Juniors: Time to Plan your College Road Trips

Juniors, now is the time when you and your family should sit down and plan when and where college trips are going to occur. Time, distance, and cost are all considerations for families making college visits. But planning ahead is another element of approaching the application process wisely by being organized enough so that you and your parents are not constantly nagged by doubts and concerns.

With some dates in mind for visits, then check the website of each of the colleges you plan to visit to obtain dates and times for tours, information sessions, interview availability, and other opportunities. Make a reservation if required. Do this as far in advance as possible so you can get a spot on a date that works for your family. Some schools may not require you to reserve a space for info sessions or tours but ask you to let them know in advance that you’re attending. Do this.

If the college requires or strongly suggests an applicant interview, arrange an appointment for when you are on campus. There are usually a limited number of time slots for interviews, available on a first- come, first- served basis.

Not all students will have the resources to visit campus. If you are unable to visit the schools on your list before applying, you will have to use to research colleges through virtual tours, the college website, and by talking with local alumni, current students, and faculty (admission offces can often set up these contacts for you). Then make every effort to visit once you have been admitted. Some colleges are able to help a small number of admitted students visit by subsidizing transportation costs so let the admission office know if that is the case for you.

Check back next week for questions you should ask while visiting…

 

For more information about college visits, including what to expect and how to make the trip a great experience for the family, see Chapter 9, “College Visits” in College Admission: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step.

 

 

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