Planning a College Tour Over Spring Break

Spring break will be here before you know it. If you are the parent of a high school sophomore or junior (or even younger), spring break offers a perfect opportunity to make your family vacation all about visiting colleges. You will be in good company as many high school students take this opportunity to check out different schools in order to determine which they want to apply to. Similarly, colleges know that students visit during this time and generally schedule plenty of campus tours and other informational sessions for families. See below for a few “must-dos” when you begin to plan this trip:

1. Brainstorm college choices with your child: It’s not realistic to expect 15 or 16 year olds to know exactly what they want to do in life or even where they dream of going to college. However, sitting down with your child and discussing what he or she hopes to find at a college may give you insight as to the types of schools to consider. Some students are excited about going to a large university with a big football team and a lot of school spirit while others prefer the idea of attending a small intimate liberal arts college. Some students may want to stay close to home while others yearn to venture across the country or to a state with a different climate. Finances may also be an issue, requiring that your student consider public schools or schools that they believe will provide financial aid or scholarships. It’s also a good idea for your child to talk to the college counselor at school or a private college counselor, who might be able to provide ideas of schools that you or your child wouldn’t otherwise consider. Once you’ve discussed all of these issues, you will have a better idea of where to focus your spring break trip.
2. Choose a geographic area: Spring break is usually only a week long, so it’s not realistic to think that you will be able to crisscross the entire country to see colleges from sea to shining sea. If your student is interested in staying in California, then a road trip throughout the state is a feasible way to see a number of schools. If you child is determined to go to an east coast college or perhaps one in the Pacific Northwest or some other region of the country, then plan to fly into a central location, rent a car and drive to several universities within a reasonable distance.
3. Plan ahead and reserve your spots: As mentioned above, spring break is a very popular time for high school students to visit colleges and universities. The campus tours and informational sessions will fill up. So the key is to plan your trip early in the year and go online to the schools’ websites to book your spots in a tour or session. If you are traveling with your whole family, be sure that you book spots for everyone. If you can’t find the information online, contact the university admissions office by phone to find out how to book tours. Additionally, make sure you book hotel rooms well ahead oftime for the same reason—you will be one of many families visiting colleges during this time of year!
4. Check out schools’ calendars: Colleges tend to have different spring breaks than high schools which means that you’ll likely be planning your visits when schools are in session. You should definitely double check, however, to make sure this is the case because visiting a college campus when the students are on break will not give you a good sense of what the campus is like when it’s populated and active
5. Explore beyond the campus border: Your child is not only choosing a school to attend for four years but also a new city or community. Do your research and find local places to explore such as popular restaurants, local attractions and other similar venues. Ideally plan to spend a day to a day and a half at each campus in order to get a full sense of both the school and the surrounding community.
6. Talk to students you know: If you or your child know students attending the schools that you are visiting, it’s a great idea to find time to meet up with them. Take them out for a meal or a cup of coffee and let your student hear from a a peer what it’s really like to be a student at the school. If you have time and the offer is made, let your child spend a few hours alone with the student to see the campus without the distraction of adults! Perhaps
   the friend can show your child where he or she lives, introduce some friends and explore other parts of the campus
7. Younger siblings – yay or nay?: If you have younger children, it will be up to you as to whether you bring them along on this college visit tour. If they are significantly younger such as elementary school or even early middle school, then they may not be ready for this type of trip and it might be best to see if they can stay with a friend or grandparents rather than dragging them unwillingly on this trip. On the other hand, if they are only a
   few years younger, then they will probably enjoy the college visits and it might motivate them as they enter the years when their academic performance really matters for college admittance.
8. Don’t overdo it: Spring break is usually only a week or two long. With travel time, whether by air or by car, there’s a good chance you may only be able to visit a handful of colleges. It’s okay. You may find other times during the year to visit schools that your child really wants to see. Or, if not, your child can apply to those schools anyway. If he or she is admitted, then you can plan a trip to see the school before a decision has to be made

Most importantly, make sure that you have fun! Preparing your child to head off to college is a monumental and exciting time for the whole family. Plan your trip well in advance to make sure that you are able to take a tour and attend an informational session at each of the campuses you visit. Plan activities at some of the local attractions and enjoy this special family time together!