Help me plan our spring break visits

[Anonymous]

OP, my family is similar. Our original plan for Spring Break was for both parents to start the trip while other child stayed with grandparents for a few days. Then DH goes home while DD and I finish the tours.
It was really hard to work through the logistics - the travel time eats up so much of the week. We couldn't leave younger child with grandparents long enough for DH to travel to New England, tour more than 2 schools, and travel back.
DD17 also gets tired (are you me??) and one tour/day is max for her.

When I look at the week DD is off from school, it was tough, too - not all schools have tours on all days, especially with Easter. Also, when I mapped out drives, some schools are further apart than you'd think (I was trying to make Sarah Lawrence/Vassar/Marist/Bard/Skidmore work, and it was a mess).

I'd do two things.

1. I'd make DD do more research into what she wants. I don't think someone who likes Syracuse would like Bard and vice-versa. If your criteria for visits now includes merit aid, there are a number you can remove - Skidmore, Wesleyan, Bard, in addition to the others you listed.

2. I'd consider breaking the trip up a lot more. It will allow your daughter to reflect and revise as she sees the schools. If she is like mine, she will hate the 5th school, no matter what it is, because she will be overstimulated by the 5th tour. We are FCPS, and there are numerous 3 day weekends (plus a 4 day weekend coming up) that could be great for tours. Some schools have Saturday and even the occasional Sunday tour.

And if she likes smaller schools, I'd add Clark, Mt Holyoke, Wheaton (MA) for more target/safeties. If she wants a bit bigger, maybe Brandeis? Nor a safety though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, my family is similar. Our original plan for Spring Break was for both parents to start the trip while other child stayed with grandparents for a few days. Then DH goes home while DD and I finish the tours.
It was really hard to work through the logistics - the travel time eats up so much of the week. We couldn't leave younger child with grandparents long enough for DH to travel to New England, tour more than 2 schools, and travel back.
DD17 also gets tired (are you me??) and one tour/day is max for her.

When I look at the week DD is off from school, it was tough, too - not all schools have tours on all days, especially with Easter. Also, when I mapped out drives, some schools are further apart than you'd think (I was trying to make Sarah Lawrence/Vassar/Marist/Bard/Skidmore work, and it was a mess).

I'd do two things.

1. I'd make DD do more research into what she wants. I don't think someone who likes Syracuse would like Bard and vice-versa. If your criteria for visits now includes merit aid, there are a number you can remove - Skidmore, Wesleyan, Bard, in addition to the others you listed.

2. I'd consider breaking the trip up a lot more. It will allow your daughter to reflect and revise as she sees the schools. If she is like mine, she will hate the 5th school, no matter what it is, because she will be overstimulated by the 5th tour. We are FCPS, and there are numerous 3 day weekends (plus a 4 day weekend coming up) that could be great for tours. Some schools have Saturday and even the occasional Sunday tour.

And if she likes smaller schools, I'd add Clark, Mt Holyoke, Wheaton (MA) for more target/safeties. If she wants a bit bigger, maybe Brandeis? Nor a safety though.

So helpful, thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would check first on the availability of tours (days and times) and go from there.

+1

[Anonymous]

Is she open to women’s colleges? Holyoke is likely a safety to target that offers merit. Nearby Smith might be a target to reach. I’m just guessing based on schools you’re looking at. Then UMass is there as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is she open to women’s colleges? Holyoke is likely a safety to target that offers merit. Nearby Smith might be a target to reach. I’m just guessing based on schools you’re looking at. Then UMass is there as well.

My sister went to Holyoke and I am DYING for her to apply to all three but she refuses to even consider an all-women’s college. My sister STILL has friends who are like family from 20 years ago. I think my DD would love Mt. Holyoke but she’s adamant and she’s a very strong personality - she knows what she wants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, my family is similar. Our original plan for Spring Break was for both parents to start the trip while other child stayed with grandparents for a few days. Then DH goes home while DD and I finish the tours.
It was really hard to work through the logistics - the travel time eats up so much of the week. We couldn't leave younger child with grandparents long enough for DH to travel to New England, tour more than 2 schools, and travel back.
DD17 also gets tired (are you me??) and one tour/day is max for her.

When I look at the week DD is off from school, it was tough, too - not all schools have tours on all days, especially with Easter. Also, when I mapped out drives, some schools are further apart than you'd think (I was trying to make Sarah Lawrence/Vassar/Marist/Bard/Skidmore work, and it was a mess).

I'd do two things.

1. I'd make DD do more research into what she wants. I don't think someone who likes Syracuse would like Bard and vice-versa. If your criteria for visits now includes merit aid, there are a number you can remove - Skidmore, Wesleyan, Bard, in addition to the others you listed.

