Anonymous wrote:What are good times to do college visits? These posts make me realize we really need to visit a bunch of schools on the early side. DS thinks he know what he is looking for (big state flagship with great sports (as a fan) and great academics) but it sounds like so many people were so wrong about what they thought they wanted. I think it is just that so far my kids' only exposure to colleges in any way has been college sports.

as much as you can (though it is hard) try and visit on a weekday when school is in session. you can't know everything about a school from a tour but seeing it on as much of a "normal" day as possible is useful

What are good times to do college visits? These posts make me realize we really need to visit a bunch of schools on the early side. DS thinks he know what he is looking for (big state flagship with great sports (as a fan) and great academics) but it sounds like so many people were so wrong about what they thought they wanted. I think it is just that so far my kids' only exposure to colleges in any way has been college sports.

Continue from above. Kid really likes the residential college set up of Rice. 4000+ students seem to be a nice size. Close to NASA could mean better internship opportunities. My kid has high stats, but the admission team said that many students enter test optional and the atmosphere is chill, lay back and collaborative. I think my kid will enjoy the experience.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ +1 Feel like we need a whole new thread on best things we've seen on college tours, this one would be way up on the list. Hilarious!

UNC - liked the info session, tour was uninspiring (we didn't go in any building and the guide was not good at selling)

However, there was an elderly man who likes to walk his dog through campus and interact with tours. He stopped and had a conversation with the tour guide that ended with him saying that where the students end up attending, it should never be Duke. He should be on UNC's payroll.

Maybe he is.

Anonymous wrote:Went with my kid to Rice. I think this is it, it has it all and I am a very picky people. The nice safe campus with big old trees, friendly and curious students stopping to ask if we need help finding our way. Clear blue sky with mild weather. Eventhough it is in the middle of Houston, off campus Rice Village just looks like a college town with student friendly food and shopping. I suddenly felt sad that it is real now that my kid is leaving me. He has a good chance getting to get in if he ED2. I just felt a bit overwhelmed that this could be it!!

Are EVs permitted there ?

Went with my kid to Rice. I think this is it, it has it all and I am a very picky people. The nice safe campus with big old trees, friendly and curious students stopping to ask if we need help finding our way. Clear blue sky with mild weather. Eventhough it is in the middle of Houston, off campus Rice Village just looks like a college town with student friendly food and shopping. I suddenly felt sad that it is real now that my kid is leaving me. He has a good chance getting to get in if he ED2. I just felt a bit overwhelmed that this could be it!!

Really underwhelmed by Vandy and Amherst.

Anonymous wrote:^ +1 Feel like we need a whole new thread on best things we've seen on college tours, this one would be way up on the list. Hilarious!

UNC - liked the info session, tour was uninspiring (we didn't go in any building and the guide was not good at selling)

However, there was an elderly man who likes to walk his dog through campus and interact with tours. He stopped and had a conversation with the tour guide that ended with him saying that where the students end up attending, it should never be Duke. He should be on UNC's payroll.

^ +1 Feel like we need a whole new thread on best things we've seen on college tours, this one would be way up on the list. Hilarious!

Anonymous wrote:Auburn - shocked at how much we liked the campus. Pretty architecture, well maintained, compact, but not too small, all athletic facilities in the middle of campus, cute town. Maybe too far and too Christian for my Jewish kid, but one of my favorite campuses

UMD - another big surprise. Campus was much prettier and livelier than we expected. New engineering building is beautiful. Fingers crossed OOS kid is accepted

Penn State - absolutely loved this campus. In the middle of nowhere, but did not feel like it. Kids absolutely everywhere doing things - every pickleball court full, kids jogging, kids walking together and laughing, student union overflowing with kids chatting and studying together

Lafayette - such a sweet campus. Kids seemed happy. Likely too small for my kid

GW - DD loved the urban feel and being in the heart of DC. So much energy in the air. I was expecting to see a bunch of buildings, but we were all pleasantly surprised to see all the little squares, and hidden away places where students were congregating. Kids were playing hacky sack, students were walking and laughing together. Great vibe. Even saw an outdoor concert in one of the squares. DD still deciding whether to apply. Not great for engineering and pricey. If she doesn’t get into her ED school, she might.

Bucknell - hated this campus. So bland and flat. Town was awful. Seems like there is nothing to do and no where to go for fun. Tour guide instigated an altercation with a frat bro about why he stood her up the previous night in the middle of the tour. Lots of shocked tour goers. lol

Lehigh - also hated this campus. My DD felt like she had vertigo the entire time due to the heavy slope. So grey. Can’t begin to imagine this place on a cold, snowy December day. Not sure we have toured a more depressing campus

Drexel - we love Philly, but wow, this campus was awful. Especially compared to Penn right next-door. Not a space of green anywhere to be found. Lots of depressed looking students walking around alone. We couldn’t even finish the tour.

We have done a lot of touring. Hoping for this whole thing to end soon!

Love this post. Thank you !!!

Auburn - shocked at how much we liked the campus. Pretty architecture, well maintained, compact, but not too small, all athletic facilities in the middle of campus, cute town. Maybe too far and too Christian for my Jewish kid, but one of my favorite campuses

UMD - another big surprise. Campus was much prettier and livelier than we expected. New engineering building is beautiful. Fingers crossed OOS kid is accepted

Penn State - absolutely loved this campus. In the middle of nowhere, but did not feel like it. Kids absolutely everywhere doing things - every pickleball court full, kids jogging, kids walking together and laughing, student union overflowing with kids chatting and studying together

Lafayette - such a sweet campus. Kids seemed happy. Likely too small for my kid

GW - DD loved the urban feel and being in the heart of DC. So much energy in the air. I was expecting to see a bunch of buildings, but we were all pleasantly surprised to see all the little squares, and hidden away places where students were congregating. Kids were playing hacky sack, students were walking and laughing together. Great vibe. Even saw an outdoor concert in one of the squares. DD still deciding whether to apply. Not great for engineering and pricey. If she doesn’t get into her ED school, she might.

Bucknell - hated this campus. So bland and flat. Town was awful. Seems like there is nothing to do and no where to go for fun. Tour guide instigated an altercation with a frat bro about why he stood her up the previous night in the middle of the tour. Lots of shocked tour goers. lol

Lehigh - also hated this campus. My DD felt like she had vertigo the entire time due to the heavy slope. So grey. Can’t begin to imagine this place on a cold, snowy December day. Not sure we have toured a more depressing campus

Drexel - we love Philly, but wow, this campus was awful. Especially compared to Penn right next-door. Not a space of green anywhere to be found. Lots of depressed looking students walking around alone. We couldn’t even finish the tour.

We have done a lot of touring. Hoping for this whole thing to end soon!

Penn

It’s ugly and the vibe is mega cringe

Was surprised to find none of us liked Duke. I think the architecture made it seem too foreboding and the separation between campuses was not appealing to my daughter.

Anonymous wrote:William and Mary- loved, thought it would feel kind of provincial, instead felt a bit nerdy, academic and charming, in a good way

It is not for everyone, but it is such an underrated gem, particularly for VA residents.

Liked Vandy, Duke, Holy Cross, Davidson. Disliked Colgate and Villanova,