10 Tips for Taking the Best College Trip

Lately I have college on my mind. My daughter is a freshman in high school, and just started picking her classes for next year. As a former high school teacher, I know how this process fits in to the overall "plan" for helping kids get into 4-year colleges & universities. But class selection is just one piece of the college puzzle--it is also important for families to learn about the many options when it comes to schools. So as I start to plan some campus visits for my daughter, I thought I would share some of my tips and tricks for making the most out of a college exploration trip.

Tip #01: Do your research.

Before you even start planning your trip, it is important for you and your student to do some research about the schools that interest them. Look at their websites and read up on what programs they offer, the campus culture, and what kind of student body they have. This will help to ensure that you and your student don't waste precious time visiting schools that are clearly a bad match.

Tip #02: Choose the area you'll explore.

Once you have a list of schools to visit, it is important to choose the geographical area in which you'll explore. For example, if your student is interested in schools on the East Coast, don't spend your time touring schools in California. This will help to make sure that you see as many potential schools as possible within the timeframe you have. If your student is exploring many different areas, then you'll need to prioritize and make a few different trips.

Tip #03: Time your visits carefully.

You don't want to visit schools when they are in the middle of finals week or during a holiday break. Generally, college campuses are busiest from September through November and then again from January through March. Try to schedule your visits for mid-week and avoid the weekends. That is easier said than done, but it is the only way to truly get a feel for campus life.

Tip #04: Take a tour.

This one is pretty self explanatory! But make sure to ask questions along the way and take advantage of the opportunity to speak with current students and/or professors. You’ll definitely want to schedule these ahead of time—plan ahead and plan early!

Tip #05: Attend a campus event.

Many schools offer special events for prospective students, such as open houses, information sessions, or overnight visits. There are also sporting events, concerts, art galleries—campus life is full of things to explore. Attending one of these events is a great way to learn more about the school and get a feel for the campus atmosphere.

Tip #06: Don't limit yourself to campus.

Many colleges are located in great towns and cities. While you're on campus, take some time to explore the town or city as well. This is a great opportunity to get a feel for what life would be like if your student attends that college.

Tip #07: Eat on campus.

One of the best ways to get a feel for a college is to eat in the dining hall. Not only will you get a sense of the food, but you'll also get a feel for the student body. Are they all wearing designer clothes? Or are they dressed more casually? This can be a good indicator of what the campus culture is like.

Tip #08: Don't try to pack too many campus visits & tours into your trip.

You'll quickly become overwhelmed if you try to do too many college visits in a short period of time. It's important for your student to have some down time as well so they can reflect on the schools they've seen. I would recommend no more than one college tour/visit per day, and if time allows try to fit in a free day between each visit.

Tip #09: Set aside some time to debrief after each visit.

This is just as important as the college visits themselves. Have a discussion with your student about what they liked and didn't like about each school, and don't wait too long. Write it down so that you remember those initial feelings when it's time to make decisions down the line.

Tip #10: Make time to connect and have fun together.

This is a college tour, not a family vacation, but make sure to set aside some time for just the two of you to connect and have some fun. Go out to dinner, see a movie, or take a walk around town. This will help to keep your sanity during what can be an overwhelming process, and you'll be squeezing in a little extra love and quality time before they leave for school!

Bonus Tip: Outsource some of the planning logistics.

The whole process of helping your student choose their next steps can be stressful, so why not take a few extra tasks off of your planning to-do list? Dash & Ramble can help you plan your college tour itinerary, book your transportation & accommodations, and can provide ideas for making the most out of your time in a particular area. I will help to take the stress out of college touring and leave you more time to enjoy your trip--click here to get started!