<p>Is it really useful to visit colleges before matriculating? I still dno't know where I've gotten in, but I need to plan my trip soon... My dad seems to think that it would be useless--CC has much more info to select a college than the "rosy" picture they show you if you visit for a couple of days. But then again, I don't know many kids who matriculate in colleges that they don't visit first...</p>
<p>go look at the place you may be for the next 4 years</p>
<p>shouldn't you know this after 2153 posts???</p>
<p>I think it is very useful to visit. See what you think of the campus and the surrounding area, the dorm rooms, the food, the other students, the general atmosphere. I've heard of too many kids who have never visited, come to the college for orientation, and immediately feel they made a mistake.</p>
<p>My son's choice came down to two colleges which he hadn't physically visited (had only watched the Collegiate Choice videotaped tours). He thought he preferred one until he visited; he didn't like the location, the town, or the students that much (seemed basically interested in partying and athletics). The other place ended up having a nicer campus closer to restaurants and accessible to a more interesting city, incredibly good food, and students that he felt much more sympatico with. It was definitely worth the money to have him visit.</p>