<p>I have a few of questions:</p>
<p>1) Do I need to sign up for something with the college or just show up for tours. Is there anything else to do besides tours (and dorm visits)</p>
<p>2) Is it really worth it to visit dorm rooms and experience what non class life is like? Specifically, there's a pair of asian parents coming along with me (aka my parents)</p>
<p>3) Is there a way I let the college know I toured, aka set off a "I'm interested in your school" flag?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Go to the college's website. All colleges have info about tours and info sessions, and that will let you know if you need to register or just show up.</p>
<p>I think dorm rooms are always worth seeing. A lot of dorms can feel dingy and uninviting, which is a pretty good indicator that you shouldn't be there.</p>
<p>If the college's want you to register, you will be on their radar. They will know that you've shown interest in the school.</p>
<p>Besides the tour, try to set up an interview with a professor in your intended major. Be prepared with questions that will help you compare the strengths and opportunities among the departments. </p>
<p>Get your "friends of friends" network going, and try to find a student who would be willing to take you away from your parents and show you around, or even let you sleep in the dorm. Some colleges have a formal system of hosting, but it's not hard to find someone on your own. This will give you insight into the school's culture which is so important when you are looking for a good college match.</p>
<p>Find a concert, play, sporting event or talk that your parents can attend for part of the visit so that you have time separate from each other.</p>
<p>the above recommendations are great. a few more ideas....</p>
<p>a lot of colleges within their 'hosting' programs also allow you to attend classes with your host. while i wouldnt cut a school because of a bad class (they will run the gamut at every college), more information is always better. other schools (i know cornell used to do this) have a program where friday visitors can sit in on certain classes. with this comes my implied recommendation of visiting every school you are seriously considering at least once during the school year. </p>
<p>talk to as many students as possible. i know people who have not applied to a certain school because they didnt like their hosts. sure, talk to your hosts, but also have them introduce you to everyone on their halls. striking up random conversations with students is a good idea, too.</p>
<p>when at a school, forget the name on the sign at the entrance. a lot of people get so excited that theyre visiting [insert 'reach' school here] that it clouds their visions. i know theres often pressure from parents to go to the 'best' school (one of my tour guides was berated by a father because she chose cornell over mit), but ultimately its about going where you feel you will be best able to succeed. that might be mit and it might not.</p>
<p>edit: another idea: ask a student to show you the WORST dorms on campus. while colleges are great at showing you the ones they opened in 2004, they somehow arent as good at pointing out the few they havent gotten around to renovating (and where you will inevitably end up if you enroll) since 1979.</p>
<p>do a search in the parents forum- there is a verrrrrry long thread about this</p>
<p>A few other ideas --</p>
<ol>
<li>Walk around the surrounding area -- nice or sketchy? lots of things to do (stores, restaurants, theatres, clubs, etc.) or nothing?</li>
<li>Eat on campus</li>
<li>Pick up the student newspaper -- see what interests the students. is it culture, politics, sports, or what?</li>
<li>Look at bulletin boards -- parties, club meetings, etc.</li>
</ol>
<p>It's a good idea to do all the research you can prior to visits so you can come up with specific questions to ask at the informational meeting, the tour, or any other meeting you set up.</p>
<p>I'm sure with a little googling, you can find descriptions of the sort of things to try to find out at visits. I used to have a book on the subject (I think it covered visits and interviews), but with both my kids in college now I gave it away.</p>
<p>a few links with tips: <a href="http://www.bc.edu/admission/undergrad/process/tips/s-campusvisit/%5B/url%5D">http://www.bc.edu/admission/undergrad/process/tips/s-campusvisit/</a>
<a href="http://education.yahoo.com/college/essentials/articles/college/campus_visit.html%5B/url%5D">http://education.yahoo.com/college/essentials/articles/college/campus_visit.html</a>
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=33248%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=33248</a></p>
<p>Make sure you check not only the school but also the town - the feel of place, what it has to offer, how easy it is or isn't to get around, how safe it is, etc.</p>
<p>thanks for replying!</p>
<p>The college will know that you went on the tour, you usually have to fill out some info before the tour starts. Also make sure and ask lots of questions, you may feel silly, but its the only way to get the most out of your experience there and you don't want to be wasting your time.</p>