When to start visiting colleges?

[Anonymous]

One in college and one HS junior, and while I wouldn't plan a trip to visit a college over Spring Break of sophomore year, if you were already going somewhere nearby a decent college, I would absolutely visit. Just so they can see a big school, a small school, an urban school a middle-of-nowhere school.

It can help them narrow things down for next year. Junior year, every time there was a half day, we took the day off and visited schools within driving distance (in PA, NY/NJ, VA and MD), every long weekend we'd fly to visit schools (many have more than the hour schpiel from admissions and financial aid on MLK and Presidents Day Mondays). Yes, pre covid. But, we are visiting now with current HS junior, and are glad things are open (and hope they stay that way).

[Anonymous]

I would start freshman year, very low key. No tours or anything out if the way but if you’re in another city make a quick walk or drive through a local college or university part of your trip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a teacher, can I suggest not during Junior year? It's a full load often and one of the most important for grades. With COVID, lots of kids did virtual tours and then only visited the ones that they got into - some colleges are still encouraging that.

No student is doing work all weekend every weekend. I have a junior and we've visited two schools this fall and maybe 2-3 visits this spring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love colleges. I don't know that with a sophomore I would necessarily go out of my way but if there's one that may be of interest near where you are - I might stop by.

I drove my 7th grader and his friend to an activity at local GMU recently and I talked to them about the campus / college life while we were driving through it.

We have nieces and nephews in college and we've visited them with our kids - even though our kids are too young to really be on college visits, but I don't mind introducing them to the idea of college in the future.

We’ve always done this - even when kids were in elementary school. And it’s how I was raised. - child of teachers

[Anonymous]

I would say too early unless you are already planning a vacation nearby or in the vicinity for some reason. Kids already get inundated w/ college worries way too early (mine included, I'm not saying you can or should avoid everything). Let them just focus on HS for now where they can. They are already thinking of college w/ course selection and maybe ECs. Besides, There is time in Jr year when they have a better idea of what they want and, as on PP said, will remember it better.

[Anonymous]

8th, 9th, 10th...if you can.

[Anonymous]

I can barely remember a college tour from this past July with my senior...years ago would be very difficult....

[Anonymous]

My current 11th grader got dragged as a 9th grader to an older sibling's tours (but I did tell him that's when his tours started!).

We would have toured schools in 10th grade but everything was closed. We did go to one school 2 hours away during spring break because he was interested. They were only doing tours for 11th or 12th graders then.

So this Fall, we prioritized going to the Open Houses of our state schools. We went to 6 of them and it was great to see how each school had something really good. I am glad we got those tours of the state schools and we don't plan to do anymore in the spring so he can focus on his school activities and AP tests. I do remember with my older kid that the Open Houses in the spring were limited to admitted students only. This summer we plan to do some road trips for out-of-state options. I've been looking at fly-in programs that he can qualify for as a URM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My current 11th grader got dragged as a 9th grader to an older sibling's tours (but I did tell him that's when his tours started!).

We would have toured schools in 10th grade but everything was closed. We did go to one school 2 hours away during spring break because he was interested. They were only doing tours for 11th or 12th graders then.

So this Fall, we prioritized going to the Open Houses of our state schools. We went to 6 of them and it was great to see how each school had something really good. I am glad we got those tours of the state schools and we don't plan to do anymore in the spring so he can focus on his school activities and AP tests. I do remember with my older kid that the Open Houses in the spring were limited to admitted students only. This summer we plan to do some road trips for out-of-state options. I've been looking at fly-in programs that he can qualify for as a URM.

We did a couple open houses this Fall too for my junior and it was much more useful than a basic tour. She had a firm academic interest and at the open houses was able to see special facilities related to that and talk with faculty of that program. Places where she did a regular tour she came away feeling like she wasn't sure what they offered in that program. I explained that's what the website is for or she could email faculty to answer her Qs but still it didn't not give as positive an impression from the visit.

[Anonymous]

I'm grateful that we started early with DS, since COVID hit the month before his spring break as a junior. Many of his friends didn't get to visit any schools before applying the following fall.

[Anonymous]

"I've been looking at fly-in programs that he can qualify for as a URM."

What is this? I'm a URM and I've never heard of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"I've been looking at fly-in programs that he can qualify for as a URM."

What is this? I'm a URM and I've never heard of it.

https://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/mycoalition-counselor-all/what-you-need-to-know-about-fly-in-programs

[Anonymous]

My kid didn’t have any interest until 11th grade. Our first outing was spring break junior year (during pandemic when only two of four offered in person tours). We visited a couple others fall of Senior year.