<p>I am surprised to see some of the 2010 families have already come up with a "working" list of colleges.</p>
<p>Well DadII, we have a working list because my family's schedule requires advance planning for visits.</p>
<p>We (she) also has a working list, not only to better plan visits, but to if and how many SAT IIs may be needed.</p>
<p>That's a good point, Dtex. </p>
<p>DadII, you don't have a preliminary list of schools to visit even?</p>
<p>Definitely, the SAT IIs are a consideration. We do not have a complete list, but we do know what D's reaches will be.</p>
<p>Me in a tutu. :eek: I mean :eek:. I don't believe a spandex dam however buttressed could hold back what I'd be putting in. I do like the wand idea , though. ;)</p>
<p>Remember, I'm an honorary '10 parent as I have my niece to shepherd through this cycle.</p>
<p>Well Curm, if you're an honorary member, you've got to show up sometimes! So glad I could lure you in.</p>
<p>well, cur, since you'll be a fairy, you can magically make that tutu fit (and look great to boot).</p>
<p>We'll take you as an honorary parent if you show up and post. We need sage advice.</p>
<p>zoosermom, we don't have a list as of right now. Would like to have some idea of GPA and standard test results first. </p>
<p>As in DD's case, we would rather visit schools after acceptance. Budget limitations.</p>
<p>S2 is contemplating a D-III sport, so he wants to get an idea of schools where the academics and athletics are a good fit. A few early visits have also helped to get him focused on his goals. Admissions folks have a way of getting through to 16 yos that parents don't. ;)</p>
<p>Now that he has a couple of schools he really likes, and knows what criteria are important to him, he's going to do lots of looking online to find other schools with similar philosophies/programs so we can the most of the visits we can afford to make.</p>
<p>Curm, your niece is pretty darned lucky!!</p>
<p>Curmudgeon, can the college fairy come and visit my S and convince him that junior year will be much more peaceful if he tackles the grades first and his social/love life second?</p>
<p>We have a large working list of schools because he knows he wants a city, he wants East or West Coast and he wants a few particular areas of interest. This is where the value of visiting with his big bro has helped him out. Not us, of course-- all of these things are exactly the opposite of what S1 looked for in a school. How many others has this happened to? No crossover!</p>
<p>
[quote]
Curmudgeon, can the college fairy come and visit my S and convince him that junior year will be much more peaceful if he tackles the grades first and his social/love life second?
[/quote]
I don't have a son, but I was one. Based on my foggy memory and a careful reading of this board for years , I strongly suggest an appreciation of the absurd, a short memory, a long whip, and a sturdy chair.</p>
<p>Dad II and others, if the student is interested in doing college visits, you don't actually have to physically visit. Sites like collegeboard can suggest matches and many college sites have virtual tours and plenty of other info to occupy too much of ones time :-) We are also going to at least one fair this fall and D will research the colleges ahead of time, there are several at the fair in which she had previously expressed interest. Even going to these fairs cold can give you some thoughts to ponder.</p>
<p>Dad II - I have started researching schools for D because she isn't particularly interested yet, so I wouldn't say we have a real list yet. What we have are a bunch of schools that each has something that she wants. We're using this trip for D to become familiar with some schools in an area where she might like to attend school. Everyone has their own way of choosing schools - many people like to see the schools before they apply, others decide to wait until after the acceptances come in. You have to do whatever is best for you and your family.</p>
<p>Like CountingDown's S, I'm hoping my D will find a school or two that she likes and that she'll be able to look online for schools that are similar. We don't have much time to visit schools, but we do have proximity since we live in the northeast. There are many schools that we'll be able to visit on day trips or overnight - we aren't flying anywhere as she has no interest in going across the country.</p>
<p>LIMom, we're doing the day trip experience too, and I know my daughter is not going to go far away.</p>
<p>My daughter doesn't want to go too far from family either. However she is looking in cities where the grandparents live or where there are other close relatives. She wants to have home cooked meals on a semi regular basis, I guess.</p>
<p>yes my D also wants to stay fairly close. I went 6 hours from home (not even applying to schools in Boston/Cambridge when I lived in a suburb) and I think D will stay even closer although she does have a few farther away, a stretch of a longgg day's drive.</p>
<p>Another good opportunity to talk to college adcoms and other reps is if they visit your school. We have TONS of colleges come during the fall, unfortunately it is during the day and D isn't eager to miss classes.</p>
<p>Funny that are Ds all have that in common. Mine is willing to look from Virginia to New Hampshire along the east coast. She may expand her search, but I doubt it. </p>
<p>Jackief - I believe lots of colleges come visit D's school too - but like your D, mine doesn't like to miss classes, so I doubt she'll take advantage of the opportunities.</p>
<p>LIMOM, I'm hoping that if it is a school she is really interested in, she will attend the meeting or at least pop in and introduce herself to the adcom and say she needs to get to class. Since most schools are close it is only the few distant ones we probably won't visit, and those I think we will be able to meet through fairs.</p>
<p>Enjoy your trip! Looking forward to your impressions! Besides Dartmouth I don't remember where else you are visiting, maybe Tufts?</p>