Advice for first timers re college tours?

[Anonymous]

About to take DS on first colege tours. He is a junior. We have signed up for the information sessions and tours at a few schools, and he can sit in on a class at one. So do people just go for the organized sessions and then leave after two hours? Should we get there early or stay late to get a better feel for the campus, and if so,how do we do that? How many hours should we plan to stay at each school? Would it be a bad idea to try to do two close by schools in the same day (eg Haverford/Swarthmore or Hamilton/Colgate), or would that be too cursory to be useful? Would love advice. Also, kids can wear jeans, right?

[Anonymous]

I recommend eating in the dining hall - bring cash in case cards are not accepted, so try to come early for breakfast or stay after for lunch.

[Anonymous]

I've done Hamilton/Colgate in a day - twice... I think they even schedule it so you can do both as they are only about 30 mins apart.

I'd alternate a 2 a day with a 1 a day. Doing 4 in 2 days gets too exhausting. Over spring break we did 1 visit, day off, 2 visits, 2 visits, day off, 2 visits, 1 visit. Not sure I could have done another one if you'd paid me.

Allow time to stop in the bookstore, stroll through the town if there is one, and eat in the dining hall or in town. We found that after at least the first one or two that was enough.

[Anonymous]

PS - stay at the Arbor Inn when you visit Hamilton. Super friendly place next to campus.

[Anonymous]

Definitely wear comfortable shoes and the students can wear whatever the hell they want. They will be looked at as "you poor dude, i am totally rooting for you to get into college so you get away from a mother who forces you to wear khaki's and a button down shirt when you don't have to".

[Anonymous]

They all start to blur together after a point. So take a small notebook for notes (frats as pct of student pop, whatever) and take iPhone pics.

[Anonymous]

Do not plan on more than 2 a day MAX. Stop and talk to students, your son probably will not be happy but it pays to talk to current students not just look at the brochures of smiling faces. Eat in the cafeteria......observe and be comfortable!! I used my recording option on my phone a lot to remember everything and took short 15 min. videos of each school.

[Anonymous]

Good tips.

Take notes.

You don't need to stay for days, but do get a feel for the vibe of the school and the area. In addition to the official tour, wander campus yourself. Try to make some small talk wtih students in line in the dining hall.

Think about it the way you would if you were buying a house.

[Anonymous]

Ask whether the school tracks demonstrated interest. Some do, some don't.

[Anonymous]

The tours are often led by students and it's a good time to ask questions as you walk around campus in small groups.

Yes, eat in the dining halls. It's a good way to watch students interact and try out the food.

We only spent about 2 hrs. max at each campus and found it gave adequate time to get a good feel for the school.