<p>When is the best time to visit colleges when classes are in session? Should I visit before I'm accepted to the colleges I'm applying to (in the Fall) or should I wait and only visit the ones I will be accepted to (in the Spring)? I just don't want to waste my time visiting a college that might reject me, but I want to show that I'm interested, if that makes sense at all. I'm worried that there isn't enough time to visit all the schools between the time acceptance letters come and the time at which I have to declare the school I will attend.</p>
<p>It's all up to you. I'd recommend that you do it both ways. If there are any schools that are near enough for a short weekend trip, then I'd do that regardless of acceptance or not. Then you'd also save your time in applying if you find the campus to not be what you expected and decide that it's not for you. Later, when you get accepted to any far-off schools, you can take a Friday off of school for travel to those schools. If you have a spring break in April, then definitely take advantage of it! Most schools send the admittance/rejection letters by April 1, and acceptance letters must be responded to by May 1.</p>
<p>Here are two reasons to visit before you apply:</p>
<p>1) to show interest at schools where that makes a difference. . .most all LACs and some private universities</p>
<p>2) if you aren't sure that you want to apply to a particular school</p>
<p>I had a bit of a time crunch with the schools I was admitted to and being able to visit... in 4 or 5 weekends I visited 3 schools and went on an out of state orchestra trip, so I know what you mean. If you can, visiting twice is a great thing, but if not, look at your schedule and your school's exam exemption policies (I could only miss 3 days of school) and see how many weekends you have available. </p>
<p>Try to visit the school's info sessions if they have them in your city, because they can tell you alot and show interest without making the time/money commitment of flying someplace. See if the schools you're applying to have overnight stays with students, and if you can do them before you're admitted. Spending the night can give you a good idea about what kind of kids are at a school and what they spend their time doing.</p>
<p>Also, see if any of the schools have programs for visiting... I didn't know it, but if you are accepted by USC and a semifinalist for scholarships, you must visit but they will pay half your travel expenses if you book through their travel agent. That sort of thing might help you. It ended up coinciding with my spring break so I didn't have to take off any school.</p>
<p>Also, try to visit while there are kids on campus and not right before or during exams.</p>
<p>Start visiting as soon as possible. You are right to worry that April is not enough time to do your visiting and make a rational decision. You need time to absorb and process what you've seen. Also, last year, April had two major religious holidays, so the Accepted Students Days were the same time at half of my son's schools; if he had waited, he would have missed seeing a couple of them. Spring break of senior year feels like an odd time to visit, because your application has been submitted (so, no points for showing interest, and no material for the "Why College X?" essay) but you don't know if the rejection is in the mail, and the tension makes all planning stressful.</p>
<p>Instead, get a jump by visiting on Columbus Day weekend, teachers institute days, President's weekend, your midterm break,and possibly MLK weekend if the college has started classes.</p>
<p>Avoid colleges' orientation weeks, exam weeks and holidays. Create a schedule based on the schools' academic calendars; you'll see how your holidays can fit into the college calendars. Don't start with your "dream" school; everything else will pale in comparison. Start with a nearby safety or match school. You'll get better at doing the visits as you go along.</p>
<p>Some schools can be grouped, others are so isolated that they require their own trip. Some have convenient plane connections, some don't. Sit down and try to work out the best visiting schedule you can; nothing will be perfect. We found that visiting on a Sunday and staying over until Monday was a good way to get a sense of the campus life and academic life. Visiting on Fridays was not as productive; there weren't a lot of classes in session, and the weekend mentality was off-putting.</p>
<p>Don't overlook the idea of combinig trips with a friend. It can save you money and give you another perspective on what's important.</p>
<p>w a r p</p>
<p>If you can, of course visit befor you apply. Guaranteed, some schools will come off your list.</p>