<p>I am from the East Coast, not abroad, but my D and I did a 6 college in days trip last April. None of them were in the same city, so we could not visit two in one day, but I think this would be possible, but not ideal, if the two colleges were very close together. I would definitely recommend finalizing your intinerary and schedulin information sessions, tours, and perhaps interviews at some schools. Some schools require advance reservations for tours and info sessions while others don't - you can check the admissions websites. The school that was furthest away interviewed my D last spring, because we explained that we would not be able to return when she was a senior, and this is definitely even more true in your D's case. Also, I would recommend making motel reservations ahead of time too. It will make your life much easier if you don't have to worry about finding a motel, or getting stuck with a really expensive one. You can almost always cancel without penalty until close to planned arrival time, so if your plans change you won't be penalized.</p>
<p>momrath, what are Collegiate choice videos?</p>
<p>Motheroftwo, yes, we did make hotel arrangements. I definitely wouldn't want to go searching for a place to stay after a long, hard day campus hopping! :)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.collegiatechoice.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.collegiatechoice.com/</a></p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>damom,<br>
Here's what I do when I visit a college with my kids (I'm working with Junior son now) and don't expect to be able to see it again before they apply. </p>
<p>1) Research to make sure it has the major(s) and students grades are within the possible range. My kids will never see the ivy's, because there is absolutely no chance they would get in. We're okay with that. Here's an excellent search engine: <a href="http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool/index.asp%5B/url%5D">http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool/index.asp</a> . Make sure you look at all the information to see if it's what (you think!) your daughter wants.</p>
<p>2) Get all the information you can when you visit. Many colleges only take so many people at a time for their tours and do fill up. It's easier to back out then drive a few hours and find that they can't fit you in. Take the official tour, go to the information session and try to talk to both an admissions officer and a professor or at least a student in the area your daughter is interested in. Sometimes colleges want an interview but will not offer it, you have to ask for one. </p>
<p>My son is interested in computers and we've made the mistake of not talking with anyone in his interest area and he's come away with the (wrong) impression that that college didn't have a good computer science program. The personalites of most computer oriented people I know just don't lend themselves to being tour guides so he tends to think that all the people at the college are like our perky tour guides, usually majoring in a humanity. Make sure to check out the main academic building where your student will take the majority of their classes.</p>
<p>Eat a meal on campus. While the food is usually not a make or break item, sitting it the midst of the students will give you a good idea of feel of the school. Sitting in on classes is good, but time consuming. Every college we've visited has requested prior notice if we want to do that and then has given us classes where that would be allowed. </p>
<p>3) Take pictures while you are there and notes right after you've visited the college. It's amazing how they tend to blend together after awhile.</p>
<p>4) For hotels and driving advice, ask on this forum or the parents cafe. We've got our agents stationed EVERYWHERE and it we have more answers then you have questions!</p>
<p>4.)</p>
<p>A belated thank you for all this good advice!</p>
<p>And one more thing - don't forget to post a trip report!</p>