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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Op - I am absorbing and taking this all to heart. Is interesting, though, because I have also been told there isn’t much point to just self-touring an empty campus in summer because kids just can’t get any sense (vs a tour when campus is empty at least is more engaging, and a self tour when campus is hopping gives you a good vibe). [/quote]

Your instincts are good, OP.
As one who recently did this, here's my advice, FWIW.

1. [b]Most schools will excuse an absence if it's for a college tour[/b]. In addition, teacher work days can also be helpful. 
2. Since your kid's schedule is more intense in the spring, aim for fall visits this year (junior year).
3. You aren't necessarily trying to achieve every single possible school you kid will apply to, but it can be really helpful to get a variety of schools. Go to a big university. Go to a small liberal arts size place. Go to a school in a city. Go to a school in a small/rural area.
4. There are pros to both the weekday tour and the weekend "focus" weekends. Weekday tour definitely gives you more of a feel of actual life on the campus. Weekend focus days are a more orchestrated event, where you will see far more high schoolers and their parents vs. actual students. On the other hand it can provide access to certain things you won't get on a weekday tour. All of this will be laid out on the websites.
5. I really think there's very little benefit to going to campuses during the summer or during a fall/spring break.
6. We did a scattering of Monday, Friday, or sometimes weekend trips. Only one time did we go to two schools on same trip. Doing a week-long slog of jamming multiple tours just makes the whole thing a blur. Not really enough time to consider each school.
7. Make it fun! We saw some families that looked so stressed an miserable on the tours. Make it fun and low-stakes.
8. Do some financial research now. It's cruel to visit a place that your kid might fall in love with if there is no way you can pay for it.[/quote]

How do you know what 'most' schools will do? I think this is a wild assumption. I know Whitman wouldn't be pleased if you just fuked off on various college trips during sophomore and junior years. you have got to be insane[/quote]

We took off time three times while at Whitman a couple of years ago.  No blowback.[/quote]

yeah but were you honest about why or did you have imaginary deaths in the family and illnesses?  :roll: [/quote]

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