2. I'd consider breaking the trip up a lot more. It will allow your daughter to reflect and revise as she sees the schools. If she is like mine

, she will hate the 5th school, no matter what it is, because she will be overstimulated by the 5th tour. We are FCPS, and there are numerous 3 day weekends (plus a 4 day weekend coming up) that could be great for tours. Some schools have Saturday and even the occasional Sunday tour.

And if she likes smaller schools, I'd add Clark, Mt Holyoke, Wheaton (MA) for more target/safeties. If she wants a bit bigger, maybe Brandeis? Nor a safety though.

She also will not consider Brandeis. WAY TOO MANY JEWS MOM (we are Jewish, lol)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, my family is similar. Our original plan for Spring Break was for both parents to start the trip while other child stayed with grandparents for a few days. Then DH goes home while DD and I finish the tours.
It was really hard to work through the logistics - the travel time eats up so much of the week. We couldn't leave younger child with grandparents long enough for DH to travel to New England, tour more than 2 schools, and travel back.
DD17 also gets tired (are you me??) and one tour/day is max for her.

When I look at the week DD is off from school, it was tough, too - not all schools have tours on all days, especially with Easter. Also, when I mapped out drives, some schools are further apart than you'd think (I was trying to make Sarah Lawrence/Vassar/Marist/Bard/Skidmore work, and it was a mess).

I'd do two things.

1. I'd make DD do more research into what she wants. I don't think someone who likes Syracuse would like Bard and vice-versa. If your criteria for visits now includes merit aid, there are a number you can remove - Skidmore, Wesleyan, Bard, in addition to the others you listed.

2. I'd consider breaking the trip up a lot more. It will allow your daughter to reflect and revise as she sees the schools. If she is like mine

, she will hate the 5th school, no matter what it is, because she will be overstimulated by the 5th tour. We are FCPS, and there are numerous 3 day weekends (plus a 4 day weekend coming up) that could be great for tours. Some schools have Saturday and even the occasional Sunday tour.

And if she likes smaller schools, I'd add Clark, Mt Holyoke, Wheaton (MA) for more target/safeties. If she wants a bit bigger, maybe Brandeis? Nor a safety though.

She also will not consider Brandeis. WAY TOO MANY JEWS MOM (we are Jewish, lol)

Brandeis is 35% Jewish.

[Anonymous]

You could do Wesleyan, then Conn College then Dartmouth on a Saturday. Based on the little you have said about DD, I think she will like Wes better than Conn College.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You could do Wesleyan, then Conn College then Dartmouth on a Saturday. Based on the little you have said about DD, I think she will like Wes better than Conn College.

This is an interesting idea. If we were to do one trip, we could do Home-Wesleyan-Conn College-Dartmouth-UVM-Home (is 4 too much?)

OR

Home-Syracuse-Ithaca-Cornell-Home

I am leaning toward one trip with me. DH is taking her to Oberlin and Keyon in a few weeks. He's not going to like letting go of all of the spring break visits but I think both of us trying to do visits is going to be too much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, my family is similar. Our original plan for Spring Break was for both parents to start the trip while other child stayed with grandparents for a few days. Then DH goes home while DD and I finish the tours.
It was really hard to work through the logistics - the travel time eats up so much of the week. We couldn't leave younger child with grandparents long enough for DH to travel to New England, tour more than 2 schools, and travel back.
DD17 also gets tired (are you me??) and one tour/day is max for her.

When I look at the week DD is off from school, it was tough, too - not all schools have tours on all days, especially with Easter. Also, when I mapped out drives, some schools are further apart than you'd think (I was trying to make Sarah Lawrence/Vassar/Marist/Bard/Skidmore work, and it was a mess).

I'd do two things.

1. I'd make DD do more research into what she wants. I don't think someone who likes Syracuse would like Bard and vice-versa. If your criteria for visits now includes merit aid, there are a number you can remove - Skidmore, Wesleyan, Bard, in addition to the others you listed.

2. I'd consider breaking the trip up a lot more. It will allow your daughter to reflect and revise as she sees the schools. If she is like mine

, she will hate the 5th school, no matter what it is, because she will be overstimulated by the 5th tour. We are FCPS, and there are numerous 3 day weekends (plus a 4 day weekend coming up) that could be great for tours. Some schools have Saturday and even the occasional Sunday tour.

And if she likes smaller schools, I'd add Clark, Mt Holyoke, Wheaton (MA) for more target/safeties. If she wants a bit bigger, maybe Brandeis? Nor a safety though.

She also will not consider Brandeis. WAY TOO MANY JEWS MOM (we are Jewish, lol)

Brandeis is 35% Jewish.

I know, but she has this idea in her head about what it is like and she won't budge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You could do Wesleyan, then Conn College then Dartmouth on a Saturday. Based on the little you have said about DD, I think she will like Wes better than Conn College.

This is an interesting idea. If we were to do one trip, we could do Home-Wesleyan-Conn College-Dartmouth-UVM-Home (is 4 too much?)

