How far in advance should we book formal college visits and best time of year (VA schools)?

[Anonymous]

We plan to do some informal tours this spring/summer with our sophomore so he can get a feel for what type of school (rural, suburban, big, small, etc) we would like to attend. We will narrow down the list based on that and what he wants to study for more formal visits his junior year. I'm hearing that formal tours book up very quick. We are looking at mostly VA state schools (and, likely, the two OOS state schools DH and I attended). Any advice on best time of year for visits and how far in advance we should book?

[Anonymous]

IME it's really only during NoVA HS spring breaks that they fill up quickly. If you want to do that, I'd start planning out ASAP.

[Anonymous]

I would book as far in advance as possible. Some schools even have multi-part visits--like a general campus tour, then a separate session for a specific major/college, then something else separate where you tour housing, etc.

The best time to visit a college is when they have class in session--so NOT during summer, or during their spring break. Luckily, college spring break is usually at a different time than most high school spring breaks, so that makes it a good time to tour.
Alternatively, if you have a day off in the fall or winter to tour, going on a day where there is a football or basketball game can be a fun way to see the school culture/spirit.

[Anonymous]

Love the idea of visiting when there's a home game. And good to know about the multi-part visits!

[Anonymous]

I wait until fall junior year for formal visits unless they are tagging along with an older sibling. Check your school schedule for fall break or long weekend in the fall and make sure the college has class in session.

As the PP mentioned, typically very few times involve planning more than a few weeks ahead. Spring break, Monday of presidents weekend, sometimes Fridays in Oct. Book those as soon as possible, ideally a month in advance.

[Anonymous]

If “informal tour” means just walking the campus, I’d suggest booking a regular tour instead. You learn a ton more. And they aren’t actually “formal” in the sense of anyone noticing your student or having to worry about making a good impression. You don’t have to dress up or prepare.

The schools where we just wandered around by ourselves, we learned very little. A lot of college buildings look basically the same.

[Anonymous]

Also check when your school year starts and the college calendar—we did UVA, for example, in the week their semester had started but before senior year started. Did weekday tour when weather was warm and enthusiasm was high, did separate Engineering tour the next day (I think it was a Saturday?).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If “informal tour” means just walking the campus, I’d suggest booking a regular tour instead. You learn a ton more. And they aren’t actually “formal” in the sense of anyone noticing your student or having to worry about making a good impression. You don’t have to dress up or prepare.

The schools where we just wandered around by ourselves, we learned very little. A lot of college buildings look basically the same.

Also, if you have an anxious kid it can be useful to “practice” on a school they aren’t actually interested in so they see what it’s like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Love the idea of visiting when there's a home game. And good to know about the multi-part visits!

we did this before junior year. we also just went to the campuses, walked around, went to restaurants, etc just to get a sense of the vibe. Did formal tours junior year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If “informal tour” means just walking the campus, I’d suggest booking a regular tour instead. You learn a ton more. And they aren’t actually “formal” in the sense of anyone noticing your student or having to worry about making a good impression. You don’t have to dress up or prepare.

The schools where we just wandered around by ourselves, we learned very little. A lot of college buildings look basically the same.

Also, if you have an anxious kid it can be useful to “practice” on a school they aren’t actually interested in so they see what it’s like.

Agree.
Also, you might be surprised and your kid will find they actually ARE interested in that school.