<p>Mostly to parents who have been there, I guess: Any thoughts on whether the ORDER of schools you visit after acceptances affects how your kid views the school? D is fortunate enough to have a handful of offers at this point, perhaps one or 2 more by April. We need to map out the trip, and I'm wondering if the schools her Dad and I would (very secretly) prefer to have her attend should be at the beginning of the road trip or the end? We are on the West Coast, visiting mainly east coast schools. Logically, I would think visit-burnout suggests we put the favorites early on the schedule. Should we plan for 2 separate trips with a bit of recovery time in between? Pricier, but if that's a good strategy, probably worth it? Thanks!</p>
<p>Do you know if the colleges to which your D was/may be accepted have a special weekend in the spring set aside for accepted students to visit? That would certainly be a consideration in scheduling a return visit. My kids found those weekends helpful in their decision making.</p>
<p>Yes, we’re definitely trying to hit the Admitted Students Weekends or Days. I know that’s ideal as I’m sure the schools really roll out the red carpet then. Very seductive!</p>
<p>I’m wondering if the schools her Dad and I would (very secretly) prefer to have her attend should be at the beginning of the road trip or the end?</p>
<p>I would say …maybe one of your favs at the beginning, but not all at the beginning. But, don’t wait until the end, either (because at that point, D may say she doesn’t want to bother visiting).</p>
<p>So, ahead of time, I would advise my child to keep an open mind during the visits, and get an agreement that all schools will be visited unless everyone decides to cancel a visit.</p>
<p>I’d also keep abreast of the weather forecast. If you and your H’s preferred schools prefer will be visited on bad-weather days, I’d move those visits. LOL</p>
<p>Just wanted to add…</p>
<p>I’m a big believer in this strategy…</p>
<p>1) Find out the which is the prettiest approach to a school. Most schools have one or two pretty entrances, and one or two “so/so” entrances. </p>
<p>2) Find out where the off-campus hangouts are. Drive by them after you leave the campus. IF possible, stop for a snack, beverage, or meal.</p>
<p>3) See if your child can “sit in” some interesting classes. If the school has an honors program, sometimes they can arrange this. Or, the department head or the admissions office can arrange.</p>
<p>4) Visit the departments of your child’s likely major. If possible, arrange an appt with the dept head or the student services director.</p>
<p>5) Visit the housing choices (I’m always surprised how many schools do not include their dorms on their tours. )</p>
<p>6) Check out the various on-campus dining venues. If possible, eat a meal at one.</p>
<p>If it were me, I’d put a fave at the front and a fave at the end, so that all the others blend together in the mushy middle.</p>
<p>Just a few thoughts on my only experience (so far!). First of all, in hindsight it was great that DS was waitlisted at my personal fave. I mentally dropped it like a hot potato. (I’m very big on the “wasn’t meant to be” line of thinking.) I also feel fortunate that after all the news was in on the acceptance/merit aid front, DS had pretty much narrowed it down to two. They were geographically close, so he did back-to-back overnights at them. I really wasn’t trying to influence him, but even if I had been, I don’t think order would have mattered. It was great being able to spend a significant amount of time at both right together. Great opportunity to compare/contrast. At the end of the weekend he had a clear preference. Check and done.</p>
<p>How many schools will you visit? I think that’d be a bigger consideration for whether you can fit them into a single trip or split them up.</p>
<p>ingerup: At this point, 4 for sure, as 2 have pretty much dropped off the list. They were safeties that she wasn’t crazy about the first time (and neither were H and I). Then there are the additional ones that she might hear good news from by early April. (Maybe not.) I’m guessing no more than 5-6 total. Only two are within driving distance of each other, so that means coordinating flights. My original thoughts were like YOUDONTSAY’s remarks to “bookend” the trip with the faves. And doing the overnights is really key I think. If she doesn’t like her parents’ faves after the overnights, we’ll all know she at least took a good look at them.</p>
<p>Her school is pretty good about letting seniors take the time off they need for visits, and give the kids a pretty long April break—7 school days off. She will most likely need to take a full 2 weeks off- which would be just missing an additional 3 days. </p>
<p>I love the comment about the weather----that’s why we’re not making this trip any sooner than April! I know it would color MY impression of a place, as much as I would hope it wouldn’t! Schools are midatlantic, South East, so April should be a perfect time to see the schools in nearly full-bloom.</p>
<p>Mom2collegekids: Fabulous game plan, thanks so much!</p>
<p>*I’d also keep abreast of the weather forecast. If you and your H’s preferred schools prefer will be visited on bad-weather days, I’d move those visits. LOL *</p>
<p>good heavens…what did I type…</p>
<p>should be…</p>
<p>…If you and your H’s preferred schools will be visited on bad-weather days, I’d move those visits. LOL</p>
<p>LOL, I knew what you meant! We all think better than we type!</p>
<p>Just to offer a different viewpoint on Admitted Student Weekends/Days, some students can feel a little overwhelmed by them. Personally, D prefers a smaller, personalized visit where it may not feel as intimidating and structured. This way, your time can be spent exploring only the things you want to, not what is on the prepared agenda. It can allow for a better use of your time. I am not saying that an Admitted Students weekend/day is not helpful, any follow up visit is helpful, only that not every student likes that type of venue. Something to consider.</p>
<p>Whatever you decide, visiting a class, meeting with a professor and lunch with a student should be on your list. As far as how to set up the order of visits, my guess is it may not have as much of an impact as you might think. There is a good chance that your D already knows where she does not want to go and where she prefers so the order of visit may not make a difference. Good luck!</p>
<p>Have to somewhat second Bobby. I’ve heard some kids and parents say they thought the admitted students weekends were a little too glossy–that the actual school experience didn’t live up to what was shown over that one weekend (with invariably great weather!). I also really doubt order will matter. Best to set the trip(s) up so as to make the most logistic sense.</p>
<p>OP: If you are visiting more than two schools, which you are, I strongly recommend you make a list of what you want to evaluate and have a checklist with a score scale (e.g. 0 - 10). Once you set foot on a campus, it is easy to get lost in the details and forget to checkout the important stuff. A lot of this research can also be done online using other resources, so you may want to start your trip with a scored checklist and you can update the score if a personal visit changes your opinion.</p>