Look online and you will find a ton of helpful guides and checklists for making the most of your college visits. What you might not find is advice on how to make the most out of this time with your own children. Read on for my insider tips.
1. Communication is Key
Can you ask questions on the college tours, or will that humiliate your child? Discuss this with your kid ahead of time and come up with a plan so there are no distracting surprises.
2. Explore the Local Area
See the town. If you can swing it, plan to spend some time in the vicinity around the school. Grab a coffee or a bite to eat, browse the local bookstore and shops. Get the flavor.
3. Dining Experience Matters
See the dining hall. Even if this isn’t a part of your official tour, ask to peek into at least one dining hall—not just to see the food, but to get a read on the way students interact and the overall vibe of the place. Better yet . . . dine at an establishment on campus. Many of them accept cash.
4. Leverage Personal Connections
Work your contacts. The best way to see a school is to have someone who goes there show you around. If possible, try to meet a student (a friend of a friend’s kid is fine) who can talk to you and take you into a dorm or dining hall, even if it’s for twenty minutes. Buy this tour guide food or coffee as a thank you.
5. Hold Back Your Opinions
Try not to offer your own opinions on the school. Give your child lots of space to have their own feelings and reactions. You can break it down later. As you are touring, observe their body language and listen to what they say.
6. Time for Reflection
Debrief in the car. Have you ever noticed your kids are chattier in the car? There are actual studies that show kids are more open to communicating with you in a moving vehicle. Make it a tradition to talk through each visit during the car ride afterwards (or plane or train ride—whatever). Knowing you have a designated time to analyze and discuss the visit will alleviate some pressure during the actual tour.
7. Acknowledge the Uncontrollable
Accept there will be factors beyond your control. The weather will impact your feelings about a school. Your tour guide can make it or break it. There’s not much you can do about this aside from recognize it. If you have bad weather or a disconnected tour guide but you think the school deserves a second look, schedule another visit.
8. Enjoy the Journey
Visiting colleges can be exhausting, expensive and complicated to coordinate. Approach these tours as special opportunities to spend time with your child.
