Visiting colleges as a day trip

[Anonymous]

DS is a junior, not sure what he wants in a school - has vague notions of being somewhere outdoorsy, in or near a small city, colder than here, with a sports team to root for. Maybe wants to study psychology. We haven’t visited many campuses so I’m thinking of schools we can visit as a day trip (or quick overnight) this fall to take advantage of some of the random days off since he has commitments on the weekend (club sport). Would the following schools present him with enough diversity for him to get a sense of what he likes or doesn’t on a campus? These aren’t schools he’d necessarily be interested in but I’m thinking just for exposure?

1) St Mary’s MD
2) University of Delaware
3) St Joe’s in Philly
4) West Virginia University

[Anonymous]

Pitt is in the city but very close to outdoors activities.

[Anonymous]

I think that’s a good mix of schools that are easy to get to and offer a range of size and feel. I guess I’d just say don’t pick completely random choices and make sure there’s a general reason or purpose for the visits (school would be a good safety, is the type of college he’s interested in, etc).

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks. My sense, based on location only, is that WVU is the only school on that list that he’s likely seriously consider. I’m thinking that he’s thinking more about Vermont, upstate NY, Maine, NH and schools in WA or Oregon but we can’t do those in a day or two.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t take him to any school you don’t want him to fall in love with and want to attend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t take him to any school you don’t want him to fall in love with and want to attend.

I’d be fine if he fell in love with any of those schools but only WVU really meets the “closer to mountains” criteria.

[Anonymous]

Theres a bunch along I 81 (in VA).
South to Radford, Ferrum, VT, VMI, Mary Baldwin, JMU, Shenandoah, off the top of my head.

[Anonymous]

We did Penn State as a day trip from DC.

[Anonymous]

Just curious what are his grades and sat/act or psat scores?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just curious what are his grades and sat/act or psat scores?

Curious as to why it matters for the purposes of this question…

[Anonymous]

Lehigh University is near mountains according to its webpages.

Looks possible to daytrip.

[Anonymous]

I would do WVU and then a small liberal arts college. That way you can rule out a big school or a small school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would do WVU and then a small liberal arts college. That way you can rule out a big school or a small school.

I know people saY this but I truly don’t get it. I remember visiting colleges and I’d hate one small school and love another, or same with big schools. Like just because you don’t like st Mary’s you’re going to write off all small schools?

[Anonymous]

JMU > WVU

[Anonymous]

Before I even did those, I'd do things that are super local. You can figure out big/small, suburban vs. rural, Catholic/public/secular private within an hour.

Unless you're already going to be in another city, I'd do some paired visits for big/small (UMD, and some place like Hood) Urban/suburban/small city/rural (Catholic or American, Hood, Shenandoah, Gettysburg).

Then go further afield.