OR

Home-Syracuse-Ithaca-Cornell-Home

I am leaning toward one trip with me. DH is taking her to Oberlin and Keyon in a few weeks. He's not going to like letting go of all of the spring break visits but I think both of us trying to do visits is going to be too much.

I’m from CT and went to Conn. I would drive to Mystic, CT and spend the night. Then do Conn and Wesleyan - you really could do both in one day. Then head up to Dartmouth and then move to Burlington and do UVM. Burlington was fun when we visited last Spring Break - still cold but great restaurants. Also, look at the tour schedules. That is key. It dictated the order in which we did our visits for Spring Break. Availability fills up quickly during that time frame, so check back often if dates/times aren’t listed yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You could do Wesleyan, then Conn College then Dartmouth on a Saturday. Based on the little you have said about DD, I think she will like Wes better than Conn College.

This is an interesting idea. If we were to do one trip, we could do Home-Wesleyan-Conn College-Dartmouth-UVM-Home (is 4 too much?)

OR

Home-Syracuse-Ithaca-Cornell-Home

I am leaning toward one trip with me. DH is taking her to Oberlin and Keyon in a few weeks. He's not going to like letting go of all of the spring break visits but I think both of us trying to do visits is going to be too much.

I’m from CT and went to Conn. I would drive to Mystic, CT and spend the night. Then do Conn and Wesleyan - you really could do both in one day. Then head up to Dartmouth and then move to Burlington and do UVM. Burlington was fun when we visited last Spring Break - still cold but great restaurants. Also, look at the tour schedules. That is key. It dictated the order in which we did our visits for Spring Break. Availability fills up quickly during that time frame, so check back often if dates/times aren’t listed yet.

That's a good idea, I'm from MA so I know Mystic. My only hesitation about that plan is that the drive home from UVM is SO LONG.

[Anonymous]

Haven’t gone through all the thread but:

Rather than do two full round trips from the DMV (that’s twice as much boring interstate driving as needed), I’d do this as one long trip broken into two halves, one with each parent (ie, the parents would swap out halfway through). One half would be New England (Conn College, Wesleyan, Dartmouth, UVM), and one half central NY (Syracuse, Cornell, Ithaca). The Hudson valley schools (Bard, Vassar, Skidmore) can be tacked on to either depending on where you stay or schedule.

You could arrange a short family break halfway through where the handover occurs, with both parents. The Berkshires (Lenox, Stockbridge), or Saratoga (which happens to be where Skidmore is) or the Hudson Valley (Hyde Park, Rhinebeck, Hudson) have nice hotels and diversions, and could be a relaxing way to break the trip up. There’s also Cooperstown, although that’s a bit further west.

In addition to the other colleges I’ve seen mentioned above, on the New England part of the trip you might want to consider stopping by Trinity, which is right en route in Hartford. In central NY you might want to consider stops by Hobart/Wm Smith and the University of Rochester (which aren’t far from Syracuse/Ithaca). These are all fine colleges and while some commenters here might say ‘I don’t see that particular school for her daughter’ (who they’ve never met…), the fact is every school is made up of a lot of different personality types and majors. Who can predict when lightning will strike (ie she likes the school AND gets in..). At this point, better to cast a wide net.

If you think Dartmouth is such a reach as to be not realistically attainable, but still want to visit it, I’d not just wander around the campus (which is beautiful) but also focus on the tiny town, which is basically two streets and is smaller than most of the other places she’s considering. That way if she applies and doesn’t get in, you balance that bad news with ‘oh, but can you imagine being stuck in that tiny town for four years?’

[Anonymous]

As PP said, check availability first. I was surprised how fast the tours fill up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You could do Wesleyan, then Conn College then Dartmouth on a Saturday. Based on the little you have said about DD, I think she will like Wes better than Conn College.

This is an interesting idea. If we were to do one trip, we could do Home-Wesleyan-Conn College-Dartmouth-UVM-Home (is 4 too much?)

OR

Home-Syracuse-Ithaca-Cornell-Home

I am leaning toward one trip with me. DH is taking her to Oberlin and Keyon in a few weeks. He's not going to like letting go of all of the spring break visits but I think both of us trying to do visits is going to be too much.

I’m from CT and went to Conn. I would drive to Mystic, CT and spend the night. Then do Conn and Wesleyan - you really could do both in one day. Then head up to Dartmouth and then move to Burlington and do UVM. Burlington was fun when we visited last Spring Break - still cold but great restaurants. Also, look at the tour schedules. That is key. It dictated the order in which we did our visits for Spring Break. Availability fills up quickly during that time frame, so check back often if dates/times aren’t listed yet.

That's a good idea, I'm from MA so I know Mystic. My only hesitation about that plan is that the drive home from UVM is SO LONG.

PP here. We drove or UVM straight from DC. It’s long, but absolutely doable. Once you hit NY the scenery is so pretty on the way up to UVM. We stopped at Amherst on the way up.