<p>my parents have basically said we can only go visit two colleges that are close-by, but so many colleges i'm also interested are too far so i won't be able to look at them! i figure i'll apply to the far away places i like, and then my parents say if i get good financial aid to them (that's basically the only way i'll be able accept a college in their current view), we can visit before i decide. so, any advice about whether this is a good strategy? what are some ways to find out what's said on tours and capture the experience of a visit? thanks</p>
<p>Well. . .it's only a good strategy if your target schools are all large universities with similar offerings and they offer no bonus admission points for "demonstrated interest." Otherwise it's not such a great strategy.</p>
<p>First tip. . .get your parents to okay three close visits, and choose them very carefully. If you aren't sure about large uni vs LAC, visit the top example of each in your area. One good mix would be a large public uni, a mid-size private uni and a small liberal arts school. If you are already sold on a particular type of school, make sure you visit the best regional examples of that type.</p>
<p>Second. . .are any of your friends visiting schools you like? Give them some questions to ask and make them take notes, or at least send you e-mails after each visit. Better yet. . .tag along on their trips.</p>
<p>Finally, if you are interested in any LAC or mid-sized uni where visits and demonstrated interest appear to be factors in admission, make some personal contact with your regional rep or a rep in the admissions office so they know you are seriously interested in their school. Opportunites may be at local or regional college fairs, when reps visit high schools they like in your area, or via phone or e-mail.</p>
<p>I'd add to what reidm said that you can ask the LACs or U's to put you in contact with students or alums in your area. The alum "interview" offered by many schools is just pretext to make personal contact with students, so schools do understand that contact is important.</p>
<p>There is a company that has videos of campus tours; they just took a videocamera on the standard tour and filmed it. They are more like home videos than slick productions, but you'll see just what you would have seen if you'd been on the tour that day. <a href="http://www.collegiatechoice.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.collegiatechoice.com/</a></p>
<p>I'd also recommend getting one of the "insiders" guides to the colleges. Even if it doesn't list all the ones you're interested in, look at what students say they like/dislike about their college. Begin to form a list of what you want in a college, and what you'd like to avoid. For example want big semester-abroad program, assigned advisor, students live on/near campus, don't want rural area. Then you can compare the colleges you are considering against your list which is a much better approach to choosing colleges than that used by many people who are only interested in "brand-name" colleges regardless of whether they are a fit for the student.</p>
<p>It sounds like financial aid will play a big part in your college decision. You should begin now by having your parents fill out one of the online EFC calculators and see if they will pay that. Many schools don't even meet 100% of calculated need (cost - EFC = need), so if your parents won't pay the EFC you're starting off in a deep hole. And the mix of loans/grants/work-study used to meet need varies from school to school, so strategically make sure you apply to a few schools that are peers so you can negotiate the financial aid (eg you prefer A but B gives you a much better offer; your parents can call A and politely mention the offer from B, that such a big difference will have to play a role in your decsion, can they match it?). </p>
<p>Financial aid is a big topic and you should get more info since it sounds like its very important in your college choice. I recommend reading thru some of the books about college financial aid NOW so that you make the right choices rather than thinking next April "I wish we had done X, Y, Z".</p>