<p>We are planning a college visiting trip to the midwest over the extended Labor Day weekend, and had thought this would be a good time because most colleges are in session by then. From a scheduling perspective, the best day for us to visit Grinnell would be Saturday of that weekend. However, it looks like admissions is closed that day - no tours or information sessions - though there would be a few home sporting events that look fun. </p>
<p>Any suggestions about how to make the visit worthwhile, even without the benefit of the admissions events?</p>
<p>On further thought, we are thinking of rearranging the order of colleges on our trip so that we can fit in a weekday visit to Grinnell (with tour and info. session). Looks to good to miss! Thanks for considering the question, however.</p>
<p>Grinnell has classes on Labor Day (odd, I know, but as consolation keep in mind they get a two-week fall break) so maybe that will influence your schedule. If you can’t make it on a day when class is in session, I think you will find students very friendly and willing to answer your questions. But there is no substitute for visiting the school when you can attend class, since the small classes and extensive prof-student interaction is one of Grinnell’s hallmarks.</p>
<p>We made an extended college tour like the one you are planning and Grinnell had to be Saturday. It was the worst college visit we had–not negative information/vibe, just no information. Clearly a big party the night before (based on the number of red cups laying on the ground.) That is not a big negative, but everyone was sleeping it off–there was no one to meet and there was no way to get a sense of the social environment</p>
<p>We ended up flying S1 back for an admitted students weekend because it was perhaps the best school he got into. He still decided not to attend and I cannot help but think that the poorly scheduled visit contributed to his “meh” attitude re the school.</p>
<p>Lots of kids that age sleep until noon or later on weekends even if they haven’t been partying. Weekend visits to any campus are probably a last resort. BTW, I think the October break is one week and the April break is two weeks.</p>
<p>Thank you for the responses. Picturing those red cups strewn about: a classic college image! We’ll plan to visit Grinnell on a weekday. Visiting when college is in session can be tricky if you are coming a long distance and don’t want to miss classes at your own school.</p>
<p>We used out February and April vacations for visits and then did the rest in the summer–really not ideal, but better than nothing. Based on those visits, he felt he could decide where he wanted to apply and then when he had his acceptances we visited his favorites using the April break plus an additional week we just took him out of classes. At that point it was more important for him to get a good look at colleges, we thought, than to have a few more days in high school classes. His teachers were great about it.</p>
<p>Whoops, Bethievt is right, as usual, in post #5. One week break in the fall, two weeks spring break. Sorry!</p>
<p>Dairy State K8 And then there’s the huge winter break! Invite them home with friends or suggest they fimd a job! Or both.</p>