<p>I am wondering when is ordering a plane ticket the proper time to do so in order to visit schools. </p>
<p>Should I do it before applying or after receiving a decision?</p>
<p>There have been numerous threads on this topic. Logistics is often the determining factor. For example, if you play a spring sport then waiting to visit colleges until after you are accepted is a problem. But if spring is a quiet time and you only need to visit two or three colleges then it can work out OK.</p>
<p>If you have limited means, it may be best to visit after admissions/finaid decisions are offered. That way you can narrow down and prioritize your choices to perhaps the top 3 or 4 and visit them. I would make every effort to visit those within easy driving distance(3-5 hrs) during the application process.</p>
<p>Remember, while campus visits are usually useful they are not absolutely essential. A visit on a cold, rainy day will give you a very different picture of the college vs a visit on a warm, sunny day. Same college-different opinion. And most students in my day(think mid 1960's) did not visit our out of state college choices and we did not have the internet either.</p>
<p>Do try to visit while classes are in session however and not during term or mid-term breaks. And while on campus go beyond the student led tour and visit some of the academic buildings, particularly ones which house the departments you are interested in. Faculty members and staff will often go out of their way to greet you. I have done this on a number of occasions where student and parents are in the building. Unfortunately it happens far to infrequently.</p>