Did anyone send your kid out of town for college tours by themselves?

[Anonymous]

No. My twins visited with me. They wanted each other’s opinion.

[Anonymous]

Just because they're technically capable, doesn't mean this is a good idea. My kids would prefer me to accompany them, to be an extra set of eyes and ears, and reassurance on the way.

I think it's only a good idea if your kids WANT to do this, and have shown they can navigate their way in unfamiliar territory.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely not, no. Then again I know very few college towns that are not either dangerous or super rural

Huh? Which college towns are anymore dangerous than any other town in the US?

I mean, I wouldn't allow my kid to explore DC alone much less some other dangerous city, so I don't get your point at all.

Those of us that live in DC have our kids riding the metro alone or with a friend all the time…though yes in safer parts of town and generally during normal hours (they also are comfortable taking Ubers). Few would have problems if siblings visited Georgetown, GW, American, Howard, etc on their own.

So the point is you are fearful person…assume likely suburban.

Presumably your kids know and have been educated by you on the dangerous of DC. Mine have not and don't know the bad areas of DC much less other cities. That is certainly part of the college visits and education from me. We live in a town with our doors unlocked. That's not Boston, DC, NYC, or any other city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely not, no. Then again I know very few college towns that are not either dangerous or super rural

Huh? Which college towns are anymore dangerous than any other town in the US?

I mean, I wouldn't allow my kid to explore DC alone much less some other dangerous city, so I don't get your point at all.

Those of us that live in DC have our kids riding the metro alone or with a friend all the time…though yes in safer parts of town and generally during normal hours (they also are comfortable taking Ubers). Few would have problems if siblings visited Georgetown, GW, American, Howard, etc on their own.

So the point is you are fearful person…assume likely suburban.

Presumably your kids know and have been educated by you on the dangerous of DC. Mine have not and don't know the bad areas of DC much less other cities. That is certainly part of the college visits and education from me. We live in a town with our doors unlocked. That's not Boston, DC, NYC, or any other city.

So…you are a fearful person and your kids aren’t savvy travelers…not how the OP described their kids whatsoever.

So why are you commenting from a perspective that isn’t the OP or their kids?

[Anonymous]

OP here.
My kids would be Ubering from the airport to the college and back. Not exploring the entirety of a city by foot (or by Uber). If the college is located in a city that is so dangerous that a teen can't leave an Uber and walk a 1/2 block to Admissions then it's not a school I want them attending (and I attended Hopkins undergrad and would be fine with them doing this in Baltimore.) Just wondering what else I might be missing. Thx!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.
My kids would be Ubering from the airport to the college and back. Not exploring the entirety of a city by foot (or by Uber). If the college is located in a city that is so dangerous that a teen can't leave an Uber and walk a 1/2 block to Admissions then it's not a school I want them attending (and I attended Hopkins undergrad and would be fine with them doing this in Baltimore.) Just wondering what else I might be missing. Thx!

Your kids would be 100% fine with the travel and formal tour. The only question is whether they would learn what they need to learn about the school without your support. That's not about travel savvy and only you know the answer.

[Anonymous]

I think sharing impressions with someone else is helpful, noticing things the other person doesn’t. Just seems lonely solo. Could they go with their twin or a friend?

[Anonymous]

Also, seeing some of the town/city/surrounding area is pretty useful.

[Anonymous]

My kid went from nyc to dc by bus. Toured GU, GW and American. Stayed overnight at a friend of mine in Arlington but did all the travel and touring on his own.

My husband is very sick so I often can’t leave town. Not ideal but fine. But he’s a city kid so can handle a lot of travel stuff

[Anonymous]

I knew someone who sent her son with his two older sisters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.
My kids would be Ubering from the airport to the college and back. Not exploring the entirety of a city by foot (or by Uber). If the college is located in a city that is so dangerous that a teen can't leave an Uber and walk a 1/2 block to Admissions then it's not a school I want them attending (and I attended Hopkins undergrad and would be fine with them doing this in Baltimore.) Just wondering what else I might be missing. Thx!

I went to Hopkins too and while North campus is OK, you absolutely can get mugged within 2 blocks of north campus. The medical campus is obviously much more dangerous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely not, no. Then again I know very few college towns that are not either dangerous or super rural

Huh? Which college towns are anymore dangerous than any other town in the US?

I mean, I wouldn't allow my kid to explore DC alone much less some other dangerous city, so I don't get your point at all.

Those of us that live in DC have our kids riding the metro alone or with a friend all the time…though yes in safer parts of town and generally during normal hours (they also are comfortable taking Ubers). Few would have problems if siblings visited Georgetown, GW, American, Howard, etc on their own.

So the point is you are fearful person…assume likely suburban.

Presumably your kids know and have been educated by you on the dangerous of DC. Mine have not and don't know the bad areas of DC much less other cities. That is certainly part of the college visits and education from me. We live in a town with our doors unlocked. That's not Boston, DC, NYC, or any other city.

So…you are a fearful person and your kids aren’t savvy travelers…not how the OP described their kids whatsoever.

So why are you commenting from a perspective that isn’t the OP or their kids?

We've traveled the world together including unsafe places. That doesn't mean I'd send them alone to some of these urban campuses with absolutely no instructions or a person there to greet them. I disagree with the OPs approach.

[Anonymous]

My DC did a couple of solo trips by plane, but they were recruiting visits so the coach arranged the schedule and host students, as well as lodging. My other DC also did a couple of solo visits but stayed with friends who attended the schools. I wouldn't have sent either of them without some connection on the other end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely not, no. Then again I know very few college towns that are not either dangerous or super rural

Huh? Which college towns are anymore dangerous than any other town in the US?

I mean, I wouldn't allow my kid to explore DC alone much less some other dangerous city, so I don't get your point at all.

Those of us that live in DC have our kids riding the metro alone or with a friend all the time…though yes in safer parts of town and generally during normal hours (they also are comfortable taking Ubers). Few would have problems if siblings visited Georgetown, GW, American, Howard, etc on their own.

So the point is you are fearful person…assume likely suburban.

Presumably your kids know and have been educated by you on the dangerous of DC. Mine have not and don't know the bad areas of DC much less other cities. That is certainly part of the college visits and education from me. We live in a town with our doors unlocked. That's not Boston, DC, NYC, or any other city.

So…you are a fearful person and your kids aren’t savvy travelers…not how the OP described their kids whatsoever.

So why are you commenting from a perspective that isn’t the OP or their kids?

We've traveled the world together including unsafe places. That doesn't mean I'd send them alone to some of these urban campuses with absolutely no instructions or a person there to greet them. I disagree with the OPs approach.

Love how the story changes…first it’s we live in a place where we don’t lock the doors and now it’s we travel the world to all these unsafe places. Just go away as you and your kids have zero experience navigating outside your rural bubble and you don’t have anything to add here.

[Anonymous]

My kid is going to unicorn abroad. She went to visit that (and other schools) on her own. Friends hosted her sometimes. Life is an adventure. Raised adults, not fearful mice.