Anonymous wrote:Pitt, Towson, JMU, and SMCM (St Mary's in Maryland).

+1 SMCM. I loved that and DD liked it but I was disappointed that it fell out of her top tier

Furman University in Greenville SC was gorgeous

Pitt. Very friendly and nice campus.

UC Santa Barbara shocked me because the campus is a dump. Looks like a Marriott from 1982 that hasn't been updated and is visibly crumbling. Like, stucco chunks falling off the sides of buildings

The adjoining town -- Isla Vista - is a verified $h!thole with as many homeless men as students. Actual Santa Barbara, which is lovely, is miles away and not walkable.

No question, the OCEAN and shoreline are stunning. But the campus and student commercial area are literally decrepit

Davidson, it is beautiful!

Pitt gave an amazing tour. William and Mary- very engaging admissions team. University of Rochester- pretty campus.

Pitt, Towson, JMU, and SMCM (St Mary's in Maryland).

In the reverse:

UCLA---I thought the angels would sing. I'm brand new to tours but we visited a few over winter break. It reminded me a lot of UMBC (where I took night classes in my 30s). I'm not sure why but it just felt like a totally generic state school.

Pitt. The school spirit was palpable and the kids were SO ENTHUSIASTIC about the school and the city. It was contagious.

St John's College in Annapolis.

We visited because it was close, but honestly it was a safety and we didn't care, until we got to the campus. It was cute and tiny, and we were received with open arms. It's perfect for bookish kids who are looking for a small college where they'll get to know everyone.

They also have a campus in Santa Fe but we did not go to that one.

Thought UNC would be tremendous, but thought it was just perfectly fine (perhaps expectations too high based on what others said).

On the flip side, was really impressed with NC State. Thought the campus was a great physical size and really liked the area in Raleigh in which it is located. Had zero expectations of NC State since it doesn't seem to get much buzz...but really like it.

Following!

UVA...SERIOUSLY. I didn't want to like it.

My daughter went to a program in summer 21 at Radford. I was so pleasantly surprised by that campus. I wasn't expecting much, but it is very nice. The surrounding area is meh, but the campus is adorable.

Also liked what I saw of ODU when she did a program in summer 22 there.

We visited Meredith this past fall and it has a lovely campus. I had asked my daughter to trust me on that school because she wasn't keen on a women's college, but she loved it there.

I am curious for those who experienced visiting a school where you weren't expecting much and were very pleasantly surprised. We are just starting college visits with DS and am curious to hear about visits.