<p>well their vacation times are different than ours, so if you go during your own spring break classes should be running</p>
<p>yournamehere--</p>
<p>It depends on the school. For some, it's best to make an appointment for a specific tour. (Some tours around lunchtime might include a free lunch at the school's dining hall.) Check out the academic calendars to determine when the schools are in session. Some high schools might observe holidays that the colleges don't.</p>
<p>Time it however you need to to make visits during the school year of each college. I had to start in spring of my junior year because my searching took me 3/4 across the country east-west and 1/2 north-south. In my case, this has meant three seperate trips, two of which are completed. However, I made the mistake of visiting a college right before its spring break and now, before I can consider if I want to go there, I will have to go back during normal school session. I lost so much of the feel by arriving when many of the students were gone, the classes I could have attended were cancelled due to the upcoming break, and the dorms were a mess from students packing. I would't recommend that to anyone. I just did not give the school a fair chance with the timing of this visit. </p>
<p>I visited one college during the summer, my reach school. I purposely did this so I wouldn't fall too much in love with the college. If I'm accepted, I'll have to travel back out (a little under 1/2 across the country east-west).</p>
<p>I feel the main advantage to the timing of my visits during spring of junior year is that I was able to interview at schools who allow junior year interviews, I was given applications to fill out over the summer, and I therefore went into senior year with way, way less stress.</p>
<p>In response to the whole - when is it best to visit colleges - question, I would definitly say to start your junior spring. You can be looking into colleges before then, but don't visit earlier than that, because you are a different person as a senior in high school than you were as a freshman. Also, definitly agree with Carpe Aeternum - give the school a chance by visiting during times when school's are actually in session and not getting ready for a break. I visited the college I am now attending (and very happy with) twice times. One time, I visited a friend, just to check out the situation - very informal. The second time, was spring of my senior year, after I had been accepted - for a scholarship weekend.
High school students really need to visit their top school a couple of times if possible, just so they can really confirm if it fits. On the other hand, I don't think that it's the end of the world to decide on a college and then after one year there, to decide you need to transfer... Students just shouldn't get overly stressed out about it. Just weigh the options and go for what you feel is right.</p>
<p>Little mother- i got a couple of emails from colleges and they are holding events on their campuses. but idk if i should go or not (i mean if it's going to be helpful in deciding whether or not the school is a fit for me). actually, i'm sure if they are even legitimate, i have my doubts</p>
<p>also, if i just go to a college on a random day, will i be able to get a tour guide or something? do you guys recommend going by appointment or just randomly??</p>
<p>I didn't read all the posts, but I did see some people recommending to visit during the summer. IMHO, the best time to visit a school is during the school year when the normal student population is in session and on a weekday. This gives you the advantage of seeing the school in action, getting a good idea of the student body and having the possibility of sitting in on some classes. We found this was the best way to gauge a school. When we went on weekend tours, we found the campus dead (due to students going home or sleeping late and hanging in their dorms) and really couldn't get a good feel for what it would be like on a normal day. We also couldn't see any classes in session.</p>
<p>I also think it is good to roam the campus after the tour, talk to other students, and just hang out to see how you feel in that environment. That is what we did and it really made a big difference.</p>
<p>yournamehere--</p>
<p>You can check to see if the events are legit by checking the events calendars on the schools' websites. Many schools hold prospective student days when they're prepared to answer all of our questions. But if you're interested in avoiding crowds, you can go on a day when those events aren't scheduled.</p>
<p>We started during sophomore year, just to get a feel of what it was like. We would visit a place or two if we were nearby on vacation or whatever. I think it was beneficial. I think it gave my D a chance to see a bunch of different places, some of which got apps from her later on, some that did not. She (and we) got better at doing the visits, by learning the right and important questions to ask and how to read the body language and unspoken replies of the admissions reps. She learned what she did not like, which is probably as important as what she did like. We even went back to some of the schools a few times! I am the type of person who likes to see everything out there before I commit, and , interestingly, the school she went to was one of the last ones, was not the "best" tour or info session , but was the one that fit her . Her experience there was the most wonderful four years ever. She graduated in 2006, and our whole family misses it. My D became an educated consumer by shopping around.</p>
<p>I scheduled the spring break of my junior year as my college tour date. I limited myself to only applying to four, relatively local schools - so it wasn't a big deal. Some of my friends however, were hitting two schools a day and covering all of the east coast. I'd say take extra time to figure out what schools are really a match ahead of time, this way you don't get overwhelmed with all the visits.</p>
<p>I suggest reading this articles and other found on <a href="http://www.petersons.com%5B/url%5D">www.petersons.com</a>. they have a large selection of college information articles geared toward the students and their parents as well. they range from all topics in the college decision cycle.</p>
<p>Your Campus Visit Plan
<a href="http://www.petersons.com/common/article.asp?id=1394%5B/url%5D">www.petersons.com/common/article.asp?id=1394</a></p>
<p>Don't know if this has already been asked, but is it better if the prospective student make the arrangements for the college visit? I'm just wondering if the schools look more favorably on the kids who take the initiative themselves to set it up rather than relying on their parents.</p>
<p>Well, my son is a junior now, and I can see that it won't be possible to fit in all of the schools on the preliminary list next semester. They get one excuses absence per semester for college visits and a few of the school holidays will work. We'll do what we can. Thanks for the advice, everyone!</p>