best possible light. For you, the Big Ten may be your key to a great education at an affordable price (except Ann Arbor, HA!) :)</p>

<p>Good luck to you!</p>

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<p>You might want to pick up the book “Crazy U” and read the section on college visits. To sum up, they are all pretty much the same. As a parent, I have learned far more from the forums on this site that I learned on any college visit. Also, they are expensive, and time consuming. (Everyone needs to take off work).
Do you have money saved from a job? If so, have at it-!</p>

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<p>Loved “Crazy U” too! I haven’t learned too much on these tours - most informative part so far is seeing a few worn, freshman dorm rooms and talking to the better tour guides/student ambassadors - ask what they dislike or what they’d change about the school. Most schools love to show the newest, upperclassman apartment suites that you might obtain in a large lottery as a junior or a “display” dorm room decorated by Bed, Bath & Beyond… Lame! I joke that we should return to these dorms during mid-terms to see what the student body and dorms are really like…</p>

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<p>College visits have been beneficial for my daughter for her college search process. While it doesn’t tell you everything about the quality of instruction, it does give a better idea about the feel of a college than a virtual visit. She likes to check out the facilities, labs, and general feel of the campus. Since my daughter does not want to go to a college more than 4 hours away, our visits do not require a lot of time or money. We visit on weekends or on school holidays to minimize impact on our schedules. She uses the visit as one part of her decision process.</p>

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<p>I think that showing interest really does pays off (I think it helped my S get into a reach school by proving that he was a good fit not just another applicant. Also he applied to 2 equal level state schools, got accepted to both but a scholarship to the one he showed interest in.) Narrow down to those schools that you really want and pursue them. S e-mailed admissions with questions, attended local events. You can tell admissions that due to family circumstances you cannot visit but would like to know certain things. I think that schools realize that certain families are gung ho but others are antagonistic even.</p>

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<p>long thread is long</p>

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<p>Well, this sounds like you’re in a pretty tough situation. Please know, there are individuals out there that can help you! If you are unable to visit different colleges and universities, you still have a couple of options. </p>

<p>You can ask the schools that you’re looking to have the chair professor of the program that you’re interested in call you to speak one-on-one with you, or even set up a Skype conference with you, you guidance counselor and the Admissions Counselor at the institution, if they’re located far away. Also, many school representatives travel to high schools to meet with prospective students–that’s my job! You can talk one on one with these type of people and confer with your Guidance Counselor to talk about finding that right “fit” that you mention above- which is key to a great college experience.</p>

<p>Nonetheless, don’t loose hope! This just means you’re going to have to do your research (which it seems you’re already doing if you’re on here!). I hope you can persuade your father to visit those top schools which you’re really interested in- or once you receive letters of acceptance then you can choose three or four to visit? Would he go for that idea?</p>

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<p>Also, some schools will help to assist the cost of traveling to their institution-- check with their Admissions staff to see if they help cover the cost. Usually, they will only if you end up attending the institution, so you might want to look into your top pick first!</p>